Honda is showing a freshened version of its Odyssey minivan at the 2013 New York Auto Show. While it doesn’t look a lot different than the 2013 model, the 2014 edition sports a number of upgrades designed to make it more family-friendly.
More from the New York Auto Show
You could say that parts of the 2014 Honda Odyssey suck and actually mean it as a compliment. This will be the first vehicle on the market to offer an onboard vacuum cleaner. Offered only on the top-line Touring Elite model, the “HondaVAC” was developed with commercial vacuum company Shop-Vac. The hose and nozzle are cleverly hidden in one of the rear side panels. It includes a replaceable filter and canister bag, and it draws power from the car’s electrical system. The vacuum can run continuously when the engine is on and for up to eight minutes with the engine off.
Other changes to the 2014 Honda Odyssey include upgrades to the vehicle’s body structure that are designed to enhance safety in a crash. Touring Elite models will include forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. Infotainment systems come from the 2013 Honda Accord and include an HD Radio receiver, SMS text message capability, and access to the cloud-based Aha Mobile interface.
The drivetrain remains unchanged in the form of Honda’s corporate 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with either a 5- or 6-speed automatic transmission.
The 2014 Honda Odyssey goes on sale later this year.
CG Says: Families often overlook minivans, but there really is no other type of vehicle that offers such flexible passenger and cargo accommodations while delivering reasonable fuel economy. They also offer truly innovative features, whether it’s Chrysler’s yet-to-be-matched Stow ’n Go seating or the built-in vacuum cleaner in the 2014 Odyssey. It’s too bad that Honda is restricting the feature’s availability to only the highest model. Perhaps it will filter into a more affordable trim level later down the line.
Test Drive: 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite
