Tips for taking a Road Trip with Kids

In April, during Spring Break, we loaded our 5 kids and headed first to the Grand Canyon and then to Zion's National Park.  It was an incredible amount of fun and over the years we've learned some fun things to do on road trips.

1. Preparation

Part of the fun of any trip is anticipation.  We put our trips on the calendar and tell them months in advance what we'll we doing.  As we have more info, we'll share it.  By the time we load our Honda Odyssey and back out of the driveway, our kids will have memorized what we're doing every single day of the trip.  This helps make the driving worthwhile AND helps us manage expectations. As our kids have gotten older, we listen for input on where they'd like to go and what they'd like to do.  On this trip, my kids were DYING to go to 4 Four Corners.  Even though it was waaaaay out of our way, we headed to 4 Corners first, then to a little city an hour drive from the Grand Canyon.

2. Something fun to do

Because we have several kids who are prone to carsickness, we discourage things like books and games which require a lot of looking down in the car while it's driving.  Instead we opt for fun music, audio presentations, and audio books. Having fallen in love with Barenaked Ladies Snack Time album on a road trip, we listen to it almost every vacation.

If your kids don't get carsick, Lindsey Redfern has great advice on carseat kits that are amazing. 

3. Snacks

If your road trip is like ours, you may go significant distances between towns and services.  It's important to have great age appropriate snacks. In a Baby Center road trip article, they pointed out food the traveled well and food that didn't. "Favorite treats that travel well: string cheese, rice cakes, pretzels, bagels, sandwiches, apple slices, bananas, granola bars, cookies, raisins, cereal-Os, and puffed corn snacks. What doesn't work: most fruit (too messy for younger kids), yogurt (ditto), and juice boxes (one squeeze and they spill all over the car seat."

4. Be relaxed about the schedule

On our trip we started almost 2 hours later than we meant to because of minor medical emergency.  Everything was running behind.  But a slow start isn't the only problem you'll face on a road trip.  Traffic or road construction and can mean you're running behind, too.  (Or taking the wrong turn.  In days before GPS my family was traveling to see Mt Rushmore.  Thinking we were almost there we suddenly saw a Welcome to Wyoming sign.  It's life.  Stuff happens.) 

Your schedule should be flexible enough that you can stop for lunch for cities sooner than planned. 


And maybe even take a fun detour that is story worthy for years. 

10 Cars That Go Over 200,000 Miles | 5 Are Hondas

For its June issue, Consumer Report ran an assessment of vehicles that are most likely to turn over 200,000 miles.  

As the USA Today put it, "With the average amount paid for a new car now firmly above $30,000, it makes sense to hold on to a vehicle as long as possible in order to squeeze every usable mile out of it before it needs to be traded in. But when it come to the long-mileage derby, the car you choose can make a big difference on whether you'll hit the magic 200,000-mile mark."

So which cars will get you to 200,000? Five are Hondas.  Five are Toyotas.  No other cars or brands made the list. 

The most trustworthy Hondas: 

Honda Odyssey

Honda Pilot

Honda Accord sedan

Honda CRV

and, of course, the Honda Civic. 

Read the rest of USA Today's article here.

Safest Cars for Teen Drivers

By my 10 year high school reunion, a dear friend had passed away from muscular dystrophy.  Wanting to honor him and others we had lost, a former classmate of mine and I reached out to find the names of those lost from our graduating class.  Much to my surprise, we had lost another classmate only 4 months after graduation.  He was killed in a single car accident as he drove north one day toward Salt Lake City.

This story is far too common.  Research conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) found that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers.  The good news is, that the IIHS research suggests that the type of vehicle driven has a big effect on the degree of risk.  So the IIHS compiled a list to help guide parents in making safer choices.

2007 Honda Element

Honda pre-owned vehicles earning this first recognition from IIHS as among the best, safer choices for teen drivers under $20,000 include the Honda Accord Sedan (2012 and later), Accord Coupe (2013-14), CR-V (2012 and later), Element (2007 and later) and Honda Odyssey (2011 and later). But not everyone can drop $20, 000 for a teenager's care.  So, additionally, the Honda Pilot (2006 and later) and the Honda Odyssey (2005-10) were included on the list of good choices for teen drivers under $10,000.

2005 Honda Odyssey

According to IIHS automotive vehicle registration statistics, Honda is the most durable, longest lasting brand in its class. 

Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies and designs meant to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians. Honda operates two of the world's most sophisticated crash test facilities, one in the U.S. and one in Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety. American Honda leads the industry for 2014 in third party crash test ratings with more models rated TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the IIHS than any other manufacturer.

