Our 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan has only been with us for 2–months, but we’ve already racked up 4,000–miles, had the seats arranged in every configuration possible, and loaded it full of equipment for our annual trek south to our winter testing facility. 

This family truckster may not win anyone over on its exterior design, but that clumsy styling is just a clever disguise; as spending any time at all inside the cabin, reveals the Odyssey is really a luxury-sedan in mom-mobile’s clothing.

At least in this well-outfitted Elite; where heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, and premium audio are all standard.

Early reports are positive, with the 3.5-liter V6 averaging a fine 23.7 miles-per-gallon so far.

We’ve put just over 6,000-miles on this 2018 Honda Odyssey since it arrived in December. And it speaks volumes about how things are going when the only complaint in our log book over that time, is in regards to the cup holders. It seems one of our constantly hydrating staff members can’t seem to find a substantial water bottle or coffee mug that properly fits them; first world problem indeed. Otherwise, it’s been smooth sailing, whether we’re daily commuting or weekend getawaying; the 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 has provided smooth and seamless power. 

Aided by an equally good-natured 10-speed automatic transmission, we’re averaging 22.4 miles-per-gallon. And we still love the numerous storage options seemingly everywhere in the cabin, as well as space galore for hauling just about anything. With warm weather arriving, vacation season is about to kick in full, and the Odyssey will no doubt be a big part of that. 

In just five months’ time, we’re at the 10,000-mile mark in our Honda Odyssey minivan. Everyone thinks they’re above the “lowly” minivan, until they need to move something big, or take a basketball team to a post-victory party; and then they’re not so worried about the mom-mobile image.

The fact that the Odyssey’s 2^nd row seats don’t fold into the floor like the Chrysler Pacifica is well documented; but the seatbacks in our Elite tester don’t even fold flat, requiring you to remove them to haul long, bulky items. And, boy are they heavy. And while we’ve also commented before on the 3.5-liter V6’s great power, and are on record as not being fans of the push-button transmission control; we’ve heard no complaints yet, about the 10-speed automatic’s operation itself. It’s been smooth all the way.

Long term mileage has stayed fairly consistent, up a tick this go-around to 23.8 miles-per-gallon.

Another 2,500-miles added to our 2018 Honda Odyssey’s odometer.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; minivans truly are the most practical vehicles out there. What other vehicle allows you to haul 7 or 8-adults in comfort one minute, and after folding and removing seats, haul full sheets of plywood or an 80-inch flat screen the next; all while being so easy to drive and park, you wouldn’t think twice about letting your neighbor borrow it for a few hours. 

While doing all of that and more, we’re averaging 23.3 miles-per-gallon from a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers power better than many V8’s from not long ago. Yes, there are many ways to “haul” in this family truckster.  

As for our 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan, this summer has been a busy one. We managed to travel another 4,500-miles since our last report, bringing its 7-month total to 13,900-miles. 

And we also made our first unscheduled trip to the dealer. We were getting some pulsing through the brake pedal, which was quickly remedied by a resurfacing of the rotors; no charge to us. 

Nothing else has gotten in the way of our enjoyment of this quiet and an quite luxurious cruiser. The 3.5-liter V6 engine continues to deliver gutsy performance, making uphill chores not so chorish. All while delivering 25.7 miles-per-gallon.

Visibility is great; and all of the tech. features are working just fine, including the much easier to use Garmin-based navigation system.   

We’ve covered 18,000-miles of mostly highways in the 8-months that this 2018 Honda Odyssey has been in our fleet. And as expected, this summer has been a busy one, taking us on odysseys up and down the East Coast. 

We’ve had interesting weather around here, epic rainstorms… extreme heat… and the Odyssey has handled it all in stride. 

We still enjoy the highly refined, almost luxury car experience; as well as all of the power from the 3.5-liter V6. Mileage is averaging a fine 25.6 miles-per-gallon, and it nudges 30 on long hauls.

But long or short haul, lightly loaded or packed to the gills, the Odyssey remains a great ride for a family on the move.    

Time with our 2018 Honda Odyssey is also winding down. We’re 9-months in, and the odometer has measured a healthy 21,500-miles. More than healthy, is our uptick in fuel economy, now sitting at 26.2 miles-per-gallon. 

It succeeds mightily at doing what minivans are designed to do, haul a big family around with great comfort, and once you remove and fold the rear seats, load lots of Costco sized cargo. 

Do we miss the all-wheel-drive and ground clearance of a crossover when the weather and roads turn bad? Sure, but it hasn’t stopped us from racking up the all kinds of miles in the Odyssey. 

“Most people are shocked when we mention a minivan in our list of favorite cars, but the Honda Odyssey has absolutely earned its spot. The miles we put on it this summer came mostly from vacation road trips; a number of those on flat highways to Maryland’s eastern shore, hence the increased fuel economy. It’s comfortable for the driver and the passengers, plus there’s so much usable space, we found ourselves bringing along completely unnecessary items.”

