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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans
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Comments
However, since the Odyssey is very spirited and a high performance van, the low gas mileage reported by many Odyssey owners is probably due to the aggressive driving caused by having the most powerful minivan.
The DaimlerChrysler 3.3L V6 is an excellent combination of power and fuel economy.
I had this engine, in the base 2001 Caravan. I got about 18mpg overall. Passing speed was so slow. There seemed to be a mismatch in transmission/engine the thing made noise but would accelerate from 45-65 very fast. I'm getting almost 21 MPG on my Ody EX-L around town and my worst MPG is 18.5. Seems that results vary by quite a bit. Hans that van is the best don't get rid of it!
Honda has plenty of capacity for Oddy now, it has a new plant to handle it.
So if this is true, what is the capacities? Where is the plant? I was looking and couldn't find anything. Is it in the US or Canada??
And Alabama is not a new plant. Been producing Odys there since 2001. Just added line #2 with the flex production.
If not, they COULD increase production IF they wanted to.
Ohio does not exist in Canada. You mean Ontario, Canada. The city is Alliston.
:shades:
There are Safety features in GC SXT which will protect you, even if you are tempted to push the pedal harder.
2005 Chrysler Town & Country & GC SXT Safety features
Minivan-first driver-side inflatable knee blocker
The knee blocker inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment to help position the driver relative to the air bag and offers additional upper leg protection.
Three-row supplemental side-curtain air bags
Three-row, A- to D-pillar side-curtain air bags provide full-length coverage for all rows of seats. The side-curtain extends protection to all outboard passengers. Both side-curtain air bags have independent impact sensors, which trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.
Advanced multi-stage front air bags
These air bags provide enhanced protection for a greater range of occupants at various deployment levels, based on the severity of an impact. The front passenger air bag is also equipped with a standard occupant classification system.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
The OCS determines the conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger-side front air bag, based on the weight of the occupant.
Minivan-first standard door alert
The alert signal lights activate when the power sliding doors or manual sliding doors are in operation, signaling that occupants are getting in or out of the vehicle.
BeltAlert
This system periodically activates a chime and illuminates a light in the instrument cluster to remind unbelted drivers to buckle up.
Rear park assist
This rear obstacle detection system offers an audible warning and rear overhead display.
Child seat anchor system
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) help ease the installation of compatible aftermarket child seats.
Enhanced accident response system
This system makes it easier for emergency personnel to identify a vehicle and reach the occupant by turning on the interior lighting and unlocking the doors after air bag deployment.
Constant force retractors (CFR)
CFRs are engineered to force-limit the belt system and gradually release seat belt webbing in a controlled manner during a severe impact.
Pretensioners
During a collision, the front seat belt pretensioners electronically sense a crash and immediately remove slack from the seat belts, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant's upper body.
Energy-absorbing steering column
The innovative stroking steering column uses "release capsules," which allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The column also features "tuned" metal bend straps that deform during column stroke for optimal energy management.
Front crush sensors
Two sensors located below the headlamps measure the severity of an impact and relay crash information to safety systems in the occupant compartment.
Tire pressure monitoring system
This advanced system monitors the pressure inside each tire and alerts the driver to improper tire pressure conditions.
Anti-lock braking system
Equipped with electronic sensors that prevent wheel lockup, the system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions.
On the contrary. There is such thing as accident avoidance. Odyssey wipes the floor with any DC vans in this regard.
Honda Odyssey is by far the superior product. Look at any (ALL of them) professional reviews.
In direct comparisons: Odyssey 11 : DC 0. DC is not even a contender.
You forgot to mention that all safety feature are optional - so if you buy a value trim, Chrysler saves money on your safety. They do not care about your children, only about their pockets.
In Odyssey - all safety feature are NOT optional, and even the most basic LX trim comes with everything.
