Honda Odyssey Real World MPG

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Comments

  • bobber1bobber1 Member Posts: 217
    I still think it's amazing the Honda gets the mileage it does when you consider it weighs almost 3 tons. I've gotten as high as 28 mpg with it on the highway and most mid size SUV"s struggle to get much over 20. The RAV should get better mileage. It weighs over 1,200 pounds less.
  • watsacwatsac Member Posts: 49
    I've consistently gotten 27 MPG on the HIGHWAY with the RAV (a number I NEVER saw on the Odyssey). The RAV just seems to be a bit thirstier in that CITY traffic (but still drinks less than the Odyssey). :)
  • roberts5roberts5 Member Posts: 35
    We just got back from a 1645 mile trip trhough WV and OH from VA. I wish there was more torque to climb the long I-77 upgrades. We had a heavy load with five people plus luggage (1100 lbs.). I cruised between 65-75 mph. The mileage figured between 23-24 mpg on each tank. I also noticed the drivers seat a little rough on the lower back regardless of the lumbar ajustment. The kids traveled pretty well since they had movies to enjoy. Overall it was a positive experience except for the accident just South of Charleston, WV which added six hours to the trip home.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I still think it's amazing the Honda gets the mileage it does when you consider it weighs almost 3 tons. I've gotten as high as 28 mpg with it on the highway and most mid size SUV"s struggle to get much over 20. The RAV should get better mileage. It weighs over 1,200 pounds less.

    The Honda weighs just over 2 tons, not "almost 3 tons." ~4,200 lbs doesn't come close to 3 tons, in my mind.

    The RAV doesn't weigh 1,200 lbs less. The 2002 Odyssey weighs about 4,250 lbs. The 2008 RAV4 weighs about 3,500 lbs.
  • bobber1bobber1 Member Posts: 217
    According to Edumunds the total weigh of the Honda Odyssey is 5,795 pounds and the Toyota RAV is 4,473. Curb weight for the Honda is 4,430 and for the Toyota is 3,375. By my math that's a 1,322 different in total and 1,055 in curb weight.If you average the two you come up with 1,188(okay I overstated it by 12 pounds..)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    According to Edumunds the total weigh of the Honda Odyssey is 5,795 pounds and the Toyota RAV is 4,473....By my math that's a 1,322 different in total and 1,055 in curb weight.If you average the two you come up with 1,188(okay I overstated it by 12 pounds..)

    Whoa whoa whoa.... the Edmunds weight you are listing is the GVWR - the total weight of the car PLUS the total payload it can handle. That is NOT what you should be measuring. You should use curb weight as your guide.

    A 2002 Odyssey weighs 4,250, a 2008 2WD RAV4 weighs just under 3,500 lbs.

    You didn't have a current Odyssey (which weighs what you state here at 4,430), you should be using the weight of the previous model (2002 falls into this category).
  • bobber1bobber1 Member Posts: 217
    My point is that the Honda is heavier than the Toyota and I believe that point still holds water.

    Curb weight vs. actual weight loaded is a good question. Which should you use? I think most people drive around with people and object loaded in the vehicle.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Ok, answer this for me then. Did you drive around with your Odyssey completely loaded all the time? The RAV?

    I'm guessing you had a similar amount of extra weight in both (similar numbers of people), although you COULD carry more in the Honda.