For added piece of mind, customers who choose a Certified Pre-Owned Honda from an authorized Honda dealership (like Ken Garff Honda of Orem), an extensive limited warranty is included with each sale. 

As my oldest daughter turns 16 this year, I'll have the piece of mind knowing that she'll be driving a Honda, one of the safest vehicles on the road. 

Honda Odyssey One of the Safest Cars on the Road

The other day, I stumbled on an article from the Associated Press that said,  "The chances of a driver dying in a crash in a late-model car or light truck fell by more than a third over three years, and nine car models had zero deaths per million vehicles registered in the U.S. according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety."

In the study, they examined fatalities involving 2011 model year vehicles and looked at how many driver fatalities occurred in a particular model over the course of a year of operation.

One of those nine, zero deaths per million vehicles?  The Honda Odyssey.

For Honda, long lauded for it's impressive safety rating, this is yet another positive note.  But it's important to understand that while safety ratings have been improving across the board over the last 8 years, "the gap between safest and riskiest models remains wide."

Your best bet in buying a safe car?  Go a little bigger.  Mid-size cars, SUVs, and minivans ranked higher than smaller, low-priced vehicle.

To read the whole article, including which models had the highest death rates, go here.

5 Reasons You Should NEVER Drive a Honda Odyssey | Winning Entry

When our good ol’ pickup bit the dust 4 years ago, my husband and I went looking for the best family-friendly, used vehicle we could afford. It seemed like a no-brainer to go with the 2002 Honda Odyssey. After all, it has an average customer rating of 4.5/5 stars on edmunds.com and is ranked first in it’s segment by CarandDriver.com. But it didn’t take us long after signing the paperwork to discover the Odyssey’s awful secrets.

1. Heated Seats

Listen, Honda, I live in Utah for a reason—the average temperature in the winter is 32 degrees. It’s my choice to drive in a frozen tundra, it should be my choice whether or not I want my buns toasty warm. Granted, I can turn the heat off, but once it’s on I’m too warm to reach over and push the button, basically removing my agency.

2. Seating for 7

Who, in their right mind, would want to drive with six other people? Not me! I like riding solo as much as possible. But when Honda puts all those extra cushy seats in the Odyssey, people assume you want to haul them around. Listen kids, just because there’s room in the van, doesn’t mean I need to drive you to school.

3. Folding Backseat

Granted, this could be an advantage if you don’t want to drive people around (see reason 2), but it’s a great disadvantage when your husband shops at Home Depot. Do you realize how much paint and wood can fit in a van when the backseat folds down into the floor? Take my word for it. It’s a lot. Just to return the favor, I might see how many Nordstrom bags can fit in the same space.

4. V-6 Engine

I live in a small town with small vehicles. It’s bad for my image to sit at a stoplight next to Joan Schmo and have her know by the sound of my powerful engine I could take her in a drag race. Not that I would go zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. That’s just pretentious.

5. Automatic Sliding Doors

Honda is contributing to the nation’s obesity epidemic one automatic sliding door at a time. Gone are the days of building your biceps by opening and closing heavy van doors. Now I push a button on the remote and they open without any exertion on my part. With as flabby as my arms are getting, a gym membership should have been included the Odyssey’s purchase price.   

Jill Swensen blogs at Being Spiffy where she tells the tales of her people. Said people include her husband and three children. When not blogging, you can find Jill carting her family around the thoroughfares of Utah, searching for adventures and the perfect fountain Dr Pepper.

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Odyssey vs. Pilot

We recently switched from an Odyssey to a Pilot.

There is no mistaking that the Pilot is a better looking vehicle, but I have to say ...even with all the bells and whistles Honda provides in each of their vehicles, I MISS MY MINIVAN!

I started to ponder, "What is it that I really love and look for in a vehicle?" I posed the questions to The R House Facebook crew and was met with a hearty response. I took their thoughts and organized them into this little graphic for myself (okay, and for you too) just to compare the Odyssey and the Pilot and which ones works best for my little family.



There really is no mistaking it, WE ARE A MINIVAN LOVIN' FAM.

Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the form of really sweet deals. Get all the details on how she can save you a little cash.

Minivan Moms Gone Wild (Honda of Orem Style)

Last week my besties and I randomly found ourselves test driving cars.

Minivans to be exact. Yes, minivans. We, three SUV enthusiasts, were ewwwing and ahhhhing over buttons that open automatic doors, shade screens that pull out of the doors and extensive trunk space. Who would have thought?!

