http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102245

Pretty interesting article.

 

So the Odyssey squeaks by the Freestyle with a more family-friendly package, but what about price? That’s a big factor when it comes to family budgets, and the difference—almost $7,000 as-tested—is significant. I’d go with the Ford (even though it still looks like a minivan, and yes, that matters), get better performance, and use the leftover money to take the kids to Disney World. —CARRIE ROCA

that comment sums it up for me. Honda is a great car but 7k is a big difference.

 

Well shit, no wonder there was such a huge difference in price. They picked the single more expensive model of the Odyseey and pitted it against a lightly optioned Freestyle.

Sure the difference won't be cut down by that much, but it does explain a lot.

Still, the comparison isn't completely fair since the Odyssey is definitely a big minivan while the freestyle, as the editors stated, is more of a tall wagon like the pacifica.

If they want a fair comparison, this needs to be between the the Freestyle and the tidier dimensioned JDM Odyssey.

Props to Ford, nonetheless, for getting something right, finally.

 

I figured the FreeStyle was severely underpowered but considering this comparison I guess its not. The styling of the Freestyle still leaves alot to be desired IMO. The Ody IMO looks good.

I know you don't buy a Minivan for its performance but I'm fairly sure the Ody in the MT test last month that pitted it against the Sienna and Caravan did 0-60 ix 7.x and the 1/4 mile in 16.1 or so. Not 8.9 and 16.8 like in this article.

 

Someone forgot to turn off VSA?

 

Why are they comparing SUV against minivan?

 

Freestyle is not an SUV, not at all comparable to an explorer or pathfinder. Much more similar to pacifica or other crossover vehicle

I think it was more of a people hauler vs people hauler. 2 different takes on the same task.

 

They should've picked the EX-L instead of the base Touring for the test. It's just more fair in terms of price. If people only look at the price of the comparason, of course the Freestyle would win hands down because of the $7k advantage. The Touring costs $35k while the EX-L is $31k including destination. I went to the Ford site and did a build up of a Freestyle Limited AWD and added comparable features the Ody has and the price came up to be at $33k.

Either way, if you ask me, I would take the van over a crossover. I like the concept, but the van is a lot more practical.

On the side note, the gas mileage figures on the Ody are totally wrong. The sticker states that I would get 20/28 city/highway. Well, our van got nowhere close to those figures. We do almost 80% city and the best we got was 17mpg. Makes us feel like we are driving my Explorer all over again...but with more power and more room.

 

my uncle just picked up the odyssey~typical honda quality, great engine~ and it doesn't look that bad for a mini van~

all i can say is.....HONDA Minivan>other minivans~


edit....freestyle is a minivan?


edit2~ the article seems bias~!

my unlcle picked up his non leather odyssey EX for $27,400~

 

It's a great van!! It has gobs of power and can do it extremely smooth and quick so no jerks from the tranny at all. My parents bought it for $30,100 out the door because they opted for the leather, sunroof, heated seats and the VCM.

You're right...doesn't look bad at all for a minivan:

 

C&D recently did a minivan review and totally hated the Ford.

Ford was last, Odyssey was first.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

 

C&D really needs to do a full comparason test with the new Ody. Even MT did it.

 

thats not the car tested in this article

Freestyle does not = Freestar

 

I bought my parent's old 00 Odyssey EX and my parents have an 05 Odyssey EX-L. My Odyssey highway driving gets about 21-22 MPG the new Odyssey gets about 25.

BTW: because my dad works at Honda we got an EX-L with tax,tags, and everything for 28k.

however: because my parents are nice I got my Odyssey crazy cheap. It has 110 k on it. New tires(less than 1000 miles on new Michelins), the 105k service job just done to it, trailer hitch, and in great shape i got it for 9 grand.

BTW2: I wouldn't have a Ford minivan if it was given to me. I drive my wife's old beater occassionally(we got my old Accord,the Odyssey and Ford Contour), God what a turd. it only has like 100,000 on it and I'm glad I have my Accord i drive regularly. my Accord which has almost 3 times more miles feels more solid.

 

how about freestyle vs freestar? ford vs ford

 

exactly I don't even think a Freestar=Odssey.
it's like the Hyundai compare's it XG350 to a TL. whatever.
Chevy compare it's Cobalt SS to a new RSX-S(other than the SS have 10 more HP what does the SS have on the RSX-S)

 

we do highway/country driving 90% of the time we get 25 mpg.

now about the Freestyle: I wonder if someone at Ford didn't pay autoweek to take Honda's most expensive model. vs Ford's middle or lower model. Of course there's gonna be a big price difference.

It's like comparing a V-6 Accord to a TL. yeah the V-6 Accord gonna be cheaper but the TL has more goodies and a little more hp and I feel a nicer looking car. however gotta pay a little more for it.

BTW:If the ford squeaks when it's new can you imagine at 100 k or 150 k. that thng will sound like it's ready to explode.

 

Honda > Ford

The reliability of the Americans compared to Japanese would be enough for me. And that article is just slightly biased They should compare two similarly equiped cars to start. And like others said, the numbers for the Ody seem low compared to other tests.

