Honda Odyssey J EX-V: Getting a leg up

Top Stories

Honda Odyssey J EX-V: Getting a leg up

The Honda Odyssey J EX-V gives us more reasons to appreciate MPVs - beyond the basic abilities of carting people and luggage around

by

George Kuruvilla

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Thu 1 Dec 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 2 Dec 2016, 1:00 AM

In a city where four-door coupes, muscle cars and off-road specials rule the roost, Multi-Purpose Vehicles, or MPVs, don't exactly fit in. In fact, they are rarely discussed - and even jeered at - in car communities. You never see them on billboards and their sales are done almost discreetly. That's because, as functional as they may be, only a few large families (and even fewer establishments) tend to opt for the category. To top it off, the frumpy design that MPVs usually employ leave few wanting to associate themselves with them. But Honda now has something to say about all that - they believe their newish Odyssey J is sure to change the way we perceive the MPV. For us, there's only one way to find out.

DESIGN & AESTHETICS
The MPV has been designed to serve beyond the capabilities of the 5-seater sedan. But it is not to be confused with minivans like the Nissan Urvan and the Toyota Hiace, which are basically soapboxes on wheels. Though MPVs are vans as well, they are better styled - usually by way of having a sedan's face grafted into their body and by offering more conveniences and features. Despite this, they are not much to look at either. The rather chic and fashionable Odyssey J, however, which was initially manufactured for the 'JDM' or Japanese Domestic Market, begs to differ.
At 4,830 mm length, it is roughly the length of a mid-size sedan and is less van-like. It is easier on the eye simply by being more compact than the full-size, V6-powered, American-built, clunky Odyssey. But that's not all. It has a raked frontal facade, embellished with a large expanse of chrome - which, to many, may look like a superior aftermarket job. The grille is tall and wide, and prepped with metallic sloped slats that cover up the opening to the engine bay. All models get the glamorous tick-mark-shaped LED daytime running lights, but the sparkly LED headlamps are reserved for the range-topper EX-V model. Together, these elements of light and chrome create a sporty front fascia - but, to be frank, it isn't too different from a racy Civic Type R.
The character lines that stretch across the hood and door panels take away the car's flat-panel look, and you have blacked-out pillars and some sporty 5-spoke 17-inch alloys to further raise its appeal. Even the treatment to the rear end is noticeably stylised, thanks to the LED tail lamps - standard across all models - that have an interesting motif of slanted parallel lines. This is no soapbox with a raked bonnet. it's a sporty and purposeful-looking vehicle. (And it's a miracle how the Odyssey J has made a white Honda look desirable!)
The exterior design is based on the "Solid Streamline" concept with an ultra-low platform that helps it achieve sleeker, more elegant proportions, while still being space-conscious. The ultra-low floor sits only 300mm above the ground and helps ease passenger entry and exit - a real boon for elderly folks and tiny tots. But that also means there's a possibility of doors scraping curbs and the front chin scraping sharper inclines.
The Odyssey J's power-operated sliding doors add to the ease of use - except that when the door is in motion, it's best not to change your mind and tug it the other way. The fold or channel that you see at the beltline, tending to the rear of the J, makes a path for the door sliding mechanism - but also for an interesting design cue.
The interior has been based on the "Modern Suite Room" concept. It's a bit of a playground for the under-10s if you don't have them strapped in, so we implore you to do so. The EX-V seats seven passengers and is aided by comfortable Captain's chairs in the second row, with armrests and retractable ottomans for extra shin or calf support - which would definitely come in handy when you drop down the back rests to achieve an almost flat position. But if you prefer 8-seater capacity, you can downgrade and get the EX grade with a bench in the second row. Thanks to the space between the front seats, drivers can use it to get to the second or even third rows - making it easy for a parent to tend to their child without actually having to get out. The third row, however, is a space for either two adults or three kids.
It's a familiar cabin with chic styling, filled with high quality materials that are not necessarily luxurious. But that is what you pay for in a Honda: quality and durability. The 4-spoke steering looks similar to that in an Accord - a good thing, considering it is sized right and good to grip. It is
also unusually equipped with more buttons than on the centre console.
The centre console and the dashboard, in general, have a 3-tier layout, its leather mimicking ivory panelling with fake stitching - like that on a Toyota Camry (only better). The middle tier comprises chunks of faux wood accents on the door and stretches across the dashboard. It houses the raked centre console and the short shifter for the transmission, while the lower tier is grey plastic, but has a resilient quality about it. Also, neatly incorporated into the centre console is a 7-inch touchscreen display - but we're not big fans of its operation, as it lacks intuitiveness and the touchscreen isn't sufficiently sensitive.
The piece de resistance is the extendable tray at the bottom of the centre console, where you can place your devices and conveniently connect to two USB ports, a power outlet and an HDMI port.

