First Drive: 2011 Honda Odyssey

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Honda, First Drive

Honda doesn’t redefine the minivan, they strive to perfect it

2011 Honda Odyssey – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda did something silly during the launch of its all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan. The automaker built a large autocross-type “track” in the parking lot of San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium and invited journalists to take its latest eight-passenger family hauler for hot laps. It was an interesting “fish out of water” introduction to Honda’s fourth-generation people mover.

Designed, developed and manufactured in the United States, Honda considers the 2011 model an “American Odyssey.” The domestic development team, owners of 46 Odysseys between them, labored to deliver a minivan with distinctive style, greater interior versatility and improved fuel economy. Did Honda build itself a worthy successor and how did it fare on the autocross?

Gallery: 2011 Honda Odyssey: First Drive