    Going back to my original point, you got similar relative mileage to EPA in the Odyssey as you do in your RAV (about 1 MPG less).
  • bobber1bobber1 Member Posts: 217
    Woahh Nelly.... I don't have a RAV. I agree with you that the EPA estimates are fairly accurate. My comments are mainly to defend the Odyssey mileage relative to the RAV because it's a bigger, heavier vehicle. Sorry for the confusion... :(
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Ah, I see. Yes, the Odyssey is heavier; significantly so. ;) So, getting lower mileage should be expected.
  • angelchicagoangelchicago Member Posts: 38
    I bought my 07 Ody last Oct. Made a trip to FL in Dec where I closely watched gas mileage and got about 23-24, (using cruise control set at 71ish, car fully loaded with 3 kids and wife no ac). I read this forum where someone posted much better mpg by driving on the hwy a bit slower. Tried it this weekend on a 375 mile trip each way and boy it surely did work. Set cruise control to 64mpg, car loaded again with 3 kids and wife no ac, and got a sweet 29mpg. As a bonus I found it also is was much easier to drive 64 as the rest of the ants in the pants world does all the work by passing around you. Never thought I would be that slow driver in the right lane, but I am now that person.
  • pmicklepmickle Member Posts: 20
    I never thought I would be the slow car either, but to be honest, you have to go 300 miles at 74 miles per hour rather than 64 mph to get to your destination 20 minutes sooner. I was one of the people who mentioned driving slower, and I always set it on 60 now. The car itself seems to feel happier (the steering is easier, the engine is softer and smoother). My record is 37 mph (see above post).
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "I've consistently gotten 27 MPG on the HIGHWAY with the RAV (a number I NEVER saw on the Odyssey). "

    My 2002 Ody got 27 MPG @ 75 MPH on trips from CA to NM. Sometimes it got 26.5, but it was fairly consistent.
  • charlatainscharlatains Member Posts: 16
    My 01 Ody has 60K actual miles and still drives like a dream. I've used it for everything and the only problem I've ever had is with the trany. Been replaced by Honda twice, but never broke down - was a factory recall on the trany, but they stood behind it completely. I've had my eye on upgrading to get leather and some other features that weren't available til after '01, but have never been able to justify the new debt because the 01 is such a great car, but the wife wants a newer one so I might make it happen soon. My concern is the real world MPG' which is why I'm here lurking and reading comments. I just returned from a 700 mile round trip and tried to stay at 70 on cruise but find it real hard to do with the traffic on the highway, most of which is going 80 plus - my mileage on the trip was probably around 24-25MPG, which aint bad but with gas prices as they are I want to do better if I can. I am very attracted to the engine management system of the iVETC newer Ody and might go ahead and trade soon if I can find the right deal. Of interest, I heard recently that at speeds over 60MPH every five mile per hour increase in speed costs 15 cents per gallon at $4 per gallon prices. That's surely enough to give one a serious pause about driving much faster than 60 or 65 IMV.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    I live in a semi-rural area with 40-50 MPH speed limits and stop signs/lights several miles apart. I can always get 20-26 MPG around here. AC sucks 1 or two. Our interstate speed limit is 75 MPH so I then travel at 75-80 MPH and my gas mileage is 24-26 MPG. I've had 4 ODYs and I've been able to get EPA mileage most all of the time. My '06 with 3/6 cylinder doesn't do any better for me than the other 3 w/o it.
  • ozzy088ozzy088 Member Posts: 6
    On a trip this summer from MI to MO, my '05 Ody w/ VCM got high of 27.2 mpg and low of 23.3 mpg. Van was driven at 70 mph, w/ AC on, loaded w/ wife, 2 kids, and week's worth of luggage & golf clubs. The low was in hilly area of southern Missouri, 70 mph w/ cruise on. Respect the van! Ditch the SUV!
  • caazcaaz Member Posts: 209
    I sure am glad i bought my 06 Sienna after listening to you guys. At 65 mph i get 33mpg all day long.

    Later Caaz
  • sunilk_14sunilk_14 Member Posts: 19
    Hi There,

    Can anyone suggest a good Remote Starter and it's price and where can I get it.

    I need it installed, so it will be really helpful to me during winters.

    I am just looking for a Remote Starter, which can start my Van and I can use it to unlock doors. And ofcourse, I am looking for a cheaper one.

