by Gabrielle DeSantis

One of the most respected and well-received family haulers is the Honda Odyssey. This crowd-pleasing minivan continues to impress in a slowly dying segment. Still, buying a brand-new Honda Odyssey isn’t cheap. So you might consider a used model for your next purchase. But before you decide, you should know about some model-year hiccups. And one, in particular, you should avoid at all costs.

2010 Honda Odyssey minivans | Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Honda Odyssey has always shown up dressed to impress since its grand debut in 1995. The first generation came with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that saw an upgrade to a 2.3-liter variation in 1998. And the versatile minivan only got better from there, Car and Driver reports.

The second-generation Odyssey saw production between 1999 and 2004. Its revamped engine was a more robust 3.5-liter V6. Other improvements came in the form of convenience and functional extras, including dual-side sliding van doors. In addition, the Odyssey throughout those model years was more prominent in size than the first-gen.

By the time the third-generation (2005 to 2010) and fourth-generation Odyssey rolled out, even more dynamic improvements rolled with it. The 2011 base model offered five- and six-speed transmission variations. Honda updated the exterior styling and added an incredible new grille design that greatly improved the Odyssey’s look. 

Today’s models seat up to eight, offer ample cargo space, and pack a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6. Five trim levels let you customize your ride. And in many critics’ circles, it remains the pinnacle of minivans.

But a brand-new model can be pricey. The 2022 Odyssey costs between $32,290 and $48,020, depending upon the trim level and equipment, Edmunds reports.

The worst Honda Odyssey model year you should avoid

If your budget demands something more affordable than $40,000, you might be tempted to find a used model. It would be a smart move — as long as you stayed away from the 2010 Honda Odyssey.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2010 Odyssey may be the worst, thanks to its below-average reliability score and owner satisfaction rating. It earned a 2 out of 5 in both categories. And within the reliability category, the 2010 model earned 1 out of 5 for common issues with minor engine concerns and paint problems.

The 2004 Honda Odyssey comes in a close second for the worst reliability. Its Consumer Reports scores are equally dismal, with a terrible 1 out of 5. The most common areas of concern are major engine and transmission problems. In fact, the 2004 Odyssey has the absolute worst reliability rating of all the model years that CR has tested.

The best model year you can buy

If you’re looking to save some green, look for a 2016 model. According to Consumer Reports, that’s the Honda Odyssey’s best year. Its good reliability rating of 4 out of 5 and solid owner satisfaction rating of 3/5 make the 2016 the best overall Odyssey CR has reviewed.

Buying used is just savvy investing. And buying a Honda Odyssey won’t disappoint. Just steer clear of the 2010 model year. In fact, avoid every model from 2004 to 2010 to be safe. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a low-mileage 2016, and you’ll know you’re driving one of the best Honda minivans.

RELATED: Honda Odyssey Maintenance Costs Are the Highest of All Minivans, Consumer Reports Shows

The post Honda Odyssey: The Worst Model Year You Should Never Buy appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

  • 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite (MSRP $48,995)
  • The Honda Odyssey continues as the retail No. 1 minivan in America, a position it has held for 10 consecutive years
  • Pro: Beautifully comfortable and quiet
  • Con: Sluggish throttle requires a bit of goosing to get up and going
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

The Honda Odyssey is nearing legendary status. Despite the unfair and disrespected position of minivans in the automotive world, the Honda Odyssey has reigned supreme over the minivan world for 10 years running. During my 10-day 2021 Honda Odyssey review, we covered over 2,600 miles from uptown Manhattan down south to Birmingham, AL. After driving all this way, it’s easy to see why the 2021 Honda Odyssey remains one of the best minivan models on the market. 

Even though the refreshed 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite is dripping with new safety tech, automatic this and that, senors, screens, and a new look, it is thankfully still the same minivan that has proven to be America’s favorite year after year. The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s massive and comfortable driving position and passenger seat, two middle captain’s chairs, and a massive third-row seat seem to remain the minivan magic sauce. 