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
Over the front axle is a 2.4-litre, DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with Earth Dreams Technology, which makes a purposeful 173hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm of maximum torque at 4,000 rpm. Given its very domestic purpose, they've equipped it with a CVT. No double clutch gearbox needed here!
The Odyssey J may not be a high-speed vehicle but it delivers general power with enthusiasm, especially within the city, where short bursts are required - and even up to highway speed limits.
With the rather large 2,900 mm wheelbase and conventional - but optimally damped - suspension setup that places MacPherson struts upfront and a torsion beam at the rear, we were riding smoothly over bumps on most road surfaces, much like a full-size sedan. You combine that with great all-round visibility, a steering that is decently weighted and an obedient chassis that will follow where you lead - and you will be surprised at how much speed you can carry through corners. This surprising handling prowess makes you crave the 3.5-litre V6 from the larger Odyssey.
With one or two people on board, we had no issues bringing the car to a halt, thanks to disc brakes on all four corners. However, the real challenge for the Odyssey J (or any other MPV or SUV) is how it performs when fully loaded i.e. with eight passengers and, say, a couple of suitcases - but that was not something we had the opportunity to explore.
Theoretically, the Odyssey J has a range of 775 kms between fuel fill ups, if you take into consideration the 55-litre tank and the claimed 7.1L/100km fuel economy figure. In our daily escapades, we were achieving figures closer to 11L/100km, which translates to the 500-kilometre range. Even though the optimistic manufacturer claims were not met, this is a reasonably frugal car - one that won't let you feel the pinch while driving around.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
The Japanese reputation for technological advancement precedes them - and it shows in the safety and reliability their vehicles come equipped with. The Odyssey J is equipped with Honda's Advanced Compatibility EngineeringT (ACET) body structure technology that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility. Also included are active-safety features such as the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS), Electronic Brake Distributor (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Blind Spot Information (BSI) System and six SRS air bags. It has been awarded the 5-star rating from the ASEAN NCAP as well as the Australasian New Car Assessment Program for superior Adult Occupation Protection and Safety Performance.
Being an MPV, the Odyssey J's forte lies in its cargo capacity and flexibility of space. Even with all three rows up, you have 330 litres at your disposal that can fit two large suitcases. Use it as a 4- or 5-seater and you have as much as 1,332 litres, which can easily swallow light furniture, potted plants etc.
The Odyssey J boasts several other conveniences that are more than just namesakes, such as smart entry, push button, rear view camera, cruise control, ISOFIX mounts for child seats etc. You get a 6-speaker audio system that has good output and clarity; the Bluetooth connectivity is easy to connect to and makes streaming music easy. The electrostatic touch type A/C control panel isn't our favourite interface, but there are several well-distributed vents in all three rows and the air-con ranks well on draft and chill factor.

VERDICT
In the 70s and 80s, MPVs like the GMC Vandura and Volkswagen Type 2 were popularised by The A-Team and Scooby-Doo series. But that culture never really caught on in the Middle East. Here, they are still looked at as ugly boxy shells with wheels. The 2016 Honda Odyssey J is unexpectedly desirable, thanks to its sleek, chrome-laden, chic exterior that raises the bar for MPV aesthetics - and its surprisingly sporty drive. Being an MPV made by this particular manufacturer, you can expect a very spacious and functional interior with unparalleled quality and reliability, overall. We just hope that Honda changes the infotainment interface soon!
wknd@khaleejtimes.com


More news from