    Thank you,
    Sunil.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    This being the Fuel Mileage forum I doubt you'll get too much help. I'd try looking in the Honda Odyssey Accessories forum, by clicking here.
  • dorlando1dorlando1 Member Posts: 5
    Just purchased a new 2008 EX, the first tank of gas brought back horrible gas mileage even with highway driving. Maybe 14 mpg and we don't ride it hard. Is this normal for a first tank of gas?
  • sailfish2005sailfish2005 Member Posts: 11
    i just bought 2008 ex from orlando too. how much was your's otd?
  • dorlando1dorlando1 Member Posts: 5
    $22,900 before tax, tag, etc. I guess $25k otd. WHat is your gas mileage like?
  • sailfish2005sailfish2005 Member Posts: 11
    i will let you know after my next fill up. this is the 2nd fill up. the 1st was by the salesman and the trip meter was not reseted so i couldn't figure it out. looks like you did $100 better than me. i paid $25,100 otd from coggin on 9/12. what dealership was your's and did you have any accessories?
  • dorlando1dorlando1 Member Posts: 5
    same dealer. Had the roof rails, wheel locks, etc, package. Let me know about your mpg when you have it. Thanks.
  • sailfish2005sailfish2005 Member Posts: 11
    ok, my 2nd tank i averaged 18.6mpg. my wife drives it and she only does city driving. i hope hwy would be better, but at least gas is down. i paid $2.29 yesterday
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    For only city driving, 19mpg is great, considering it isn't rated more than 17 mpg (16 mpg if you have an LX or EX).
  • sailfish2005sailfish2005 Member Posts: 11
    i have an ex so i guess that is pretty decent. i notice a lot of wind noise and keep thinking the window's down with my ody. do you guys have that too?
  • dorlando1dorlando1 Member Posts: 5
    Not too much wind noise. I don't think we are getting as good as mileage as you but we have a lot of short trips, not sure what your trips are but ours are pretty much 4-5 miles each way. I think that reduces your mpg.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    ...we have a lot of short trips, not sure what your trips are but ours are pretty much 4-5 miles each way. I think that reduces your mpg.

    It does, absolutely. Your car uses extra fuel trying to get to optimum operating temperature (getting "warmed up, in other words"). That'll drop mileage by a noticeable margin.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    A reporter is interested in talking with satisfied owners of a 2001-2006 Honda Odyssey who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to jwahl@edmunds.com no later than Friday, November 21, 2008 and include your city and state of residence, the model year of your vehicle and the age of your child/ren.