 

this is a side note: the new Freestyle is a DOG as far as power. I was on 161 east bound(it's in columbus so i didn't have to get on 270 the outerbelt around columbus) 161 2 lane in each direction. we were at a stop light waiting.the dude in the Freestyle was being a dick. and I think it was a UAW member. he had a UAW sticker on his almighty freestyle bumper. the dude in freestyle starts yelling "your a damn american sell out." I roll down my wife's window.(because i'm in the left lane waiting for the light to change. I said "what's going on man?" he said "your f--cking jap piece of crap is american sell out?" I laughed and said "first of all it's not crap it's better put together than your hunk of shit Ford and second it's not american sell out it's built in america." he said "no it isn't it's japan shit" I said "look dumbass redneck my dad works for Honda i know where hondas are built. my honda 5 years old and it will kick the shit out of your new almighty Ford." he said "really you think that." (it was a good mile to the next light). I said" yeah when the light goes green i'm gonna own your ass."
the light went green.
It was all I could do to hold him back in the low rpms.like 20-30 mph(I know because Hondas have little torque) once I hit the V-TEC i was GOOOOOOOOONE. I got up to the next light I was like "you have some great minivan huh? you got owned by a 5 year old Honda? he said whatever it's still a Piece of shit man.
I'm like whatever your a stupid ass.

 

I don't understand why the comparison had to be made anyway. They're just different cars

 

I havent tried the Freestyle but have tried the new Ody. The Ody is by far the BEST minivan on the market IMHO......and yes! I tried out the current gen Sienna XLE Limited. If I sense that my 00 Quest is about to die, I'll def pull the trigger on the Ody EX-L w/Navi. (I just wish it had HIDs and 17" wheels like the Sienna.)

True, and I do understand the logic of your post. But there is some 'discussion' about vehicles that would make for better alternatives to the minivan but arent full blown SUVs. In Ford's case they HAVE TO find something because the Winst....er....Freestar has been a complete BUST so far.

Commentary about minivans: While minivans arent the most flattering vehicles to be seen in (understatement), they have some noteable advantages over conventional SUVs: better mpg than SUVs, cheaper OTD pricing, cheaper insurance rates, comfy seating for 7 and better performance (exc. higher performance SUVs). I'm on my second one and have to admit that they have been the most handy vehicles I've ever owned. (Then again, I'm not all that image conscious. )

 

Water-S, you raced a van? WTF. Wow, your dumb.

 

it's a sleeper dude I've ran even against a 95 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with a V-8. Everyone thinks oh it's a mini-van it doesn't have anything. it holds it's own. I'll admit it's not a WRX or Evo but it does well for what it is.

 

 

I think I would take the lesser of two-evils in the Freestyle.

Honestly believe that I will never own a mini-van. Now the future wife might....

 

Yeah how could you even compare the two...

Freestyle = Pacifica

Freestar = Odyssey

Now having said that... How could you pit the industry standard for too many years running to keep track against any Ford...

Pllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease...

Honda any day of the week... not even close...

Cheers
ciao

 

I know two people that have had their Odyssey tranny blow on them and other miscellaneous problems; I don't have too much faith in Odyssey minivans when it comes to reliability anymore.

 

See how experiences can be so varied...

You've heard that, whereas I've nothing but good things about the Odyssey and never a bad thing...

I will admit my bias I have NEVER been a Ford fan... So therein lies some of my distrust and distaste for the brand...

I know Henry Ford is rolling in his grave with some of the stuff they have been putting out...

Cheers
Ciao

 

ford still sucks, honda hands down

 

Price the tires for the Odyssey, if you don't live in a major metropolitan area chances are the only place able to service them will be the dealership and it will cost you about $2400 for a set of replacement tires. That alone would sway me from getting one. The pax tires are a great selling feature until you have to replace them!

I can see a lot of Odysseys with aftermarket wheels in the years ahead, and then they don't have a spare tire(to the best of my knowledge).

 

The PAX system applies only to the Touring model. Other models (LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L RES, and EX-L R/N) use conventional tires...big tires (235-65R16). I called Michelin regarding that issue. The representative said that many Michelin and Honda dealers are becoming PAX-certified where it requires a special machine in order to replace worn out tires. That way, when you need to replace those tires, the tire shop or the dealer will change just the tires, not the rim/tire combo.

People misunderstood about the PAX system that it requires new rims and tires when they wear out. In reality, the "$2,400" is for new tires and rims. As I've said before, a PAX-certified shop or dealer can just change out the tires for about 10% more in terms of cost than conventional tires. IMO, that's not as bad as I thought. Lets say a conventional tire for the Ody is $125 each, then the PAX tire would cost around $140 each.

The Odyssey Touring features a tire pressure monitoring system. If you switch out the stock rims to aftermarket rims, then the system will go haywire, the MID will go crazy.

 

that tire monitoring stuff is going to be a real pain in the butt in teh future, esp with tire prices, maintanance

 

Thanks for the information about what models came with the PAX tires, I wasn't aware it was an option.

If you think its only going to be 10% more to have them serviced think again. I service PAX tires and we charge $60+ per mount and balance for a PAX tire, and people say that's reasonible compared to what other places are charging in this area. Compared to the $12 per tire for a normal tire and $15-20 per tire for high performance and speciality wheels its significantly more money.