3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions Standard
Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System Standard
Adjustable Seat Belt Anchors (Front and 2nd-Row) Standard
Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS) Standard
Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Standard
Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor Standard
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure Standard
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Standard
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) Standard
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control Standard
Brake Assist Standard
Side-Impact Door Beams Standard
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Standard
Tether Anchors (3rd row outboard) Standard
Child-Proof Rear Door Locks Standard
Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System Standard
I wouldn't say that Daimlerchrysler doesn't care about our safety because they choose to have some safety features optional. (It's not like they don't offer them at all). They just give the consumer more power in making the decision if we would like to have those features and can afford them. Another thing that Honda doesn't do, that Daimlerchrysler does, is provide a vechicle that's affordable for almost every income level. (Not everybody can afford a 25K vechicle.) If I was in a financial situation and only could afford a 15 to 16K minivan with only the front air bags, I would buy it since it's better then not having a vechicle at all. Would I like to have all the safety features available? Sure I would, but if I couldn't afford it, then I would have to do without. We purchased a used 01 DGC EX back in Sep. 2003 for just under $16,000 and paid cash for it. We paid a total of just under $19,000 for the extended warranty, taxes, title and some additional options. We have all the safety features that was available for this particular model. The only optional safety feature that was was available was the front driver and passenger side air bags, to which the previous owner purchased, which was to our benefit. So you see, not everybody can afford to pay 25K for a vechicle, not alone pay a car note with interest for 5 yrs.
I wouldn't say that DCX dosen't care! DCX is improving in this arena with the new knee blocker airbag and the optional head airbags for all rows New for 2005. The problem that I have is that the vans they are comparing is the SXT and EX priced about the same MSRP. The safety features you get from Honda are better(VSA,Standard side airbags, ACE platform). I know with the SXT you get the overhead console, stow and go, and a trip computer. But those things can't trump the safety value I get. The low priced Dodge models are great for families on a budget. I did it when I was looking for basic transportation in 2001. I wish I would have spent more money and got a vehicle I wanted to keep!
I suppose the Ody LX would be for people shopping Ody's that are on a budget. While price difference may be a large factor in a decision...what the buyer wants and needs plays much more of a role. I would say the poor and destitute standing in cheese lines are more likely to buy only for what they need...not what they want.Even a bare bones Dodge Caravan SE stickers for around $20,000. Most of the population in the U.S could only dream of being on such a "budget"
After a heater, a/c, power steering, auto trans...everything else is pretty much icing on the cake. Saftey features and all the fancy gizmos are great...but so is having an extra 7 or 8 thousand in your pocket.
"stickers" being key word, they go for about $17k out the door.
You probably get better quality and reliability from a 2 year Oddy than a new 2005 Oddy even - based on all the recalls and problems.
I'll take a new DCX with better warranty and less issues.
As far as lasting longer....just stop by the problem area of Edmunds and take note of the number of old Caravans still in service.
According to Koki Hirashima, Honda's manufacturing chief in North America: "The car's quality is at its best toward the end of its model lifecycle."
I am waiting for the 2007 Ody. It will be a better vehicle than the one they are selling today.
This is SLIGHTLY true. But, as usual, your post is incorrect. ALL safety features listed are NOT optional. So, your saying that front airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, belt alert, energy absorbing steering column, front crush sensors, Latch anchor system, front airbags are optional on the T&C and GC models? You don'r post in here often, but when you do, your posts are almost always littered with incorrect information.
All information that I ever posted was reasonably complete and correct.
You may not like it, or you may interpret it differently, but it is solely your problem. :shades:
Chrysler corporation does not like your children. They would rather watch them die in a fiery crash then miss a buck. They are pure evil, unlike Honda. :P
On a serious note though: just check out ALL professional reviews. Odyssey safety does come out on top. There may be advantages and disadvantages to either vehicle, but stating what is in the headline of this thread does look quite silly.
Your entitled to your opinion. I would agree with you and other post that the ody. has the most safety features of all minivans. But, you would think with all those safety features, Honda would have put a battery power saver on the 05 Ody. so you wouldn't have to jump start the battery. (Something that Daimlerchrysler has that is used more often then people realize and is a safety feature.) Just last week I didn't close the driver door all the way so the interior lights didn't go off after 30 seconds, like there suppose to. The battery power saver switched on and turned off all interior lights after 15 min. of being on. (No problem starting our van and we own a 01 DGC EX). So how did Honda miss that one? Oh I know, just have the owner to turn off all interior lights to save the battery.
Yeah. That's pretty silly of them indeed. How much a regulator would have cost to them? Pennies, or a few dollars.