    Thanks for your consideration,

    Jonathan Wahl
    Corporate Communications
    Edmunds Inc.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • hi_tech_rep1hi_tech_rep1 Member Posts: 5
    Has you mileage improved? We bought our second Ody (2008 EX-L) and the gas mileage is absolutely worse than our '02 EX-L. The last two tanks I got 14.4 and 16.7 in city driving. My worst EVER on the '02 was 18.8.
    I ook mine in to Honda and they claimed to get 19.6. They must have been coasting down a 30 mile hill...... This is my only gripe w/ the Ody.
  • dorlando1dorlando1 Member Posts: 5
    It is not great but probably close to what they say we should get. I think we are getting about 15 mpg.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    "Full" tank from dealer. Got 24+ MPG at first fill up. Drive a lot of semi-rural roads with 35-55 MPH limits and a few stop signs and traffic lights. Will see how the 2nd tank goes.
  • capizzocapizzo Member Posts: 6
    BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE WERE GETTING HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE WITH OUR 2007...OUR 2004 WAS GETTING ABOUT 26 MPG HIGHWAY AND ABOUT 18 MPG CITY. WHEN WE HIT OVER 8000 MILES WE WENT FROM ABOUT 18 HIGHWAY AND MAYBE 14 CITY, TO BACK TO WHER THE 2004 WAS.
    I'VE HEARD OTHERS SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THE "BREAK-IN" PERIOD.
    I WAS SORRY WE TURNED IN THE 2004 FOR THE 2007, BUT NOW WITH ABOUT 10,800 MILES, IT'S GETTING SUPERIOR MPG CITY AND HIGHWAY.
    MAYBE 18 CITY AND 28 HIGHWAY WHICH IS GREAT FOR THIS FINE RUNNING VEHICLE....BUT IT TOOK A LOT OF GAS DOLLARS IN THE BEGINNING.ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PRICE OF GAS WENT UP RIGHT AFTER WE LEASED IT...SO HOPEFULLY YOURS WILL DO THE SAME...GOOD LUCK, AND DON'T COUNT THE ODYSSEY OUT YET...I THINK THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS, AND ARE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GRADE-LOGIC DRIVE-TRAIN...WE ONLY PUT ABOUT 7500 MILES A YEAR ON OURS...MOSTLEY CITY DRIVING, SO THID WAS A REAL "GUZZLER FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF USE..IT PROBABLY SUCKED UP ABOUT $1500 IN REGULAR IN 12 MONTHS.
    BEST REGARDS,
    LOU :shades:
  • capizzocapizzo Member Posts: 6
    THE WIND NOISE IS RIDICULOUS WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN AT ANY SPEED OVER 25 MPH..THE NOISE REALLY POUNDS EVERYONE IN THE CAR! .I CAN'T BELIEVE HONDA LET THIS PROBLEM PASS QUALITY CONTROL....SO MUCH FOR THE REAR WINDOWS FEATURE...SUCKS!
  • aps4aps4 Member Posts: 3
    I am debating between EX & EX-L, The only attractive thing in EX-L for me is VCM. In real driving conditions does it really give that much better mileage to warrant the extra cost. I don't really care for other bells & whistles that come with EX-L as compared to EX. What do you guys think?

    Thanks in advance
  • zakimanzakiman Member Posts: 71
    Tire pressure on our odyssey was low for a few weeks so I set the pressure to 32 psi for now snd the tire pressure indicator no longer on the dashboard. I know the manual say 33 psi (front) and 35psi (back).

    here is my stupid question:
    The mechanic where I set the tire pressure told me to set 39 psi ( front) and 42(back) , and I thought this was way too high for the van. He even showed me 42psi on the sidewall of the tires. Is this true? Should the pressure be set to 39 front/42 back? or what should I set it to during winter vs. summer?

    Many thanks for helping me out!
    zaki
  • bikechuckbikechuck Member Posts: 15
    I would go with the recommendation in the manual. I would never deviate by as much as your mechanic has suggested without checking the suggestion out with Honda or a tire company.

    I have had service people tell me not to use the oil recommended in my manual and to me that is always a red flag and an indication that I need to begin looking for a new place to get my car serviced.

    The engineers that write the specs for your manual are professional people that know their products. I trust them more than individual mechanics who come and go from various dealerships.
  • jlsxpressllcjlsxpressllc Member Posts: 11
    ;) I would follow what the manual says. Your suspension is tuned to the air pressure stated in your manual. I would strongly suggest you find another mechanic.
  • capizzocapizzo Member Posts: 6
    I FIND THAT 40PSI FRONT AND BACK IS THE BEST...MY HONDA MECHANIC AT THE DEALER AGREES.....GOOD LUCK.
  • zakimanzakiman Member Posts: 71
    [capizzo] but the manual states 33 psi (front) and 35 psi (back). Why 40 psi on all four is the best? this doesn't make any sence!
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    "Full" tank from dealer. Got 24+ MPG at first fill up. Drive a lot of semi-rural roads with 35-55 MPH limits and a few stop signs and traffic lights. Will see how the 2nd tank goes.

    Second tank, very little freeway or stop and go driving and got 25.7 MPG.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    "Full" tank from dealer. Got 24+ MPG at first fill up. Drive a lot of semi-rural roads with 35-55 MPH limits and a few stop signs and traffic lights. Will see how the 2nd tank goes.

    Second tank, very little freeway or stop and go driving and got 25.7 MPG.

