Car News Articles

The Honda Odyssey has long been regarded as a step above the competition in the people-mover market.

Its quality cabin and its car-like dynamics have won plenty of admiration from motoring journalists. The new model made a good vehicle better, plugging a couple of gaping holes in its safety armoury by adding six airbags, stability control and three-point seatbelts in every seat.

But the critical acclaim doesn’t appear to translate into popularity in a market where space and practicality are paramount.

So far this year, the cheaper Kia Carnival has outsold the new Odyssey by a margin of roughly three-to-one, while the Toyota Tarago has doubled the Honda’s sales.

No doubt a fair chunk of both vehicles’ sales are to hotels and airport transfer companies, but the people-mover market does seem to gravitate to vehicles that either offer loads of space, value-for-money, or both.

Last year’s winner, the Kia Rondo, ticked the “value-for-money” box. It’s the cheapest seven-seater on the market by a considerable margin and is bigger on the inside than it appears from the outside. But it needs a more powerful engine (a diesel is due next year).

The Carnival’s drawcard is space and plenty of it. But its ride and handling feel too truck-like, while the interior looks a little downmarket and the diesel engine lacks refinement.

The Odyssey’s cabin ambience is a step above its Korean rivals, with better quality materials and a more stylish looking dash.

On the road loop of our testing process, it was a clear winner, with car-like handling and steering, combined with a comfortable and well controlled ride.

The engine, while not the punchiest powerplant on the planet, was smooth, quiet and willing to rev hard, suggesting it would cope well with seven on board. It was also relatively efficient.

It all added up to a win for the Honda. Whether that will translate into better sales remains to be seen.