Model Year | 2014 | 2015 | |
Model | Honda Odyssey | Fiat 500L | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 w/DoD OHC-4v 248 hp@5700 250 lb-ft@4800 |
turbocharged 1.4L I4 OHC-4v 160 hp@5500 184 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Minivan, ext. | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 118.1 in | 102.8 in | 15.3 in |
Length | 202.9 in | 167.3 in | 35.6 in |
Width | 79.2 in | 69.8 in | 9.4 in |
Height | 68.4 in | 65.7 in | 2.7 in |
Curb Weight | 4396 lb. | 3254 lb. | 1142 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 21.0 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 7.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.7 in | 40.7 in | -1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 64.4 in | 57.3 in | 7.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 58.2 in | 54.9 in | 3.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.9 in | 40.0 in | 0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.5 in | 38.7 in | 0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 63.5 in | 54.6 in | 8.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 66.1 in | 49.4 in | 16.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 40.9 in | 36.7 in | 4.2 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 38.0 in | 0.0 in | 38 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 60.9 in | 0.0 in | 60.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 48.4 in | 0.0 in | 48.4 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 42.4 in | 0.0 in | 42.4 in |
Total Legroom | 124.2 in (over 3 rows) | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 47.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 38.4 ft3 | 22.4 ft3 | 16 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 93.1 ft3 | 22.4 | 70.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 148.5 ft3 | 68.0 ft3 | 80.5 ft3 |
2014 Honda Odyssey Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | I test a large crossover and think, "This third-row seat isn't bad." Then I drive a minivan and marvel at home much roomier it is inside than even the roomiest crossovers. This advantage increases the farther back in the vehicle you sit. Back in the third row, it's simply no contest. Among minivans, the Odyssey is the roomiest of the bunch. It's the only minivan with over 40 inches of legroom in each of its three rows. Total up the differences in the official specs, and the Toyota Sienna comes up nearly ten inches short (though the difference doesn't seem nearly so large in reality, maybe an inch or two). A Chrysler Town & Country? Over fourteen inches. A Toyota Highlander crossover has legroom specs similar to the Chrysler minivan, but its third row feels much more cramped. Moral of the story: don't trust the specs, sit in the cars yourself. In cabin breadth, the official specs have the Odyssey about equal to the Town & Country and a little narrower than the Sienna, but subjectively both the Honda and the Toyota feel broader and more open than the Chrysler. Then there's access to the rear rows. The feature most associated with minivans, their sliding side doors, are easier to open in tight parking spaces and provide a much larger opening. In terms of seat comfort, the Odyssey falls a little short of the Sienna, if only because it doesn't offer lounge chair-like legrests in the second row. Then again, for anyone over five feet tall to use these in the Toyota the second row seat must be slid back so far as to render the third row unusable. Either minivan has more comfortable second-row seats than most crossovers, including the Highlander, and third-row comfort is simply no contest. The Chrysler's second row seats aren't as comfortable, as they are more thinly constructed to enable them to fold beneath the floor. The Odyssey, Sienna, and Highlander can each be equipped to carry eight passengers (though the lounge seats in the Sienna eliminate one spot, and the three in the third row of the Highlander best have short legs). The Chrysler minivans can only seat seven. see full Honda Odyssey review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Honda Odyssey.
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | The front seats in the 500 (no L) aren't my favorite aspect of the car (to put it lightly). Those in the 500L are totally different. They're not luxurious. They're not sporty. But they're firm without being overly firm and the way the seatback angles forward from its midpoint provides excellent mid-back support. A power lumbar adjuster is available, but the tested car lacked this feature and I didn't miss it. The Soul's front seats are flatter, firmer, lacking in lumbar support, and generally much less comfortable. see full Fiat 500L review |
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The 500L's rear seat, which slides and reclines, is mounted very high off the floor, and consequently provides better thigh support than most. Slide it all the way back, and legroom is plentiful (if still not as plentiful as in the Kia). But combine the high cushion with the optional panoramic sunroof, and even though I'm only 5-9 my scalp nearly touched the headliner. Anyone who intends to carry people over 5-10 in the back seat best skip the sunroof. Without it the 500L has much more rear headroom. see full Fiat 500L review |
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 160hp 1.4L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
This isn't a problem for me exactly, but I've noticed other reviewers have mentioned it. The front seats are firm and I've been told that the seat fabric in some of the other models can be a bit slick. It took me a few days to get fully accustomed to the seats and find the position that works best for me. I like the firmness because it gives extra support. It's certainly something you'll want to pay attention to when you test drive it. see full Fiat 500L review |