The 2021 Honda Odyssey has a fresh redesign 

2021 Honda Odyssey review shows a profile photo of the new van.
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

We love the Honda Odyssey, even if it isn’t technically the class leader for its segment. The 2021 Honda Odyssey is a few years into its fifth generation and just got an exterior redesign. The redesign is a fresh and futuristic look that even the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica can’t compete with. 

As with any good minivan, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is big. The exterior doesn’t hide the size, but it does well at making the family bus look sleek and modern. Although the Odyssey is large, it isn’t a cumbersome beast that takes an abundance of spatial awareness to drive safely. It handles its curb weight of 4,603 lbs gracefully enough, but the size is never fully forgotten.

Does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have a nice interior? 

View from the back seat of the cabin of a new Odyssey
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

Our 2021 Honda Odyssey review unit is the top-trim Elite. It has so many bells and whistles that getting acquainted with the interior felt more like touring a home than a car cabin. The interior is not only cavernous but cleverly designed to make the most of all of its space.

The driver’s position is very comfortable and offers a strong seating position giving great visibility all the way around. As a 6’5 220-lb man, I can say with certainty that the driver’s seat accommodates a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The rear seats are also huge and comfortable. Busting a 16-hour drive is still a bit of a slog, but the Honda kept me comfy and happy for the first 10, no problem. 

This minivan has more tech than I knew what to do with 

Honda minivan cruising down the highway
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

Feature content is impressive on all models, and clever innovations like the integrated vacuum, Cabin Watch camera system, and Cabin Talk intercom make the spacious Odyssey feel purpose-built for family duty. There are endless buttons and compartments for what feels like any need that could arise on the road. Even though Consumer Reports disagrees on some points, they agreed on the incredible fit and finish from their 2021 Honda Odyssey review.

EX trims and above include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and satellite radio support. Top-spec models offer a 10.2-inch rear entertainment system equipped with Blu-Ray capability. 

Most Odysseys utilize a seven-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, but my high-end Elite trim for the 2021 Honda Odyssey review includes an 11-speaker premium setup which sounds really great. From your summer road trip playlists to movies on the rear entertainment system, the audio is bold, balanced, and crisp, adding to the luxury feeling of the Odyssey. 

The Honda Odyssey isn’t a race car and isn’t trying to be one

2021 Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans on the market
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

Handling isn’t the Odyssey’s strongest attribute, but no one is really asking for it to be. The Honda Odyssey was made to shuttle the fam to and fro while keeping parents comfortable and kids safe and occupied. The current car market trends seem to want everything to do a little bit of everything. The truth is, your crossover SUV doesn’t need a “sporty” model, knobby tires, and bulletproof glass. However, some have compared the Honda Odyssey to a Lamborghini.

While we are on the subject, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is powered by a 280-hp V6 across all trims. This V6 is paired with a slick 10-speed automatic transmission. Even though most of my time in the Odyssey was spent on the highway, the gear shifts were rarely ever felt or considered. 

That being said, the 280 hp runs out of steam a bit earlier than you might think. Again, the Greek tale of adventure for which the minivan is named is an apt comparison to Odyssey’s power; it’s a long, slow burn but not without plenty of enjoyment and distracting moments of wonder and comfort. In fact, this mobile living room manages to pull down an average of 28 mpg on the highway, according to Honda. I managed to average 30.5 mpg driving from NYC to Alabama with a light foot and an open road. 

The Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans because it knows what it is. It is slow, big, and a tad cumbersome in the corners because it’s a minivan. If you want something “cool” or fast, buy something else. If you want something safe, reliable, large enough to carry the family, and you don’t have a fragile ego, minivans were made for you. And, the Honda Odyssey is a strong choice despite its somewhat chunky performance specs. 

Is the Honda Odyssey safe? 

Honda Odyssey interior back seats
2021 Honda Odyssey back seats | Honda

The Honda Odyssey is a very safe minivan. In the IIHS safety tests, the Odyssey performed flawlessly in all six crashworthiness tests. The 2021 Odyssey also has the best possible “Superior” rating for its now-standard front crash prevention system and the highest available score for child seat anchor ease of use. For a minivan, this is the equivalent of a sub-3-second 0-60mph sprint for sports cars. 

