With its lightning bolt-styled belt line—the primary visual cue on the completely redone Odyssey—the U.S. designed, engineered and assembled minivan is 0.8 inches longer, 2.1 inches wider and 0.4 inches shorter than the predecessor. Odyssey adds more than 50 standard and optional features in 2011, making it the most luxury-laden Honda minivan yet. Interior pampering is omnipresent. One impressive feature is the spaciousness of 2nd row seating. Differing from the previous generation’s 2nd-row center seat, the 2011 version’s 2nd row center seat (offered on all but the base model LX) is 3.9 inches wider and adds the capability of being able to slide forward as much as 5.5 inches. Another new feature is the ability to widen the 2nd row by moving each of the outboard seats to the side by 1.5 inches.

Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 248 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 250 pounds-feet of torque at 4800 rpm. Standard transmission is a 5-speed automatic on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims and a 6-speed automatic transmission on Odyssey Touring and Touring Elite. The minivan’s independent suspension has MacPherson front struts and a multi-link in the rear. Odyssey retains its 118.1-inch wheelbase but widens the front and rear tracks by 1.4 inches, putting the front at 68.1 inches and the rear at 68.2 inches. Estimated mpg fuel economy on the Odyssey fitted with the 6-speed transmission is 19 city and 28 highway. MSRP of the Odyssey Touring Elite—which includes such standard fare as a 16.1-inch DVD rear entertainment system with HDMI port and wireless headrests—is $43,250.