When is the last time you test drove a car?


I mean, c'mon. It was so random, but so fun. We laughed and laughed and laughed. It was the kind of fun that you really can only have with your girlfriends--silly, a little bit annoying and we found ourselves asking way too many questions about the car as we forced our test driving chaperone to go through the drive thru with us (we needed drinks, it was a billion degrees).

Mike Johnson was kind enough to put up with our shenanigans, bless his heart, and when we were too scared to see what would happen if you left your hand in the automatic door's path, he took the bullet for us.

(Incidentally, it did not even come close to hurting him or crushing his hand. Totally safe for kids.) We thank him for being our crash test dummy. And for being so patient with us as we literally checkout out every square inch of the car, testing every button and inspecting all the gadgets.

(Doesn't Mike look terrified? I love it. Minivan Moms gone wild!)

In all seriousness though, I had no idea that you could just go test drive cars and ask a billion questions about them. My friend ended up buying one of the minivans we drove (she's a convert too!) and I was impressed with how real and down to earth Mike was. I have never had so much car shopping fun in my life! I was so glad that I could help her get $500 off.

You know about my sweet gig with Ken Garff Honda of Orem, right? Just mention my blog and they will give you $500 off (new, used, trade in, lease, whatever). And ask for Mike ...he is hilarious and I PROMISE YOU, compared to what we put him through, you cannot ask him too many questions. 

Thanks again Mike and Ken Garff Honda of Orem! It was a treat. A random, unplanned, spectacular treat!

Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the form of really sweet deals. Get the all details on how she can save you a little cash.

Safety First

When I was in high school, I was in a terrible rollover car accident.

The roof of the car essentially split the driver's seat head rest in two. I was pulled out of the car while hanging upside down by some people who saw the accident happen. Although it was 18 year ago, I can still picture their faces.

Having to call my parents from the ambulance was possibly one of the hardest things I have ever done. I was too shaken up and choked up to get the words out and the paramedic had to take over. I have no idea how I walked away with a minor concussion.

Since then, I have kind of hated driving. I drive slow anyway, but when our children came into our family ...I slowed down even more. Precious cargo! And my kids were all adopted so I know their birth families are counting on me too.

Driving a car that I feel safe in is one of the main things I look at when purchasing a new vehicle. And the Honda Odyssey has an incredible safety scorecard. U.S. News and World Report highlighted the best of the Odyssey's safety features and gave them an incredible numbers.

So, put your mind to rest when you are in behind the wheel of the Honda Odyssey. It is a beast in the safety department.

Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the form of really sweet deals. Get the all details on how she can save you a little cash.

The 3 Things I Love Most About the Honda Odyssey

I still feel new to this whole luxury minivan business.

Recently, a friend (and fellow Odyssey owner) asked me what I liked best about my van in comparison to my old SUV. I challenged myself to narrow it down to a soundbite, just three things. (For the record, I get asked this ALL THE TIME.)

Sliding Doors - There is something so magical about those doors. I can open and close them from my key fob, from my perch in the driver's seat, from the inside and the outside of each door. With these small kids, it makes a huge difference when it comes to getting in and out of the car. It just seems easier, smoother, the way driving should be.

No Climbing Over the Seats - Heaven help me, the climbing over the seats that happened in my SUV was driving me bonkers. With the seats that fold and move so easily even a kindergartener can do it or seats that can be removed altogether, no one is flinging their body over anything in the car. It's like my standard of living shot up overnight.

I alway bring my body guards when running errands. #momofboys

 

Storage Space - The Odyssey boasts a trunk that can fit my double stroller, an extra full-size car seat, bags of groceries and party supply items we picked up at the store, some weathered wood for an art project, 2 large drink dispensers for lemonade and 3 costume changes for the ninja superheros you see above ...and that was just from yesterday's stoppings. While the SUV I had been driving looks bigger, the actual space inside is much smaller.

What's your favorite feature?

Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the a form of really sweet deals. Get the all details on how she can save you a little cash.

Honda Odyssey: It practically cleans itself.

When I first test drove the Honda Odyssey, I was in awe of all the bells and whistles. I volunteered to drive everywhere so I could show it off to my friends and family. I am sure they got sick of my saying, "Check this out!"

After a long show and tell, I would conclude by proclaiming, "It practically does everything but clean itself!"

Then Honda announced that the 2014 model would include a vacuum.

