Minivans are great for families because of their cargo space and number of seats. One perfect van that would give you everything you need is the Honda Odyssey. Buying one brand-new would cost you a lot, so consider finding one used. 

U.S. News recently compiled a list of vehicles you can get for under $20,000. It recommends the 2015 Odyssey, which could provide you with enough fun amenities for an affordable price. Let’s dive deeper into this minivan. 

What’s good about the Honda Odyssey?

The Honda Odyssey offers a high-quality interior that uses top-notch materials and easy-to-use controls. The lower trims offer decent-grade seating, while the upper trims provide more luxuriousness. 

When it comes to driving performance, the Odyssey handles the road without any issues. Acceleration is pretty quick with the powerful engine and transmission combo. 

It has a sophisticated interior with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers and the driver. It easily seats up to eight people. But when you compare the Honda Odyssey to some of its rivals, it doesn’t quite match up. The Town & Country van has Chrysler’s Stow ‘N Go seating, which offers more storage space than the Odyssey. But its cargo room is still good. 

Fuel economy is pretty good for the Odyssey despite it being a minivan. When driving in the city, this van can get around 19 mpg. When you get out on the highway, it can get up to 28 mpg, which puts it at the top of its class. 

What are the Odyssey’s weaknesses?

U.S. News reports there aren’t too many issues with the Honda Odyssey. The biggest problem it poses is the accessibility of the full cargo area. To do that, you have to remove the second row of seats, and they’re not exactly lightweight. 

The only other issue that could annoy some people is the base model of this minivan. While these entry-level versions aren’t known for offering many bells and whistles, the Odyssey’s base model offers little to no features.

The Honda Odyssey is a relatively safe vehicle. The 2015 model has four safety recalls out on it, though. Two involve the second-row seats. They concern with the latch not locking properly. Another recall states the second-row seat could tip forward when braking. The last one involves the fuel tank seam welds. An improper weld could cause a fuel leak, which could lead to a fire down the road.

What do you get for the price?

The Honda Odyssey offers five trim levels: the base LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Touring Elite. However, there’s only one powertrain, a V6 engine generating 248 hp. Paired with it is a six-speed automatic transmission on all models. 

The base LX doesn’t come with too much. If you purchase the 2015 model, you’re likely to get a rear-view camera, Bluetooth capability, and an eight-inch infotainment display screen. If you’re interested in getting an affordable but reliable minivan and don’t care about too many features, the base would be the perfect model to find. 

Honda’s EX and EX-L trims offer a bit more for those wanting a few fun features. The EX adds powered sliding doors, Honda’s Lane Watch feature, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The EX-L trim is the most recommended trim to buy. It’s the one with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a powered liftgate, satellite radio, and a seven-inch touchscreen.

The higher trim levels are the Touring and Touring Elite. These add some advanced safety features, fog lights, an entertainment system in the rear seat area, and, as a bonus, an in-car vacuum cleaner to help clean up spills on the go. 

The Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans out there. If you find a used one, it could be loaded with perks, making this minivan worth the under-$20,000 price. If you can snag one with a decent number of features and fixed recalled parts, you’ll have found a good deal.