The 2023 Honda Odyssey: The best minivan on the market?

For families needing maximum passenger and cargo flexibility, minivans like the 2023 Honda Odyssey remain tough to beat. While SUVs have certainly made inroads, the Odyssey offers compelling advantages that make it a top choice for parents hauling kids, gear, and everything in between.

In this post, we’ll highlight what sets the 2023 Odyssey apart. With upgrades including more tech, new styling, and revised trims, Honda continues improving on its successful minivan formula. Is the Odyssey still the undisputed leader of the minivan segment? Let’s take a closer look.

Interior Flexibility and Family Friendliness

The Odyssey shines when it comes to comfortably transporting families along with all their associated cargo. With seating for up to 8 passengers, multiple seat configurations, and vast cargo space, the Odyssey adapts to suit diverse needs.

Key interior features include:

• Easy access sliding side doors on both sides for loading kids and gear. These open wide for hassle-free entry.
• “Magic Slide” second row seats for customizable positioning or easy third row access.
• Flat cargo floor behind the third row when seats are folded down. This provides enormous cargo volume.
• Rear entertainment system with WiFi and available Blu-Ray player for keeping passengers happy.
• CabinWatch rear seat camera to keep an eye on kids.

Smooth and Powerful V6 Performance

The Odyssey retains its robust 3.5 liter V6 engine, which produces a strong 280 horsepower. This allows the Odyssey to get around effortlessly even when loaded up.

The responsive 10-speed automatic provides silky smooth shifts. Fuel economy is also impressive for the class at 19/28 mpg city/highway.

Handling leans more towards comfort than sportiness, with a softly tuned suspension that soaks up bumps and vibrations from the road. Ride comfort is a priority over quick reflexes for family-focused buyers.

Upgraded Technology and Connectivity

Historically, minivans lagged crossovers in terms of infotainment and driver assist tech. But the 2023 Odyssey gets modern upgrades like:

• A new high-resolution rear entertainment system with built-in Amazon Fire TV. This allows streaming popular apps for passengers.
• The Honda Sensing suite of active safety features like forward collision warning and lane keep assist now comes standard. Previously this was reserved for higher trims.
• A 9-inch touchscreen display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• In-cabin CabinTalk PA system for clearly communicating with rear passengers.
• Wireless phone charging and multiple USB ports keep devices powered up.

Refreshed Styling Inside and Out

Along with the new tech upgrades, Honda freshened up the Odyssey’s looks inside and out for 2023. Exterior changes include:

• A new front grille and front bumper design with chrome accents.
• Revised LED headlights and taillights.
• New wheel designs across trim levels.

In the cabin, upper trims gain a redesigned instrument panel, plus new color schemes and materials. The changes keep the Odyssey looking stylish and up-to-date.

Strong Value and Peace of Mind

While not the absolute lowest-cost minivan, the Odyssey delivers strong value by packaging many desirable features into the base LX trim, which starts around $34,000. Higher trims add amenities like a rear entertainment system, leather seats, a hands-free rear liftgate, and more.

The Odyssey also earns high owner satisfaction scores thanks to Honda’s reputation for quality, reliability, and strong resale value. This provides peace of mind for families keeping the Odyssey for years.

Is the Odyssey Still King?

The 2023 upgrades keep the Odyssey fully competitive with rivals from Toyota, Kia, and Chrysler. For those needing ultimate passenger and cargo flexibility, the Odyssey remains hard to dethrone. Clever family-friendly features, smooth power, and modernized tech make this Honda tough to beat.

While some buyers have migrated to crossovers, the Odyssey continues providing unique practicality benefits that SUVs can’t match. For those who still appreciate the superior family utility of minivans, the Odyssey should remain atop shopping lists. Test drive one, and you’ll quickly understand why.