Compare the2023 Honda OdysseyVS 2023 Mercedes Metris Passenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Odyssey are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Honda Odyssey has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Odyssey deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Odyssey’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Metris Passenger’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Odyssey has a standard Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Odyssey’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

The Odyssey has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Metris Passenger’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Odyssey’s standard Cross Traffic Monitor uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Odyssey and the Metris Passenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, collision warning systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Odyssey its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Metris Passenger has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The Odyssey comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years 36,000 miles. Honda will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Mercedes doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Metris Passenger.

The Odyssey’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Metris Passenger runs out after 100,000 miles.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Odyssey for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Metris Passenger.

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

Reliability

The engine in the Odyssey has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Metris Passenger has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Odyssey’s reliability 20 points higher than the Metris Passenger.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey first among minivans in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Metris Passenger isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Honda higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 19 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Engine

The Odyssey’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 72 more horsepower (280 vs. 208) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Metris Passenger’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Odyssey gets better fuel mileage than the Metris Passenger (19 city/28 hwy vs. 18 city/22 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Odyssey’s fuel efficiency. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Odyssey’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Odyssey uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Metris Passenger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Odyssey has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Metris Passenger (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Odyssey has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Odyssey, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Metris Passenger.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Odyssey’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Metris Passenger:

	Odyssey	Metris Passenger
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Odyssey has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Metris Passenger. The Odyssey Sport/Touring/Elite has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Odyssey has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Odyssey has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Odyssey flat and controlled during cornering. The Metris Passenger’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

Chassis

The front grille of the Odyssey uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Odyssey uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Odyssey has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 5.1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more third row legroom than the Metris Passenger.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Odyssey’s middle and third row seats recline. The Metris Passenger’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Odyssey’s cargo area provides more volume than the Metris Passenger.

	Odyssey	Metris Passenger
Behind Third Seat	38.6 cubic feet	37.4 cubic feet

The Odyssey’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Odyssey Elite’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The Odyssey has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Odyssey has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Odyssey EX-L/Sport/Touring/Elite’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Odyssey’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Metris Passenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

Smart Entry standard on the Odyssey allows you to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mercedes Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Odyssey’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Metris Passenger’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Odyssey has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

The Odyssey Touring/Elite’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Metris Passenger’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Odyssey detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Odyssey to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Odyssey has standard power remote mirrors. The Metris Passenger only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Odyssey’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mercedes charges extra for heated mirrors on the Metris Passenger.

When the Odyssey EX-L/Sport/Touring/Elite is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Metris Passenger’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Odyssey EX-L/Sport/Touring/Elite’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Odyssey Elite keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Odyssey Elite’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Odyssey has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Odyssey Touring/Elite has a standard center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The Odyssey has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Odyssey Elite has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Odyssey Touring/Elite has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Honda Odyssey has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Odyssey	Metris Passenger
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a

The Honda Odyssey outsold the Mercedes Metris by almost four to one during 2022.

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