As with all Honda navigation systems we've looked at over the past years, this one works adequately, although the map resolution is poor, doing a poor job of presenting diagonal street names. It doesn't have advanced features, such as traffic reporting or text-to-speech for upcoming street names, but its points of interest database does stand out for offering a complete database of businesses and includes Zagat-rated restaurants. This navigation system didn't show any significant lags in calculating routes or refreshing its maps.
Audio sources in the Odyssey include a six-disc CD changer hidden behind the LCD that can read MP3 CDs, XM satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input, and a DVD drive at the bottom of the stack, although this drive is primarily intended for the rear seat DVD entertainment system. The voice command system works well with XM radio, letting you tell it which channel you want to hear. The audio quality was only mediocre, coming through a seven speaker system, which includes a subwoofer. The sound is fairly strong, as it uses a 360-watt amplifier, but we didn't hear good separation or clarity. The subwoofer added some richness to the sound without overwhelming it.
The rear seat DVD system uses a roof-mounted LCD that folds down with a remote controller that stows in the roof. There are wireless headphones so as not to distract the driver while the children are watching SpongeBob SquarePants for the ninetieth time. The position of the DVD drive, down by the floor in the front, isn't great, as it tempts the driver to reach way down to change discs. The drive should either be more accessible for the driver, or mounted in back where it won't offer any temptation for the driver to use it while under way.
The Odyssey includes a Bluetooth phone system, similar to what we've seen in many other Honda and Acura models. In keeping with the more recent of these systems, however, it offers a feature to import cell phone contact lists. As we've seen in other Hondas, the phone voice command controls are mounted on one side of the steering wheel, just above another set of buttons to control other car systems with voice.
A rear view camera helps when reversing, although there are no line overlays on it. Instead, the car has sonar distance warnings for when you are close to objects in front or back.
Under the hood
The 2008 Honda Odyssey's 3.5-liter V-6 delivers its 241 horsepower and 242 foot-pounds of torque smoothly. As we mentioned, this engine uses Honda's cylinder deactivation technology, called variable cylinder management, to turn off two to three cylinders, thereby increasing fuel economy. You only get this engine with the Touring or EX-L trim level Odysseys. The LX and EX versions use an older engine, still a 3.5-liter V-6 but not quite as sophisticated as the new one, with no VCM.
To smooth over any roughness from cylinder deactivation, Honda employs an engine mount system that uses solenoids. These mounts actively dampen vibration from the engine as needed. Going even further, a noise cancellation system listens to engine noise and sends a canceling frequency into the car. The result is a reasonably smooth ride and low engine noise. The suspension isn't the best we've ever felt, but it provides standard damping.
The shifter for the five-speed automatic transmission is high up, near the steering wheel, a good position for the driver. It offers drive mode and two low ranges, plus a special third gear range accessible by a button on its side. Call it a hill climber gear. When we first got into the Odyssey, we attempted a quick launch, but the car bogged down severely to the point we thought something might be wrong with the engine. But subsequent attempts delivered reasonable acceleration for a minivan, so we concluded the traction control stepped hard on our first attempt.
We wouldn't put the Odyssey through any particularly hard maneuvering, but generally it felt very drivable, a good combination between power and handling. Along with traction, it also gets stability control, plus a complete round of airbags around the cabin, including side curtain airbags that cover all three rows.
The EPA rates the Odyssey Touring at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Our total for mixed city and freeway driving came in at 19.4 mpg, not a bad number for a car that can transport seven people. It also earns a ULEV II emissions rating from California's Air Resources Board, one step better than the minimal LEV II rating.
In sum
As with its cars, Honda doesn't really offer a set of options for the 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring. Options are differentiated by the trim level, and the Touring trim gets it all, including navigation system, Bluetooth, and even the rear seat DVD screen. This whole package goes for the hefty price of $40,010, or $40,680 after adding the destination charge. By contrast, the bottom of the line LX goes for $25,860, although you don't get any tech in that car.
For the car's rating, we aren't really impressed by the look of the car, and the design of the electronics interface is weak. The buttons are jumbled and redundant functions look more like they are the result of systems being added in rather than a coherent design. Cabin electronics aren't bad--the car has all the major systems we look for--but they don't show off anything innovative, and aren't really up with the current trends. Performance tech in the Odyssey impressed us the most, as the engine delivered more than adequate power smoothly while getting decent mileage.
What You'll Pay
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