Competitor Showcase: The 2009 Honday Odyssey

Considering a Honda Odyssey? Drive These Minivans Before You Buy.

Crossovers and SUV’s might have stolen some of their thunder, but the minivan market is still a very competitive segment of the automotive industry. Those car companies which have kept the faith and continued to release new generations of minivans have had to ensure that each ensuing vehicle is that much more advanced than the one which preceded it.

Starting at $26,355, the 2009 Honda Odyssey is one of the leaders when it comes to solid minivan design, functionality and innovation. The Odyssey has been a favorite amongst van buyers for close to a decade, and there are several reasons why it continually finds itself leading the minivans sales charge. The 7 passenger vehicle comes in several different trim levels, ranging from the base LX (which includes cloth seats, rear air conditioning, power everything and cruise control), on up to the Touring (sport suspension, navigation, heated leather memory seats, DVD entertainment system for rear passengers). Cargo space maxes out at 147 cubic feet, and the van also features a 38 cubic foot ‘trunk’ behind the final row of seating.

In the engine bay, all editions of the 2009 Honda Odyssey make use of a 3.5 liter V6 that is capable of producing 244 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The EX-L and Touring trims avail themselves of i-VTEC and Honda’s variable cylinder management to both reduce fuel consumption and improve torque to 245 lb-ft. A 5-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available for this front-wheel drive van, and fuel economy is rated at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway for the higher trim levels.

The 2009 Honda Odyssey is an excellent family transportation choice, but before deciding on which van would best fit the needs of your family it would be a good idea to give the following four vans a test drive. Each has its own unique features and options which contrast against the Honda and which could make them a better match for your own personal driving needs.

2009 Toyota Sienna

As expected, Toyota’s contribution to the minivan battle royal is an extremely well built vehicle that offers a bulletproof drivetrain and excellent road manners as part of its overall package. The 2009 Toyota Sienna is often found neck and neck with the Odyssey in year-end best of breed polls, and for good reason. The Sienna seats up to 8 passengers with a good amount of comfort, and the rear-most row folds flat into the floor to make it easy to transport bulky materials, giving a versatility normally reserved for larger crossovers. In terms of overall cargo space, the Sienna is only slightly roomier than the Odyssey, although the room between the third row and the hatch is a more appreciable 5 cubic feet larger.

The base Sienna CE is well equipped, providing dual climate controls with air conditioning, an MP3-capable stereo and second row captain’s chairs. The upscale Limited trim throws in such exotic fare as laser-guided cruise control, HID headlights, a moon roof and optional sonar parking assist for both front and rear. In terms of power, the 2009 Toyota Sienna does not disappoint. It too makes use of a 3.5 liter V6 engine, this one making 266 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque – a clear winner when compared to the Odyssey. The Sienna is also available with all-wheel drive, something that the Honda cannot match. This gives the Sienna a definite edge in snow-belt markets. A 5-speed automatic transmission handles the gear shifting duties, and fuel mileage for the van is rated at 17 miles per gallon around town and 23 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2009 Toyota Sienna is a good choice for van drivers needing a little more power and a lot more grip in order to haul their brood to soccer practice or pick up a load of supplies from the local Costco.

2009 Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler’s main claim to fame in the minivan arena has been its devotion to brainstorming new and novel ways to accommodate passenger and driver needs. The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country continues this tradition with two features that were revolutionary when first introduced. The first is called Stow ‘n Go, which gives van owners the ability to fold all seats behind the driver flat into the floor. The second is Swivel ‘n Go, which allows the rear seats to turn and face a table in the middle of the passenger compartment for picnicking, drawing or whatever else might entertain the rug rats on a road trip. These options cannot be ordered together, however. The van’s 140 cubic feet of total cargo space is fairly standard, but its 32.3 cubic feet of trunk space is outstanding. The vehicle can handle up to 7 passengers.

The 2009 Town & Country offers 3 engine options. Lower trim levels can choose from either a 3.3 liter V6 which provides 175 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.8 liter V6 rated at 197 horsepower and 230 lb-ft. A 4.0 liter V6 which was introduced in 2008 is the best choice for motivating the large van, and it can be found in the more upscale editions of the vehicle where it makes 251 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for this engine is a very reasonable 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The small V6 is saddled with a 4-speed automatic transmission, but all other engines are yoked to a 6-speed automatic unit.

The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country might not be as dynamically interesting to drive as the Odyssey, but the flexibility of its interior design makes it worth a long look from families on the go.

2009 Nissan Quest

Nissan’s minivans have always tended towards providing an engaging driving experience, and the 2009 Nissan Quest is no exception. Based on the same platform used for the Maxima sedan, the Quest is somewhat unusual looking but definitely quick – its 3.5 liter V6 engine is the same one that is shared across the entire line of Nissan vehicles, include its sports car offerings. With 235 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque, acceleration is not overwhelming but its great chassis and smooth 5-speed automatic transmission really take much of the pain out of driving a minivan and give drivers a feeling might even border on euphoric. Fuel mileage for the minivan is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon during highway cruising.

Inside, the 2009 Quest is also impressive. Overall cargo space is good, coming in at 148 cubic feet, and while the interior doesn’t offer any of the gee-whiz features found in the Town & Country or provide the same ease of configuration as the Odyssey, but the unique styling of the passenger compartment is something to behold. Its third row of seating is also very comfortable for adults, which is rare in the world of minivans. The base Quest can accommodate 7 passengers and includes cloth seats, rear air conditioning, and power windows and door locks, while the most expensive version of the van, the Quest 3.5 SE offers standard leather seats, and a very nice panoramic glass roof.

The 2009 Nissan Quest stands out from other minivans in terms of looks and design philosophy. It may be able to take the place of a sporty sedan when passenger room takes precedence over pure performance.

2009 Mazda MAZDA5

Bigger is not always better in the world of minivans. Some families are looking for a versatile vehicle with good interior room but a small footprint to make it easier to park downtown or thread through heavy urban traffic. The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 is noticeably smaller than any other vehicle on this list, and seats 1 less passenger than the Odyssey, but its tall greenhouse firmly plants it in minivan territory. The Mazda5 is also far less expensive than the Honda, and this is reflected in the quality of the interior materials. Seats are decent and finish is good, but the Mazda5 is not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination. The entry-level Sport trim is fairly simple, with cloth seats and a 6-CD changer, while the top level Grand Touring is decked out with leather, HID headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Total cargo space is 70 cubic feet, with a tiny 4 cubic foot trunk and a third row of seating that is best left to carting around children.

All versions of the 2009 Mazda5 feature a 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine that cranks out 153 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Unlike most minivans, the Mazda can be ordered with a 5-speed manual transmission, although a 5-speed automatic is also available. Front-wheel drive only, the van’s small power plant translates into great fuel mileage: 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The Mazda5 is not a sports car no matter what Mazda’s advertising might claim, but its compact shape offers a tighter ride than many other minivans.

The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 is much smaller than the Odyssey, or indeed any other minivan on the market, but this works in its favor in terms of appealing to families not interested in piloting a land yacht. Its inclusion on this list helps to provide a counterpoint to the growing size of minivans in North America.