As of this model year, every 2021 Honda Odyssey trim level includes the Honda Sensing collection. Honda Sensing is a set of active safety features that include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. 

Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey the best minivan? 

That all depends on taste and needs. The Odyssey is a lot like the Ford F-150; it doesn’t have to objectively be the best to be the most popular minivan in the game. 

The Honda has so much going for it. It is huge, comfortable, well-designed, reliable, and decent looking. However, it’s not without its cons. It can be a bit of beefcake around town. This doesn’t mean it’s hard to drive (it’s not), but you may find yourself needing to consider its length and heft often while navigating the Chuck E Cheese parking lot. The safety features are great, but the lane keep assist can get a little annoying after a while. Lastly, there are no hybrid or AWD drive options which would only strengthen the model. 

Of course, the pros vastly outweigh the cons, and the cons are mostly nit-picky nothings that mostly represent a need to not only gush about the Honda minivan. With an MSRP of $48,995, the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite makes buying many crossovers, and even some SUVs seem a bit silly, considering the number of features and comfort you get for the money. 

Does the Odyssey cost a lot to own?

Silver Honda driving down the highway.
2021 Honda Odyssey | Honda

The 2021 Honda Odyssey isn’t an expensive vehicle to buy, but like every car, it does require some investment to keep it running well and staying safe. Edmunds has broken down the cost of ownership as a little more than $1,000 a year. Although there are loads of tech and electronics, which raises the likely hood of problems, in general; it’s still a Honda.

Unlike many luxury European cars, repair costs will come in far lower than anything else with this amount of luxury and tech features.

We gave the 2021 Honda Odyssey a score 8.3/10

There is little that can compare to a proper minivan. The space and comfort in the 2021 Honda Odyssey are hard to beat for the money. The fully-loaded Odyssey is pushing up against luxury brands for half of the money and twice the reliability. We gave the 2021 Honda Odyssey a score of 8.3/10 overall.

Fear not the judgemental eyes of the car world. Minivans aren’t lame. There are vehicles for confident, smart, and industrious individuals who know a good value when they see one. The 2021 Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans in the game, making it one of the smartest purchases if you need what it graciously offers to those of us bold enough to accept. 

RELATED: Wisely and Slow the Minivan Doth Go

The post 2021 Honda Odyssey Review, Pricing, and Specs appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s finally here! We get to see the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 in all of its potential glory. The new Chevy Silverado ZR2 certainly looks the part as Chevrolets’ beefiest off-roading truck. However, did they do enough to compete against rivals like the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor? 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 is ready to compete 

2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 | Chevrolet

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 is a step in the right direction for massive off-roading trucks. However, it does things a bit differently. It doesn’t have a prehistoric predator name. The Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX both reference dinosaurs. 

Plus, the new Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 doesn’t take things to a ridiculous level with over 700 hp. But it still has plenty of off-roading upgrades for Chevy fans to enjoy. But the Ram 1500 TRX begins at around $72,390, so the ZR2 could have a modest price in comparison. 

The official price hasn’t been released, but we can expect the Silverado ZR2 to arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2022. 

How much power does the Silverado ZR2 have? 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 comes with the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine that’s found in the regular Silverado 1500. It provides 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor has a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. 

Also, the Silverado’s engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, the Silverado ZR2 can tow up to 8,900 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,400 lbs. 

Now let’s look at the suspension. Each ZR2 model comes with Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) shock absorbers. You also get uniquely tuned springs and an upgraded skid plate package. Take advantage of the new high approach steel front bumper and an electronic front locking differential in addition to the rear locker. 

With the 33-inch tires and 2-inch factory-installed suspension lift, the Chevy Silverado Z2R has a ground clearance of 11.2 inches. It has a 31.8-degree approach angle, 23.4-degree break-over angle, and a 23.3-degree departure angle. 

