Moving College Kids Home With The 2015 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite

2015 Honda Odyssey
The 2015 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite. Credit: Honda.com

Moving two college girls home is hard.

Moving two college girls home from their campus apartment in San Francisco to Los Angeles for the summer isn’t an easy task. They have lots of stuff, all crammed into boxes, duffel bags and laundry baskets.

To make sure we had enough room for all their belongings and five adults in one vehicle, we test drove a 2015 Honda Odyssey 5 Door Touring Elite minivan – recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Minivan for Families.

Room to stretch out

2015 Honda Odyssey
Lots of space in the 2015 Honda Odyssey. Credit: Mimi Slawoff for AGirlsGuidetoCars

The nearly six-hour drive to San Francisco in this eight-passenger minivan was a comfortable one for my husband, older daughter, and me. My daughter, who sat in the second row, commented that the seats had plenty of space between them and the vehicle’s automatic sliding doors on both sides. She was able to stretch out comfortably with her pillow, blanket and music. The second and third rows also have window shades – a great feature for sunny days.

Loading up the 2015 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite

2015 Honda Odyssey
Everything 2 college girls had at school fits! Credit: Mimi Slawoff for AGirlsGuidetoCars

Megan and her roommate, Paola, were waiting for us, mostly packed and still cleaning out their apartment. My husband took one look and commented that no way would everything fit in the Honda. But he was wrong. Box after box, duffel bags, and small appliances all fit in smoothly like a puzzle. There was even still room for the hand cart we had brought up to assist with the move.

A cool ride for a minivan

2015 Honda Odyssey
The infotainment system with large touchscreen. Credit: Mimi Slawoff for AGirlsGuidetoCars

It’s a pretty cool car for a minivan, all three girls agreed. Even my husband commented on the vehicle’s efficiency. One tank of gas got us to San Francisco, and another one back home.

Our favorite vehicle features

2015 Honda Odyssey
Blind spot information feature is perfect for busy cities. Credit: Mimi Slawoff for AGirlsGuidetoCars

My husband liked the blind spot information system feature that lights up when approaching vehicles are in your blind spot. Which happens a lot in a busy city like San Francisco!

The girls were thrilled with the ultra-wide 16.2-inch DVD rear entertainment system with HDMI and wireless headset. The USB port and power outlets kept my iPhone and Kindle charged. And we all loved the HD radio and XM satellite radio.

What I Loved

  • 6-speed automatic transmission
  • Multi-view rear camera (as a driver, I really love this feature!)
  • 650-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio touchscreen system with 12 speakers
  • USB audio interface
  • Dual power sliding doors
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Power tailgate
  • Heated front seats
  • Deep cargo space
  • Moonroof

What You Need to Know

  • U.S. News & World Report named the Honda Odyssey as the Best Minivan for Families five years in a row
  • Manufacturer’s suggested retail price – $44, 600
  • Fuel economy – 22 MPG (combined city/freeway)
  • Takes regular gas

2015 Honda Odyssey

 

 

 

 

 

Mimi Slawoff
Mimi Slawoff

A Los Angeles-based journalist and mother of three, Mimi Slawoff is a former newspaper reporter who began writing for regional and national parenting publications after the birth of her first child (now a college graduate!). With or without kids in tow, Mimi is passionate about traveling and writing about her adventures. Her articles appear in print and online.

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