Powering the 2011 Honda Odyssey is a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Touring and Touring Elite models like our test vehicle are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels — lower trims make due with a five-speed unit.
With a curb weight of 4,540 pounds, the Odyssey's powertrain has its work cut out for it. At our test track, the big Honda hustled from a standstill to 60 mph in a confident 8.1 seconds, an improvement of 0.7 second over the previous-generation Odyssey. Braking is also improved, and the Honda comes to a halt from the same speed in 129 feet with no sign of brake fade after repeated runs.
Out on the open road, this amounts to an assuring feel when you're behind the wheel. There's plenty of power to decisively merge onto highways and pass slower traffic. The suspension also contributes to the Honda Odyssey's solid ride, with very little body roll in curves and a carlike demeanor in parking lots.