<<<<<MIND EXPLOSION>>>>>

Although my 2013 doesn't have the ingenious vacuum feature (beware french fries of 2014, HondaVAC is looking at YOU), it does have all-weather mats which are equally as awesome.

Let's say you take a road trip and on the way home a certain kindergartener gets aggressive with dipping sauce for his drive-thru chicken. Let's say you look back in complete horror as the you see (almost in slow motion) the sauce drop from his darling hands and splatter on the floor of the car.

UGH. "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

And then I remembered the swanky mats I have covering the floor of the van! The All-Weather Mats that line the three passenger rows of my van (and I have the Trunk Tray too!), protected the car (and me) from extra clean up. It really is the car that cleans itself! Check this out, it's as easy as...

 

1. Pull the mat out of the car.
2. Spray with hose. Do not touch gross sauce with your finger.
3. Let dry in the sun while you water your flowers. (I should water my grass though, huh?)

  These All-Weather Mats are not just for the Odyssey ($205)--they are available for any Honda. Need them? (I personally think every mom should have one.) Just mention me ("Lindsey from The R House") and you will automatically receive 10% off. Use it to take your family through your favorite drive-thru ...and ask for extra sauce.

Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the a form of really sweet deals. Get the all details on how she can save you a little cash.

The R House Love Story Continues...

It's official: We really are minivan people.

I knew I would love it--the automatic doors won me over during my test drive. I knew my husband would love it--the DVD player (that Mom and Dad don't have to listen to) frees us up to listen to comedy on XM Radio. I knew all of that. What I didn't realize is how much my kids love this car! Recently we were at a playdate with friends. The kids had a blast and the weather was perfect. When it was time to leave, I only had to ask my kids ONE TIME to get their shoes on and meet me in the car. From the foyer window of my friend's house I opened the doors (opening doors from your keys is so Jetsons) and my kids piled in.


About 10 minutes later, I was still in the foyer chatting with my friend and planning our next get-to-together. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and my five year old said to me (with DVD player headphones already on), "Mom! Let's go! You said we were leaving 100 hours ago."  Usually I am the one that has to beg and round up and re-round up my kids when it is time to go home but, in their eyes, the fun doesn't end when we go home. They love the drive home as well! I can't promise you that your kids will be better listeners because you drive a pimped out minivan ...but they might! ;)


  Follow Lindsey Redfern of The R House as she falls in love with the 2013 Honda Odyssey. A reformed SUV enthusiast, she has seen the light and is passing her excitement onto you in the a form of really sweet deals. Get the all details on how she can save you a little cash.
 

She's Back! Top Utah Blogger Partner's with Honda of Orem

A Honda Odyssey is a heck of a minivan.  But we didn't know what to expect when, a die-hard SUV lover, Lindsey Redfern, tried it out for a week.  As one of Utah's top bloggers, (Mrs. R, yo, from The R House) she knows how to speak her mind.  But after driving around in the mother of all minivan's, Lindsey couldn't stop gushing.

"This car is brilliant."
"It was like the superhero in the Kindergarten pick up line."
"You can keep cool with a drink from the Cool Box."
"It has so much trunk space that my husband, the stroller and a full cart from Costco all fit nicely in the back."

(71% of these quotes are completely fabricated.  Go here to see what she actually said.)

She was converted.  She was fully invested.  Her heart only had room for an Odyssey.

So, it is our honor to announce the partnership of 

The R House and Ken Garff Honda of Orem. 

(Dreamy music playing)

Cleo (Lindsey and fam *named* the Odyssey) is back in her rightful home.  Lindsey's kids are jumping up and down.  And Lindsey's sweet little Kindergartener never has to struggle with the door again thanks to the power sliding doors of the Odyssey... I mean, Cleo.

For some of the most powerful and intimate writing I've seen (along with GORGEOUS photographs) read Lindsey's blog.  (This is one of the best, though most heart-wrenching, posts on her blog.)  Come along for the ride.  With adoptions, birth moms, cute kids and the Honda Odyssey, it will be fun to see what awaits Cleo and the R House.

Oh, and Lindsey will have a special--only for her readers--discount.  Watch for that, too.

Emily Hill From Is This Really My Life Compares the Honda Pilot to the Odyssey

I adore the 2013 Honda Pilot with its sleek, square design, secret USB port, triple-view backup camera, Bluetooth cell phone capabilities, hard drive for storing music and too many other nifty bells to name. I’m kind of hoping it will be Nathan’s next car because I’m adamant (whenever possible) about our second car fitting the entire family just in case the Odyssey breaks down.