The ZR2 sits about a half-inch taller than Silverado models equipped with the Z71 Off-Road package and Trail Boss models. It’s also only available with the crew-cab body style and the short or standard length cargo boxes. 

Does the Silverado ZR2 have good features? 

2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 interior
2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 interior | Chevrolet

Yes, the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 looks excellent. It has 18-inch wheels, a black hood insert, a unique grilled with integrated lighting, and ZR2 badges to separate it from the rest of the lineup. The dual exhaust is behind the bumper to protect it from possible damage. 

The interior features unique Black/Graystone leather. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel sits beside the new 13.4-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto come standard. The system is compatible with Amazon Alexa and features Google voice assistance, maps, and an app store. 

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. You can opt for adaptive cruise control. 

This seems like a good start for the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2, and we can’t wait to learn more about it. However, it doesn’t have the amount of power that its rivals bring to the table. We hope it has a reasonable price. 

RELATED: The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Can’t Keep Up

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Chevy Silverado is a wonderful choice for the full-size light-duty pickup truck segment. It offers beefy engine options, high towing and payload capacities, many utility features, and off-road prowess. For even greater off-road capabilities, the Silverado adds a ZR2 off-road truck to the lineup for the 2022 model year. Read more to find out its release date and pricing.

2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 availability and cost

2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 | Chevrolet

The 2022 Silverado will be released in Spring 2022. Chevrolet didn’t announce the official pricing of the ZR2 yet, but the starting price of the off-roading truck is expected to be around $55,000. 

What is the meaning of ZR2?

ZR2 is the label and model name that General Motors and Chevrolet give to its trucks and SUVs that are designed and engineered for enhanced off-road capabilities. The first models to get the ZR2 treatment were the GMC Sonoma and Chevy S-10 pickup trucks in 1994. In 1996, the Chevy Blazer and Tracker added ZR2 models. 

After a hiatus for the ZR2 line, the Colorado midsize pickup truck gained a ZR2 model in 2017. Now, the Silverado, the bigger sibling of the Colorado, offers the pinnacle of Chevy off-road performance with the new ZR2 model for the 2022 model year.

What off-road features does the 2022 Silverado ZR2 offer?

ZR2 badge on blue 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 | Chevrolet

The 2022 Silverado ZR2 comes equipped with many off-road features to enable it to head off the beaten path with ease. This includes an exclusive skid plate package, 33-inch off-road MT tires, front and rear e-lockers, a high-approach steel front bumper, and uniquely tuned springs. Also, the Silverado ZR2 has Multimatic spool-valve dampers, which help to keep the truck planted to the ground when traversing challenging surfaces. Additionally, for one-pedal driving at low speeds over rocky terrain, the Silverado ZR2 has a terrain Mode. 

With its massive tires, the Silverado ZR2 boasts an approach angle of 31.8 degrees. The breakover angle of the Silverado ZR2 is 23.4 degrees, while its departure angle is 23.3 degrees. 

2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 engine specs and towing/payload capacities

RELATED: 2022 Chevy Silverado vs. 2021 Chevy Silverado: Is the New Model Worth Waiting For?

Propulsion for off-road journeys in the Silverado ZR2 comes courtesy of its 6.2-liter V8 engine. Mated to 10-speed automatic transmission, it doles out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Do you have a camping trailer that you want to tow to your favorite wilderness spot? The maximum payload capacity of the Silverado ZR2 is 8,900 pounds. For payload, the Silverado ZR2 has a capacity of 1,440 pounds.

Design features of the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2

When heading off-road, it’s likely that the bumper of your vehicle will take a considerable amount of beating. The Silverado ZR2 addresses this with the removable end caps for the bumper, enabling easier replacement. Also, to prevent damage to the dual exhaust, it is located before the rear bumper.

The functional design features of the Silverado ZR2 are complemented by several exclusive aesthetic design features. This includes a distinctive grille with a “flow-tie emblem,” unique 18-inch wheels, a black hood insert, ZR2 badges, and a Jet Black/Graystone leather-trimmed interior.

RELATED: The 2022 Chevy Silverado Won’t Drive Until You Buckle Up

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