The summer travel season is now well-passed, but that hasn’t stopped our 2018 Honda Odyssey from racking up the miles. 

In 11-months’ time, the odometer sits at just over 25,000-miles. If that seems like a lot, that’s because it is. Factor in the…shall we say heavy-handed or footed nature of some of the drivers around here, and it’s amazing how well this Odyssey is holding up. 

Our 26.0 miles-per-gallon average is perhaps even more noteworthy, as power from the 3.5-liter V6 continues to be strong, no matter how many people or how much cargo we’re hauling. 

Most folks refuse to believe it, but the humble minivan is a much better choice for most families than the SUV they’re currently driving. 

We only have a few more weeks to keep driving and enjoying this one. 

Our year is almost up with this 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan, the most useful vehicle type of all time. With a few small exceptions, the Odyssey’s stay with us has been exceptional! Just like we are used to from Honda. It certainly “ran like a deer” over these last 26,000 miles of very hard use. 

Through all the road trips both long and short, seat comfort remains a true high point, and not just for the driver. Second row seats are equally comfortable; and that means less complaining from the brood in back.

There were a few nits to pick when the Odyssey first arrived, and we recently had a loose fuel filler assembly replaced under warranty. 

But, it’s been nothing but praise over the last few months; and average fuel economy has remained steady at 25.8 miles-per-gallon of regular, with over 30 during highway cruising.

Time to wrap up our time with the 2018 Honda Odyssey. This Elite-trimmed party for eight was a popular choice for road trips; evidenced by traveling 30,800-miles over just 13 months.  

In an automotive landscape that seems to have every possible automotive niche filled, sometimes you just need a minivan. And whether you are hauling the neighborhood’s brood; or just your own family with all of their gear, the Odyssey never disappointed. We even averaged a great 25.4 miles-per-gallon.

Other highlights were the exceptional ride, comfortable long haul seats, and near luxury-car refinement; not to mention the interior flexibility that truly makes minivans the Swiss Army knives of the automotive world. The Odyssey will be greatly missed. 

Nissan introduced the 8th generation Sentra back in 2020 and for 2024 it received a mid-cycle refresh, which is why we just gave this Sentra SR a full road test. Well now we’ve decided to hang on to it for a little longer and see how it handles our daily driving duties. So, let’s dive a little deeper into what exactly we’ll be living with.

As mentioned in our Road Test, the 2024 Sentra receives an updated front fascia, which continues to feature Nissan’s V-Motion grille design. This SR-grade Sentra receives a rear makeover and these wheels are a new design measuring 18-inches. The Monarch Orange Metallic Paint is considered premium and costs an extra $645. It’s contrasted by a black roof, RED SR badges and dark chrome trim.

This car has the $2,500 Premium SR package, which means inside there are features like a moon-roof, leatherette seats, 8-speaker Bose sound system and a heated steering wheel.

The SR uses the same 2-liter 4-cylinder as other Sentras with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque going to the front wheels through an updated CVT.

All told, this 2024 Sentra SR stickers for $29,320 after destination.

The Sentra has officially moved over to our Long Term test lot, but we’ll need to put on a few more miles before our first official update. Until then, if you have any questions or comments, reach out to us at MotorWeek!

This 2024 Nissan Sentra may look familiar, as we just tested it at the end of our 43rd season. Well, Nissan said we could keep it for a little longer and we gladly accepted.

We certainly have some plans to roll up the odometer from the just 500 MotorWeek test miles on it so far. And because of that, our fuel economy picture is still being painted. So far, we’ve observed 28.4 mpg. We fully expect that number to climb close to the EPA-estimated 33 Combined rating now that our Road Test crew is done flogging it for performance numbers.

And those numbers were gathered from this 2.0-liter inline-four, sending 149 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through a now quite refined CVT automatic.

While not the peppiest powertrain, it, combined with the sport-tuned multi-link rear suspension, makes this Sentra a very enjoyable partner on the daily grind.

So far, driving this Sentra has been quite pleasant. The steering is light, the ride is comfortable, yet confident, but for me it’s these seats that Nissan does so well. They’re supportive in all the right places and they hold up really well on long trips. It’s a nice touch of class in this segment of sedan.

In all fairness, the Sentra is meant to be an affordable, practical daily driver. Not only does it accomplish that, it goes well beyond thanks to an interior that one of our testers say “punches well above its class.” And the eight-speaker Bose sound system is an audible cherry on top of this compact sedan shortcake.

We look forward to living with this bona fide daily driver.

We’re back with the second update on our 2024 Nissan Sentra. Despite winter closing in fast, this bright orange compact sedan is staving off our seasonal depression.