Who am I kidding? Hondas never break down.

Because someone out there might be trying to decide between the Honda Pilot and the Honda Odyssey, my review focused on the difference between the two.

*****

You have to read Emily's full review and see her videos, which may or may not include goldfish cracker crumbs and an incident with a Diet Coke. 

After you read Emily's post, you probably want to like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter, too. 

Maybe We Are Minivan People--Honda Odyssey Test Drive

Lindsey Redfern from the R House was our third Blogger from the #HondaTestDrive.  She took the 2013 Honda Odyssey for a week.  Here is what she thought...

*****

Three years ago, we needed to purchase a new (to us) car.  

Because of my Infertility PTSD, we went with a Yukon even though Mr. R really wanted a minivan.  I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a minivan when I no idea if we'd ever be able to fill all those empty seats.  In my mind, those empty seats were less obvious in the Yukon.  Over the past 3 years, the third row of seats has been folded down most of the time.

Now, through some miracle of heaven, we have three children.  (Say whaaaaa? I still cannot believe it.)  We don't have very many empty seats any more ...and I am rethinking my stance on "not being minivan people."

Read the rest of Lindsey's post here.

Replacing Honda Wiper Inserts

With all of the dirt, salt and residue from a Utah winter coating my car and increasingly streaky windshield wiping, I knew it was time to get the windshield wiper blades replaced--or at least so I thought.

Evidently, windshield wiper blades constitutes the rubber wiper as well as the metal that encases it.  On Honda's it's rare to need to replace the actual blade, metal included.  Generally, you just need to replace the rubber insert that fits inside the blade.  The nice thing about that?  It's a fraction of the price.  Inserts only cost $7.00 whereas wiper blades range from $15-$25.

Honda wiper inserts are pretty easy to replace.  Javier from our parts department demonstrates here how to do it.

This install method works on the Odyssey, CRV, Pilot and Ridgeline.  The only difference in the smaller models is that the lock is on top rather than underneath the blade and is most easily opened with the end of a key.

There are a few import things to know about Honda inserts.
1) If you replace the blade (metal included) with a non-Honda part, Honda inserts cannot be installed in them.  The only fix is to buy new Honda blades, then you can resume getting Honda wiper refills.
2) If this looks kinda complicated to you.  Just come into the dealership and we'll install them for free.

That is $7 well spent.  And by the way, I'm loving my new wiper inserts.

Honda Is Tops in Holding Value

2013 Accord

American Honda Motor Company wins ALG's 2013 Residual Value Award for Best Mainstream Brand, besting competitors in long term value.  What that means for you (and me) as Honda owners, is that Honda retains its value even as it ages.  When it's time to trade-in, or sell your car,  you'll get far more for your Honda vehicle, than your friends who own some other make.  (Something I noted in this post on getting the most for your trade-in.)

2013 Odyssey

"Long-term value and reliability are both hallmarks of the Honda brand and we are honored to be recognized by ALG as the industry leader in these key qualities," said Michael Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations at America Honda.  "The Honda engineering philosophy not only delivers immediate value to our customers, but will pay off in the long run as well."

The Honda brand's award of Best Mainstream Brand, recognizes the entire Honda lineup for exceptional vehicle quality, strong brand desirability, and long-term reliability.  In addition, The 2013 Accord, the Honda Odyssey and the Honda Fit, all received top honors in their individual categories, which were Best Midsize Car, Best Minivan and Best Sub-Compact Car, respectively.

2013 Fit

ALG determines winners through study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends.  ALG publishes the Residual Value Guidebook and is a leading provider of insights and consulting services to the automotive industry.

 I have to say that I love it when we win!  It makes me proud to be part of a Honda dealership.

Happy (Hilarious) Honda Days

I'm an advertising junky.  You know the kind, they like the Superbowl commercials better than the actual Superbowl.  So I was eagerly looking forward to the release of the new... drumroll ... 

Happy Honda Days commercials.  And let me tell you, they do not disappoint!  

Each spot opens with someone thanking Honda for giving their friend or relative a great deal on a new car.  The narrator gives a detailed account of why the car is such a great purchase, hilarity ensues.  

Enjoy.  

Steven's Pilot

Lisa's Odyssey

Samantha's Sister's Civic

Dad's Accord

Honda's Got Your Back(up Camera)

No question, one of my favorite features in the 2013 Odyssey is the backup camera--which is now standard on all Odysseys.

