| bzboy |
Ever since we have had our son I' ve been thinking about getting my wife out of her subaru legacy and getting her into a bigger car for safety reasons. I currently drive a 03 MDX touring and been thinking about upgrading to either 05 mdx or 05 ody. I'm leaning more toward the mdx reason being mainly the AWD capability of the mdx. We live on a steep hillside in the mountains that doesnt get much sunshine during the late afternoons. I have seen numerous cars slide downhill while my mdx has had zero problems getting down and up. I am worried that the ody will not be up to the challenge of a slippery ice hill.
Just wondering if other people have compared these two cars and what they decided. Thanks for any advice |
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| slocko |
If you can't have another car that is 4 wheel drive or AWD, I would stick with the MDX.
I have both 05s because the Odyssey just doesn't perform that well on snow and ice. I use the 05 Odyssey for family trips and the wife uses it for taking the kids to school. I use the 05 MDX for my daily 60 minute commute.
The thing the Odyssey has going for it is simple convenience you get in a minivan versus suv. If safety is paramount, then minivans obviously have lower roll over rates.
I will tell you that the Touring Odyssey rides real nice. Sporty feel to the suspension and good power. |
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| eckojeanskid14 |
you know if you puT the (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM REALLY HELP.WHAT IS DOSE, IS IT PUTS MORE TRACTION ON THE FRONT TIRES SINCE IT'S FWD.
note:TCS should not be use if not needed because it can cause wear and tear to your tires. |
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| MacJag |
I would opt for the MDX just for the AWD. Even if you plan on a family expansion you'll have plenty of room.
Good luck with your decision. |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by bzboy
Ever since we have had our son I' ve been thinking about getting my wife out of her subaru legacy and getting her into a bigger car for safety reasons. I currently drive a 03 MDX touring and been thinking about upgrading to either 05 mdx or 05 ody. I'm leaning more toward the mdx reason being mainly the AWD capability of the mdx. We live on a steep hillside in the mountains that doesnt get much sunshine during the late afternoons. I have seen numerous cars slide downhill while my mdx has had zero problems getting down and up. I am worried that the ody will not be up to the challenge of a slippery ice hill.
Just wondering if other people have compared these two cars and what they decided. Thanks for any advice
The Odyssey is one hell of an awesome vehicle (if all Minivans were made this good, they wouldn't be getting the bad rap they get). Here are a few comparison notes:
4-wheel-drive:
While the MDX may be a good choice for it's 4WD system, you have options for the Odyssey as well. If you equip it with 4 good winter tires, it will hands down beat the "traction capabilities" of an MDX shod will all-season tires. Several tests performed by Road & Track, Car & Driver and Motor Trend conifirm this. I recall a specific test where a Camry equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, tested on ice & snow, out-accelerated, out-braked and out-stopped a 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokee shod with all-season tires. I've heard this from several people who've had a similar experience with FWD cars and 4WD vehicles as well.
Luxury:
The top-of-the-line Odyssey Touring Limited is loaded with options and practically has everything the loaded MDX has, and for about 8 or so grand less to boot - the latest Navi, DVD entertainment which even has a larger 9" screen versus the 7" screen in the MDX, etc. etc. etc.
Performance & Fuel Economy:
The Odyssey's performance is just a notch behind the MDX. (255bhp vs. 265bhp.) Torque is almost similar. The Odyssey's fuel economy is WAAAAY better than the MDX, because the Odyssey comes with VCM (variable cylinder management) which deactivates 3 cylinders when not needed. MDX 17city/23hwy vs. Odyssey 20city/28hwy)
Safety:
First off, the top model Odyssey is heavier than the heaviest MDX (The Touring/NAV/RES model) - 4504lbs. vs. 4634lbs. Second, and more importantly, the Odyssey has Honda's new ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure. That is not to say that the MDX is not safe, but rather the Odyssey is the ULTIMATE safety cocoon.
Passenger Comfort/Room:
They Odyssey beats the MDX hands down when it comes to passenger room. Its interior is FAR & AWAY larger than the MDX. The MDX's third row seat is practically useless for anyone but pre-teens and toddlers. If anyone suggests going for an MDX over an Odyssey for interior space, it's got to be the most ridiculously inaccurate statement I've ever heard :rolleyes: Both the MDX and Odyssey ride comfortably, but I personally feel the Odyssey is a couple notches smoother.
Off-road ability:
This is pretty much the only area (at least in my opinion) where the MDX would have an edge over the Odyssey, and it's a slight edge at that, because the MDX is suited for relatively light duty off-roading due to it's limited ground clearance. The aforementioned 4-wheel drive is an advantage too, but if it's only "all weather capability" you're looking for, then winter tires would make this a non-issue, and as someone mentioned above, the fact that the Odyssey had traction control would help even further.
Styling and Image:
I really can't comment about this, because I'm more of a "practical" kind of guy and don't pay much attention to these things. However, if the "image of driving an SUV" is important to you, then this might be another point in favor of the MDX. |
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| eurohazard |
vicpai.......excellent analysis! :claphead:
One thing about the all wheel drive comments. I agree a front wheel drive car w/ "winter" tires can handle snow very well. But the Car and Driver writers are practically professionals when it comes to driving-at-limits. I think the average driver might be better off just having an AWD vehicle. |
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| carguy1234 |
quote:
Originally posted by vicpai
4-wheel-drive:
While the MDX may be a good choice for it's 4WD system, you have options for the Odyssey as well. If you equip it with 4 good winter tires, it will hands down beat the "traction capabilities" of an MDX shod will all-season tires. Several tests performed by Road & Track, Car & Driver and Motor Trend conifirm this. I recall a specific test where a Camry equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, tested on ice & snow, out-accelerated, out-braked and out-stopped a 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokee shod with all-season tires. I've heard this from several people who've had a similar experience with FWD cars and 4WD vehicles as well.
While I agree in principle that good winter tires with FWD are better than all-seasons with AWD, that just isn't possible with an Odyssey Touring. That model has proprietary run flats that can't be replaced with winter tires. I would have considered a fully loaded Odyssey if I would have been able to put Nokians on it. So I'm going to buy an MDX, and replace the tires with Nokians.
Case and point about good tires Vs AWD: My 2001 Sienna (FWD without traction control or stability control) rides on awesome Nokian tires. In winter driving, it far outperforms our Saturn VUE (AWD) with junky Bridgestone Duelers (among the worst production tires available in my opinion). The VUE will get Nokians this fall.
I'm in MN, and drive "up north", and into Canada quite a bit, even in the winter. Tires are the most important consideration. Then the traction/stability/ and 4WD&AWD systems, in my opinion. |
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