2011 Honda Odyssey Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Honda Odyssey overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Odyssey, and includes Honda Odyssey safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Honda has introduced an all-new, completely redesigned, fourth-generation Odyssey for the 2011 model year.

Larger in nearly every dimension, the new Odyssey doesn't appear that way from first glance as new sheet metal does a fine job of hiding its bigger size. The designers of the Honda's newest minivan have penned a more stylish and distinctive looking people mover. Most notable is the "lightning-bolt" beltline, with a unique notched drop at the C-pillar. Other changes include exterior door handles that have been moved together on each side, and a more aggressive front end.

The interior has moved upscale, with welcomed influence from the automaker's premium Acura brand. The center stack controls are easier to use, with audio and climate functions moved more closely together and round knobs replacing toggle switches for temperature adjustments. The analog tachometer and speedometer are easier to read, now joined by analog coolant temperature and fuel level gauges on each side. Even though all models share the same basic primary instrumentation, the multi-information display centered on the top of the dashboard varies by model. The standard model (LX trim) has a single-line segment readout while the mid-grade models (EX) receive a three-line readout. The high-grade models (EX-L and Touring) are offered with a full-color, eight-inch display delivering a range of graphics including navigation and imagery.

While Honda's familiar 3.5-liter V6 returns, with standard Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and technological tweaks to deliver even better fuel economy, the expensive PAX run-flat system from Michelin has been dropped.

Expanding the lineup over last year, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is offered in seven different models (LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L RES, EX-L NAV, Touring and Touring Elite). Platforms and powertrains are all very similar, but equipment levels are not.

Entry-level LX models are configured with standard cloth upholstery, a driver's seat with eight-way power adjustment, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, front and rear air conditioning, privacy glass, a 229-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with five speakers and a subwoofer, and Honda’s handy third-row "Magic Seat." Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Active Control Engine Mounts (ACM) are standard to quiet the cabin, and all LX models are fitted with 17-inch steel wheels with full covers.

Mid-grade EX models add to the LX with power sliding side doors, an alarm system, tri-zone automatic climate control, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, a driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment, an upgraded audio system with 2GB memory storage and seven speakers, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The EX-L model adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a front passenger’s seat with 4-way power adjustment, a power tailgate, a power moonroof, a rearview camera with an eight-inch in-dash display, cool box storage, and a better sound system with satellite radio, a USB input, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity. The EX-L RES is configured with a DVD-based rear entertainment system, while the EX-L NAV features Honda's satellite-linked navigation system and a 246-watt AM/FM/CD/hard disk drive 15GB memory (HDD) audio system with 7 speakers.

The Touring model is fitted with the rear entertainment, navigation, and HDD premium sound systems, plus heated power side mirrors, an acoustic windshield, a 115-volt outlet in the third-row seat, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver's seat and side mirrors. The wheels are upgraded to 18-inch alloys.

The Touring Elite model builds on that equipment with HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps, a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), an Ultrawide rear entertainment screen with an HDMI input, and an upgraded 650-watt AM/FM/CD/hard disk drive 15GB memory (HDD) premium audio system with 12 speakers and 5.1 surround sound theater mode.

Like its predecessor, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. However, unlike last year, the automaker has made its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology standard across the board (it was formerly only offered on the higher trim lines). While the basic engine technology is carried forward from the 2010 model, Honda has made a few tweaks to refine its operation and increase power. Honda says the V6 delivers 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque on regular unleaded fuel (last year's models were rated at 244 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque).

All Odyssey models are front-wheel drive, and Honda does not offer all-wheel drive like some of its competition. The standard transmission on the lower trim levels (LX, EX, EX-L) is a five-speed automatic, while a more efficient and smoother-shifting six-speed automatic is standard on the top trim levels (Touring and Touring Elite). Compared to the five-speed, the gearing on the six-speed transmission is lower in first through fifth to improve acceleration, and taller in sixth to boost fuel economy.

The Honda Odyssey is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. According to the EPA, the 2011 Odyssey LX, EX, and EX-L models (with the five-speed automatic transmission) are rated at 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The 2011 Odyssey Touring models (with the six-speed automatic transmission) are rated at 19-mpg city and 28-mpg highway.

Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Honda Odyssey includes six airbags (including three-row side curtain airbags with rollover deployment) and active front seat head restraints. In addition, the minivan is equipped with traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist. The new Odyssey is designed to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) standards, which provides a body structure that is crash-compatible with a wider variety of vehicles, is designed to deflect crash energy away from occupants during a crash, and is kinder to pedestrians that might be hit.

When it comes to crash testing, the Odyssey performs impressively. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)*, the 2011 Honda Odyssey earns 5-Star ratings in both the frontal- and side-impact crash test evaluations and it gets a 4-Star rating in the rollover resistance assessment. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also tested the 2011 Honda Odyssey, and the van receives the agency's highest rating in all four categories: Good for its performance in the frontal offset crash test, Good for its performance in side-impact crash testing, Good scores for rear crash injury protection, and Good scores for its roof strength. The 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan is called a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Though the previous-generation Odyssey suffered a spotty dependability record, the all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is expected to deliver favorable reliability. Independent reporting agency Consumer Reports doesn't rate the 2011 Odyssey, citing the model as new and lacking a track record). However, J.D. Power and Associates predicts that the Odyssey will deliver and above-average dependability performance.

* Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and rigorous new 5-Star Safety Ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crash avoidance technologies. Because of the more stringent tests, ratings for 2011 and newer vehicles should not be compared to ratings for 1990-2010 models.

Honda's latest incarnation of the popular Odyssey minivan is designed to be stylish, sporty, fuel efficient, and safe — and it does all very well. The new style is defined by the prominent (and somewhat controversial) "lightning-bolt" beltline that adds some needed distinctiveness to the model. The sport is delivered through unique suspension tuning, making the minivan one of the most responsive and enjoyable to drive when compared to its competitors. The fuel efficiency is a result of engine fine-tuning, combined with the automaker’s VCM technology. Lastly, safety is addressed with Honda's ACE body structure — and near-perfect crash test scores. Vehix strongly recommends the 2011 Honda Odyssey.

By Michael Harley