As Cars.com explained, "Previously, a backup camera was only available on the EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite trims.  For 2013, the Pilot, Accord, Crosstour, CR-Z and Ridgeline also get a standard backup camera."

I have probably mentioned that I have five kids.  And my neighbors all have kids.  In fact, if you include mine, there are 18 kids that live on my cul-de-sac, not including friends, grandkids, etc.  Backing up is one of THE most dangerous maneuvers I do with my car each day.

Before backing out, I walk around my car, turn off my radio and the fan (AC/heat), roll down my front windows and back out really, really slowly.  But backing up with a backup camera is so much safer!  You can see where you're going and what's to the sides of you as well.

Despite my copious backing-up safety rituals, I have, on more than one occasion, pulled into the road only to realize that there was a child, just to the side of my driveway that I hadn't seen.  That has freaked me out every time.  (Shivering)

So I really put the 2013 Odyssey's back up camera to the test when I got to take it for a spin.  After pulling in my driveway, I grabbed a little 12 inch bike that we own and stuck it behind the van and put it in reverse.

I could not see the tiny bike from my rear-view mirror or either of my side mirrors.  In my daily ritual, only during the walk-around could I have even seen it.  But look what happens when you turn on the backup camera.

Regular View

Wide View

Top View

These picture were taken in the early afternoon with light filtering through the trees, making it even more difficult to see.  Even without ideal viewing conditions, I could easily see the bike.  Then, I could walk around and remove it before running over it.  (It's possible that I have *uh-hem* run over a few bikes in my day...)

To be candid, the backup camera is NOT designed to replace the walk-around.  You could still have a child or toy under you vehicle or directly behind the wheels.  But the scares I've had over the years with kids who appeared at the last minute would never have happened.  With the backup camera I would always have seen them.  And as a parent, that's incredibly reassuring.

Test Driving the 2013 Odyssey

Here in the heartland of Utah suburbia, minivans are a hot commodity.  Among minivans, the Odyssey is queen.  With Ken Garff Honda of Orem being Utah's #1 Odyssey Dealer, it seemed only appropriate to test drive the latest model.

I got to drive the top-of-the-line Touring Elite.

The first thing I noticed about the 2013 Odyssey, is that it can hold up to 8 passengers instead of the standard 7.  As Paul Stewart, the Odyssey specialist, began to show me, the Odyssey can be reconfigured in 10 different ways.  Seats can be taken in and out, folded over, or used.  Three child carseats can all be comfortably buckled on a single row in the new Odyssey.

The amenities the Odyssey is equipped with are jaw-dropping.  One of my favorites is the FM Traffic which alerts you to traffic incidents on the systems map.  While still parked in the Honda of Orem dealership parking lot, I could see where accidents had happened on I15 and incidents on State Street.

It handles like a car with quick, nimble turning lets you forget that you're in a van at all.  As Honda put it, "The 2013 Odyssey is--for lack of a better term--so un-vanlike."  I love the standard back-up camera, the power sliding doors and, in the EX-L and up, the power tailgate.

See, even 4-year-olds can work the sunshade.  

My four-year-old son's favorite feature was the built-in sunshade. You just pull the shade out from within the car and hook it onto the extended top hooks and--voila--the sun is immediately out of your eyes.  He also tested to make sure that you can still roll down the window when the sunshade is up and, if your arm is small enough, you can even stick your arm out the open window around the shade.

Like the 2013 Accord, the Odyssey has technology coming out it's ears...or, um, side mirrors. (Seriously, the Touring has Memory-Linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down.  To be honest, I have no idea what that means, but I'm sure it is useful.)

If you have a large family riding in an Odyssey and anyone is bored, that is their own fault.  Honda has installed everything possible to make sure that won't happen.  There's the XM Radio, USB audio interface, 15 gig hard drive that you can down load your own CDs, the ultra wide rear entertainment system on which you can be both watching a DVD and simultaneously playing a video game.  It think it's possible that you could drive across the entire United States and never *have* to play I Spy. (Note: playing I Spy is a perfectly good activity, possibly educational and is endorsed by grandmothers everywhere.) 

Recognize that I'm not the only one raving about the 2013 Accord.  The Car Connection review said, "Among the best of the current bunch [of minivans]--and really, the template for why minivans are still relevant and enjoyable--is the 2013 Honda Odyssey.... With the current version, Honda looked directly to today's parents.  With Bluetooth connectivity, up-to-date infotainment and entertainment features, and lots of tech savvy, plus top-notch safety...this Odyssey is neither frumpy nor behind the times."