So I guess you'll be buying a Toyota then? The perception may be "higher quality" but reality (4 recalls, door issues, trim issues, brake issues, mileage issues etc..) don't support "higher quality".
Must be some merit in DCX vans, they continue to dominate the marketplace even after 2 decades. If their quality or long-term reliability was so bad, they'd be out of the minivan market by now.
Yeah. That's pretty silly of them indeed. How much a regulator would have cost to them? Pennies, or a few dollars.
PENNIES!!! I work in automotive electronics.
They do have merit: brand loyalty and financial insentives.
Well, with all the overhead of building it in that would be dollars, but I would gladly pay for that particular feature.
One of those things when you just wonder WTF they were thinking.
(I always get this feeling when renting some Chrysler product. :P Their ugliness, for the otherwise quite serviceable cars, never ceases to amaze me But then I only feel comfortable driving in BMW, Hondas and some Nissan/Infinity's)
And how do you get Brand Loyalty in the first place?
Other merits: Value for the $$$$, Packaging, Styling, Reliability, Ride comfort, Quietness, Features availability, Options availability and flexibility (try getting a power hatch on an Oddy, other than Touring model!)
The Ody WILL shut-off the lights if you leave a door open, after 20 minutes or something. What it will not do is automatically shut-off a light that was manually turned on (button pushed to the on position) and then forgotten. I still think it should shut-off the lights in this circumstance as well, so I'm not giving them a pass. But you don't have to worry about ALL the lights being left on because of a door cracked. It would take a significant amount of time to drain the battery with just one dome light left on, but it's still an issue.
Try getting a sunroof and side curtain airbags on a DC. That's just weird!
You can't deny "customizing" a DCX minivan is much easier than any Honda. I can mix any wheelbase, with many options to fit my needs almost perfectly.
I am not sure Crash test Experts NHTSA agrees with your comments, they are the experts in crash testing cars.
Please check odyssey rating at NHTSA
also a Odyssey Safety snap shot
There are high end DC models where all Safety features are standard. If Honda is so concerned about consumer safety, they should replace millions of old Honda's running with out basic safety featues with new ones for free.
Oh yes, they do, opening door fluke non-with standing. Odyssey passes with flying colors.
And in case you do not realize that, crashworthiness is only part of the safety evaluation in the reviews I was referring to. Accident avoidance (braking, roadholding, passing power etc.) plays a major role, and Honda spanks DC silly in this regard, which is duly noted by reviewers.
And safety of the occupants, that is not covered by by the crash test also plays a major role - this is a minivan after all. Were are curtain airbags with rollover sensors and occupancy sensors as a standard feature in DC vans?
So my statement is entirely correct and you may educate yourself further by reading all the professional reviews. It bears repeating: just check out ALL professional reviews. Odyssey safety does come out on top.
Yeah, lets just ignore flukes like flying doors, and lets ignore recalls on Safety items.....what was that last recall (#4 I believe??) for??? lets ignore the numerous issues on the wonderful Oddys.
Pretty impressive when you think that Dodge can earn same safety ratings as Honda's ACE structure (BTW - it's just marketing hype for "safety cage" something VW created with Golf in 1974). Hmmm and the Dodge is considered an old design even.
By ALL reviews, I'm sure you're referring to the glowing reviews in the car rags....such experts that they are. I happen to know a few of these "gods" personally....not too impressed.
The new Oddy is great if you don't mind paying thousands more, but if you can't swing $24k for basic Oddy, you can get a very reliable new DCX Minivan with warranty, state of the art safety features, and more peace of mind (driving new, not worrying how to make the payment etc..) for $18k
BTW - we are just talking MINIVANS here, not sports cars etc... a few extra G's road holding are meaningless unless you drive like an idiot, or you're passing in unsafe conditions, or riding someone butt to closely. Go buy a 911
If you're buying a minivan for what they're mostly intended for i.e...hauling kids, shopping or hauling.....the DCX vans come out on top. Just check the sales figures. If Oddys were that great, and with all their new capacity, Honda should be leading DCX easily.
Then I see on the Honda problem area that Honda is putting new trannys in their new Oddys!!!! Someone else got a whole new engine in their 2005 Oddy with 600 miles.
God! I thought Hondas were the zenith of perfection??? I thought Hondas never have problems??? I see comments about Dodges alway being at Dealerships and never lasting more than 80k miles.