And that starts with a pleasant, but not totally-unexpected surprise. Remember in our first update when we said we’d aim for that EPA-estimated 33 Combined miles-per-gallon rating? Well, at 33.5 MPG of Regular, we’ve exceeded it. And that’s after nearly 3,000 miles added in about six weeks’ time.

Also exceeding expectations is the drive itself. One log book comment harps on just how fun it is to drive, even commuting, with great reserve power and, while a tad light, a precise steering setup. The comment concludes with, quote, “20 years ago, most sport sedans didn’t behave this well.”

Considering how long some of our staffers have been MotorWeek reviewers… it’s safe to take their word for it. And in the driver’s seat, it’s readily apparent.

“This Sentra is pegged as a commuter car, but we’ve taken a number of long trips with it recently and it’s surprisingly fit for the open road. The increased dimensions compared to previous Sentras keep it from feeling cramped inside and its road manners at highway speeds are improved as well.”

In and out, our 2024 Nissan Sentra has been an excellent compact for whatever we’ve asked it to do, and so far no glaring faults. We’ll keep you in the loop if anything comes to mind.

General Motors has made a massive investment in battery-electric vehicles. And Cadillac went out on the furthest limb when it vowed to ditch internal combustion engines for all new models, starting with this Lyriq, which just rolled onto our long term test lot. So, let’s dive into the details.

This Cadillac Lyriq belongs to one of our associates who has generously allowed us to test it for one year. Painted Argent Silver Metallic, the Lyriq clearly follows the “long, low and wide” design mantra. Overall length is just shorter than the midsize XT6, but wheelbase is actually longer than the full-size Escalade. Wheels are 20-inchers wrapped in 265/50 all-season rubber.

Inside, there’s a 33-inch curved glass screen displaying info from the left side of the steering wheel all the way over to the far end of the center console. It is a touchscreen but the infotainment can also be controlled remotely. Speaking of control, this Lyriq comes equipped with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance. A 19-Speaker AKG sound system can make things loud and even quiet with Cadillac’s Active Noise Canceling system aimed at mitigating road noise.

The second row is split 60/40, and when in their upright position, cargo capacity is a great 28 cubic feet.

The Lyriq is available with two electric motors for all-wheel drive, but this one is rear-wheel drive with just a single motor spinning up 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. A 102-kWh battery pack provides the juice for 312 miles and DC fast charging can replenish as much as 76 miles in just 10 minutes.

After we get a few charges under our belt we’ll have our first official update. Until then, if you have any questions or comments about this Cadillac Lyriq, reach out to us at MotorWeek!

It’s time for the first Long Term update on this full battery-electric 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ, owned by one of our associates. With about 1,000 miles on the odometer, the results so far are music to our ears.

The initial high note is the powertrain itself. The rear-wheel-drive single electric motor quietly hums to the tune of 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque; not as extreme as some other EVs, but extremely pleasant and plenty for daily workouts.

Driving this LYRIQ on a daily basis, the first thing we notice is, ironically, something we barely notice at all: road noise. It’s really quiet in here. In addition to sound deadening materials, Cadillac uses active noise cancellation. So, they fight sound with sound and it does a really nice job of adapting to various frequencies to keep road noise consistently low.

Also low is our range anxiety, reaching the advertised 312 miles of range from the 102-kWh battery. The onboard Super Cruise suite takes even more stress out of commuting, and the bliss of electric propulsion lives up to the ethos of luxury motoring, as do the exceptional materials and 33-inch curved screen, adding to the inviting atmosphere. That screen is home to just about all vehicle functions, and above it is a crystal-clear rear camera mirror. Digitally, this cabin is top rate; and like Baltimore’s own Lyric Opera House, the Cadillac LYRIQ is built like a work of art inside and out.

It’s been a couple months since we last brought you an update on our long-term 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ. But that’s not because we’ve been shy behind the wheel.

Quite the contrary actually: Our digital odometer reads 8,500 miles, about 7,500 more since our last plug. We did take it to the dealership about a thousand miles ago for a tire rotation and a software update; but beyond that, we haven’t had to do a thing maintenance-wise.

We’re still finding the 340-mile range to be accurate, but one piece of kit we recently picked up was a charging adapter, converting the LYRIQ’s CCS plug to a Tesla-style NACS port. With the proper software update, this adapter opens up a world of Superchargers for us to enjoy, even further cutting down on any range anxiety.

Not that we feel much behind the wheel…

“The LYRIQ continues to be very pleasant to live with. This is the single motor, rear drive version so we’re not exactly getting thrill-ride-acceleration when we get into that right pedal, but it’s more than enough for this upscale daily driver. Admittedly we still haven’t come around on having to go through the center touch screen for some of the basic functions, but we can’t deny that it does add a certain level of futurism to the cockpit.”

An example of a “basic function” hidden by menu diving is the garage door opener. Things like that may be better left to physical controls, or at least less digital navigation, but that’s about the extent of our complaints so far. Needless to say, we’re rather happy with the LYRIQ.