    Third tank was 24.8 MPG with about 25% freeway miles. So last 2 tanks averaging 25.2 MPG.
  • CarzonlyCarzonly Member Posts: 2
    Have owned 04 Odyssey EX since new and just bought EX-L. Haven't had it long enough to answer your question about the VCM, but I can tell you that my 04 in town with A/C on averaged about 16 MPG city and 23.8 hwy over its lifetime. If I really took it easy, I could get over 17 MPG city and over 18 with A/C off. My guess is that an 08 EX without the VCM would get similar mileage. Buying an EX-L for the VCM is a lot to pay for a 1 maybe 2 MPG improvement if you don't want or need the other features on the EX-L.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    "Full" tank from dealer. Got 24+ MPG at first fill up. Drive a lot of semi-rural roads with 35-55 MPH limits and a few stop signs and traffic lights.

    2,150 miles so far and averaging 24.88 MPG. Terrain around here is almost table-top flat. Had a day with wind and another with some heavy rain.

    Tires were under inflated by 2-3 PSI til I put 36 PSI in all 4 of them yesterday. That may help the MPG a bit.
  • capizzocapizzo Member Posts: 6
    SOUNDS GOOD!....36 LBS ALL AROUND IS PERFECT PSI.I ALSO PUMP UP TO 40PSI ALL AROUND DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THESE HEAVY DUTY BRIDGESTONES CAN HANDLE IT EASILY.I'M GETTING ABOUT THE SAME MPG YOU ARE ,NOW THAT I'M OVER 8000 MILES. THE FIRST 8000 MILES SUCKED UP GAS LIKE AN AVERAGE OF NO MORE THAN 15 CITY AND 20 HIGHWAY FOR SOME REASON. I STILL BELIEVE IT'S THE GRADE LOGIC POWERTRAIN SET-UP THAT "HOLDS-BACK" WHEN YOU EASE OFF THE ACCELERATOR...IT WAS A VERY COSTLY BREAK-IN...BUT WHAT THE HELL.YOU CAN'T BEAT THE RIDE THESE VANS GIVE YOU. I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER MY 2004 LX AS THE REAL "HOT-ROD" OF MINI-VANS.
    GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE RIDE.IT'S WORTH IT!
  • asa203asa203 Member Posts: 10
    I have an 05 EXL with VCM. It now has 40K on it and milege was bad for the first 10K. I now get about 20 in and out of town on average. On trips I have gotten as high as 27 with 3 kids, 3 adults and luggage. Add a cargo carrier on the roof and fully loaded and it gets avg of 24.5. I say the VCM is worth the money.
  • hi_tech_rep1hi_tech_rep1 Member Posts: 5
    My '02 took less than 1k miles to 'break-in' However, I have nearly 6k miles on my '08 w/ VCM and the mileage is ~ 14-15 combined driving. Luckily gas isn't $4 per gallon as it was when I bought the new Ody. Honda should engineer the engine w/ a shortened break-in period. Yours took 10k miles? Wow, that seems to be a rather long industry break-in period. Supposedly the Sienna are nearly all less than 3k.....
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    "Full" tank from dealer. Got 24+ MPG at first fill up. Drive a lot of semi-rural roads with 35-55 MPH limits and a few stop signs and traffic lights.

    2,150 miles so far and averaging 24.88 MPG. Terrain around here is almost table-top flat. Had a day with wind and another with some heavy rain.

    Tires were under inflated by 2-3 PSI til I put 36 PSI in all 4 of them yesterday. That may help the MPG a bit.

    Just filled up and got 26.8 MPG, with about 50% metro freeway driving at 55 - 70 MPH. I know 1 tank does not mean much by itself, so will continue to keep checking it tank by tank.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    Second fill with 36 PSI inflation and got 26.14 MPG with maybe 1/3 freeway miles. I will not post again until I take a trip with interstate MPH of 75-80 MPH here.

    I still wonder why some of these vehicles get mileage in the teens. Something must be amiss somewhere as I don't think I could get that if I tried.
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