What's going on here????
A close comparison showed me that a DC minivan is a much smarter purchase than an Odyssey. More comfort features for less money.
After coming very close to purchasing a new 2005 or 2006 Odyssey EX, I am now afraid to purchase a new Odyssey....a new vehicle that is plagued with reliability and other problems. :sick:
First is that just because one car is selling in greater quantities doesn't mean it has the better quality. If that were the case then the top 10 cars sold in the USA would equal the top 10 cars in overall quality, and I don't think anyone is saying that.
Second is that just because you, a friend or relative you know has a problem with a model or manufacturer then that defines low quality. I had a 1991 Escort that I drove 180K miles and during that time I changed the waterpump once at 115K and the alternator at 120K miles. My brother had a Honda Civic with 80K miles that needed a new engine. But I know that overall Civic's have less problems and higher quality levels even if in my limited experience that's not the case. And that holds true with Edmunds postings...they're not a scientific analysis.
Some of the key Quality survey's also highlight the trend.
Minivan Quality
DC made a 50% improvement in quality over the past 3 years, if you take the overall brand problems Chrysler is with in striking distance of Honda.
Quality issues can also be compensated by purchasing a 10yr/100K extended manufacturers warrenty for just $1000 from most manufactuers.
Even if Honda Odyssey customer want they cannot get Driver side inflatable Knee blockers which is again a minivan first on all Town&Country vans.
Again I would list all of the Chrysler Minivan Security features below, Yes, some or optional, but Customes will get it if they want. Nothing is forced on the Consumer, DC believes Consumer is the King, and should be given an option to choose.
2005 Chrysler Town & Country & GC SXT Safety features, everything is a STANDARD on the Limited
Minivan-first driver-side inflatable knee blocker
The knee blocker inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment to help position the driver relative to the air bag and offers additional upper leg protection.
Three-row supplemental side-curtain air bags
Three-row, A- to D-pillar side-curtain air bags provide full-length coverage for all rows of seats. The side-curtain extends protection to all outboard passengers. Both side-curtain air bags have independent impact sensors, which trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.
Advanced multi-stage front air bags
These air bags provide enhanced protection for a greater range of occupants at various deployment levels, based on the severity of an impact. The front passenger air bag is also equipped with a standard occupant classification system.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
The OCS determines the conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger-side front air bag, based on the weight of the occupant.
Minivan-first standard door alert
The alert signal lights activate when the power sliding doors or manual sliding doors are in operation, signaling that occupants are getting in or out of the vehicle.
BeltAlert
This system periodically activates a chime and illuminates a light in the instrument cluster to remind unbelted drivers to buckle up.
Rear park assist
This rear obstacle detection system offers an audible warning and rear overhead display.
Child seat anchor system
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) help ease the installation of compatible aftermarket child seats.
Enhanced accident response system
This system makes it easier for emergency personnel to identify a vehicle and reach the occupant by turning on the interior lighting and unlocking the doors after air bag deployment.
Constant force retractors (CFR)
CFRs are engineered to force-limit the belt system and gradually release seat belt webbing in a controlled manner during a severe impact.
Pretensioners
During a collision, the front seat belt pretensioners electronically sense a crash and immediately remove slack from the seat belts, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant's upper body.
Energy-absorbing steering column
The innovative stroking steering column uses "release capsules," which allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The column also features "tuned" metal bend straps that deform during column stroke for optimal energy management.
Front crush sensors
Two sensors located below the headlamps measure the severity of an impact and relay crash information to safety systems in the occupant compartment.
Tire pressure monitoring system
This advanced system monitors the pressure inside each tire and alerts the driver to improper tire pressure conditions.
Anti-lock braking system
Equipped with electronic sensors that prevent wheel lockup, the system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions
Some of the key Quality survey's also highlight the trend.
Minivan Quality
DC made a 50% improvement in quality over the past 3 years, if you take the overall brand problems Chrysler is with in striking distance of Honda.
Quality issues can also be compensated by purchasing a 10yr/100K extended manufacturers warrenty for just $1000 from most manufactuers.
Maybe I'm reading the chart wrong, but it looks like DCX has surpassed Honda??? (it's kinda small print for me to see).
However, the Sienna is still the quality leader.