2021 Honda Odyssey

Up front, the Odyssey just works. You’ve got easy-to-use climate controls, heated seats, and a half-digital dash that’s simple and intuitive, plus plenty of open storage for purses, snacks, and all the mom stuff. It feels functional without feeling cluttered, which is exactly what I want to see.

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While I know so many of you are here to see the car seat capabilities of the 2024 Honda Odyssey EXL, let me start by breaking down the passenger amenities. I will say, Honda moved the air vents from the ceiling to the side and I see this as a negative for any rear-facing kids.

Second row amenities include:

• Excellent knee and head clearance
• Two USB ports
• Power door
• Leather back pocket
• Built-in sun shades
• Climate controls on ceiling (easier use for mom)

Now that we’ve covered the amenities, let’s talk about the car seat setup, because this is where the Honda Odyssey really shines. As far as hardware goes, you get lower anchors and tether anchors in every seat in the second row, which is always a huge win. And let me say this up front — I compare every second-row bench to the Honda Odyssey when I review family vehicles, because it truly is best in class.

The reason is simple: the second row is made up of three completely independent seats. Each one has its own lower anchors and tether anchors, which means you can do three-across, stagger seats to access the third row, or remove the middle seat entirely. Whether you want a full bench or captain’s chairs, the Odyssey lets you adjust based on your season of life.

Then there’s the Magic Slide, which is one of my favorite features, hands down. You can slide the outboard second-row seat inward even with a rear-facing car seat installed, giving you easy third-row access without uninstalling anything. It’s iconic, it works in real life, and it solves one of the biggest pain points families have with three-row vehicles.

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I just love minivan trunks. We used a Mockingbird stroller to test the size and it’s so deep you can fit it and have a ton of extra storage left. When I talk about cubic feet when it comes to trunk space, you have to remember a cubic foot is sometimes the air, so it doesn't always equal more space. What's great about a minivan when it comes to cubic feet is because it's so deep and high, you have similar measurements to a full-size SUV.

The Odyssey also has one of the most iconic features,a one of a kind Tailgate Mode. This makes a sofa in your minivan, at the soccer game, or trunk or treating. These are the kind of features that make a minivan so worth having.

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