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2013 Honda Odyssey Pros, Cons, Prices
And How To Get The Best
Out-The-Door Deal
(See Also: "How To Buy A New Odyssey At The Lowest Price")
While many seem deadset against even considering the purchase of a minivan, primarily for esthetic or lack-of-fun perceptions. The truth is, they are often the best available choice for active moms and dads who find themselves seemingly always toting around family, carpooling, shopping, transporting little leaguers, girl scouts, and so forth.
If this sounds like you, you very well may want to take a good hard look at the attractive and capable Honda Odyssey, a class leader thanks to its versatile interior, long feature list, engaging road manners and proven reliability and resale value track records.
Prospective buyers should also be aware, however, that the Odyssey is being redesigned for the 2014 model year, raising the question of whether to buy the 2013 or wait for the next version. It is not a major update, but it's styling will be tweaked and there will likely be a couple of new features. It will also likely bear a higher price tag, as is typically the case each model year.
The 2013, on the other hand, still possesses a modern look, is loaded with features and probably is available with larger discounts than normal as Honda needs to clear lots for the new arrival.
2013 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
That said, and although the Odyssey has a lot going for it, it's always wise to not only consider a vehicle's appealing characteristics, but to also measure the possible impact of its potential drawbacks before making a final buying decision. And then, if one decides to proceed with a purchase, it's essential to also have a rock-solid plan for getting the best possible price (see the "How To Get The Lowest Price" link below).
Pros:
Spacious interior with versatile rear seat rows: While the 2013 Odyssey’s size is on a par with most other minivans, its interior has been well designed to offer more leg room in all three rows than any of its competitors. And all models except the base LX, which has second-row bucket seats and a seven-passenger overall capacity, come with a second row with a small, child-friendly center section that ups capacity to eight. The outward sections can also slide laterally a bit ("wide mode") to accommodate three regulation child safety seats (two fit on the third row as well).
Overall, six adults can be quite comfortable, with the two center positions of the second and third rows left for children. And unlike rivals such as the Nissan Quest and Dodge Grand Caravan, the Odyssey's second-row seats can be totally removed, expanding its maximum cargo capacity to 148 cubic feet, while its innovative and now famous third-row "Magic Seat" makes folding it down flat into the floor quick and extremely easy.
Crisp handling: While its archrival, the Toyota Sienna, is more powerful, the Odyssey still offers robust acceleration around town and plenty of briskness for highway passing and merging. The Touring models sport a bit more responsiveness due to their 6-speed automatic transmission (as opposed the the standard 5-speed auto), resulting in both quicker and smoother shifting.
In addition, all Odyssey models are capably handling for a minivan, offering the quickest and most responsive steering in its class.
Comfortable ride: The 2013 Odyssey's ride quality makes for a pleasant experience. It's smooth and impressively quiet as road, wind and engine noise almost don't exist. Honda's active noise-cancelling technology does a wonderful job of electronically eliminating much of the interior noise most of us are accustomed to.
New base model features: Now even the base LX model comes standard with features such as a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, an 8-inch multi-function display screen and a USB input.
Solid fuel economy: Equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, the 5-speed automatic models (LX, EX and EX-L) get an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. The 6-speed automatic models (Touring and Touring Elite) are rated at 19 city and 28 highway.
2013 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite interior
Top safety scores: In government crash tests, the Odyssey was awarded the highest score of five out of five stars for overall frontal and side-impact occupant protection.
In addition, all models come standard with stability control, traction control, antilock disc brakes, front seat side airbags, active front head restraints and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows.
Cons:
Pricier than competitors: Prices for the 2013 Odyssey range from $28,675 - $44,025 (see below), placing it close to the top in this segment, behind only the more premium-themed Chrysler Town & Country, which starts at $31,525. But essentially it really is the priciest because the Town & Country comes standard with leather upholstery and a rear DVD entertainment system. An equivalently-equipped Odyssey would run for $38,055. Indeed, the Odyssey's stellar reputation for reliability and resale value comes at a price.
Some useful features not offered: The Toyota Sienna can be had with keyless ignition/entry, radar-based adaptive cruise control and all-wheel drive, none of which are available on the Odyssey.
Busy dash board: While most of its controls are logically placed, the dash can be a bit crowded and small labels can be hard to make out. The top-of-the-line Touring Elite, for example, comes with more that 80 buttons and dials.
Second row seats difficult to remove: If you need maximum storage space, removing the second-row seats is a heavy and bulky chore not everyone can do alone. While the Odyssey's second-row seats can be easily flipped forward to open up some additional cargo room, rivals such as the Nissan Quest and Dodge Grand Caravan have second-row seats that can fold down flat into the floor.
6-Speed automatic only offered on top-line models: While many competing vehicles have already been upgraded to 6-speed automatic transmissions, only the Odyssey's Touring and Touring Elite models are so equipped. The 6-speed not only downshifts more efficiently for better highway passing acceleration, but it also improves gas mileage.
Overall:
The 2013 Honda Odyssey remains a top choice in the minivan segment thanks to its capable handling, durability, interior functionality and comfortable ride. That said, some may want to also take a look at the Toyota Sienna due to its additional features and power, the Nissan Quest for its higher-quality cabin or the more affordable Kia Sedona and Dodge Grand Caravan.
How To Get The Lowest Price:
Best Negotiating Tactic: Well, there's definitely a 'best way' when it comes to new car buying. If you want to get the best bottomline, out-the-door price you need to know exactly who to talk to at the dealership, how to make the contact and how to make this person eager to quickly drop prices as low as possible to get your sale.
Here's the details on exactly how to get the best price on a new Honda Odyssey ... or any other vehicle.
Also, For 'Used' Car Buyers ...
Those of you in the market for a used car may want to check out this article about how to buy a used car at the lowest price. It details a super effective buying method, one that often beats down prices to wholesale levels.
And somewhat related to this, here's another excellent method that identifies Price-Distressed Cars Right On Dealer Lots. These are vehicles they are so desperate to unload they would welcome your wholesale offer.
In addition, you can also try Open-To-The-Public Auto Auctions in your own geographic area. While there can be a lot of junk vehicles at these auctions, there are often absolute gems sprinkled in as well. This article reviews what to expect at open-to-the-public car auctions and how to locate them in your own area.
