Compare the2023 Ford Transit Connect WagonVS 2023 Honda Odyssey

The Transit Connect Wagon’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Odyssey doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Transit Connect Wagon and the Odyssey have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Transit Connect Wagon is safer than the Honda Odyssey:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Transit Connect Wagon is safer than the Honda Odyssey:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Transit Connect Wagon’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Connect Wagon has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Odyssey’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Transit Connect Wagon gets better fuel mileage than the Odyssey (24 city/28 hwy vs. 19 city/28 hwy).

The Transit Connect Wagon stops much shorter than the Odyssey:

The Transit Connect Wagon’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Odyssey’s standard 60 series tires.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Odyssey doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Transit Connect Wagon’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Odyssey (120.6 inches vs. 118.1 inches).

The Ford Transit Connect Wagon may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Honda Odyssey.

The Transit Connect Wagon is 1 foot, 3.2 inches shorter than the Odyssey, making the Transit Connect Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Transit Connect Wagon is 6.3 inches narrower than the Odyssey, making the Transit Connect Wagon easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Transit Connect Wagon has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Odyssey (167.1 vs. 163.6).

The Transit Connect Wagon has 6.2 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 6.2 inches more rear headroom and 3.6 inches more third row headroom than the Odyssey.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Transit Connect Wagon uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Odyssey doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Transit Connect Wagon and the Odyssey have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Transit Connect Wagon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Odyssey prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Odyssey’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Transit Connect Wagon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Odyssey doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Transit Connect Wagon offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Odyssey doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Transit Connect Wagon Titanium’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Odyssey doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Transit Connect Wagon will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Transit Connect Wagon will retain 51.49% to 52.41% of its original price after five years, while the Odyssey only retains 46.93% to 49.27%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Transit Connect Wagon will be $5071 to $13888 less than for the Honda Odyssey.