Although today’s families are more interested in crossovers and SUVs, the market for minivans is still very competitive despite fewer options. A constant? The excellence of the Honda Odyssey 2021. For the 2021 model year, the minivan got a redesign and benefits from a more modern exterior, more standard safety technologies, and the second row of seats that is easier to remove for those times when we need as much space as possible.
The Odyssey 2021 front now includes a full black grille with a chrome strip and better-LED headlights. Just below them, the air intakes and fog lights have been redesigned for a sleeker look. The minivan also features black trims under the rear windows that match the grille trim, and Elite models receive new 19-inch wheels.
Honda Sensing is now available in all trim levels, including the base LX model. This is significant if we consider how well the system works; We have praised the integration of Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane-Keeping System in previous years. Now Honda has updated a feature that includes pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control at low speeds.
Other safety features include an alert to check the rear seat before leaving the vehicle if you have any objects in the rear seats. Although a similar setup is already offered on General Motors models, Honda takes this one step further with the Odyssey Touring and Elite, and uses the CabinWatch system camera to see what or who is in the back seat — something new in the industry.
The interior of the Honda Odyssey 2021 receives modest improvements, most notably a second row of seats that folds flat, making it easier to remove the seats. Unlike the wonderful Stow ‘n Go seats in the Chrysler Pacifica, which can be stored in the ground, the Odyssey seats must be removed in their entirety — a more difficult process compared to the Pacifica.
Although we do not see it in the images that Honda gave us, the air conditioning controls of the Odyssey 2021 have been redesigned. In EX models onwards, the USB ports are illuminated and obtain mats in three types of colors. EX-L models onwards feature contrast stitching seats, lumbar support for front passengers and seatbacks for rear row seatbacks. Piano black finishes are found in the Touring and Elite variants, with the latter also featuring perforated leather seats in the first and second rows as well as contrasting stitching in all three rows.
Nothing changes under the hood of the Odyssey 2021, so the 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine continues to send power to the front wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. We hope to have more information on the Odyssey in the coming months.
