How Does the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Compare to the Honda Odyssey?
Ford stopped making minivans back when the last Windstar rolled off the production line in 2003. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not making a super-competitive alternative in the passenger van space. The Ford Transit Connect might be of particular interest to today’s minivan buyers despite not actually being a traditional minivan.Â
If you’re minivan shopping and not getting too excited about your options, check out the Ford Transit Connect. Compare it to the popular minivan, the 2023 Honda Odyssey. Well, we did the comparisons for you. Let’s see how the Ford Transit Connect stands up to the segment-dominating Honda Odyssey.
Meet the 2023 Ford Transit Connect
Don’t let the name or vehicle category deter you. If you need passenger and cargo space with convenience extras, the 2023 Ford Transit Connect will not disappoint. You’ll have three trim levels from which to choose, including the XL Passenger Wagon ($35,600), XLT Passenger Wagon ($37,715), and Titanium Passenger Wagon ($39,800), according to Ford.Â
Minivan buyers will immediately appreciate the seating capacity for seven. Additionally, if cargo space matters, you’ll enjoy plenty of room. There are dual sliding doors, just like your traditional minivan. Moreover, you can choose how you’d like your rear doors to open, either with a liftgate or rear cargo doors that swing 180 degrees.
All the Ford Transit Connect models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 162 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, according to Edmunds. You can also add big, fun extras like a towing package, leather seat surfaces, heated seats, and a panoramic roof for all the plushy feels of a comfortable minivan.
The 2023 Honda Odyssey is the undisputed champion
If you’re comparing anything to a minivan, the Honda Odyssey is your benchmark for excellence. It continues to be the undisputed champion in the minivan space, with all the hallmark amenities, comforts, and convenience you’d expect from Honda. Trim levels include the EX ($37,490), EX-L ($40,560,) Sport ($41,360), Touring ($44,600), and Elite ($49,620), according to Honda.
This 30-year veteran at the top of the minivan food chain is infused with magical features and creature-comfort amenities, including the Honda Sensing Suite of driver aids, the Collision Mitigation Braking System, and the Road Departure Mitigation System. Additionally, you can’t beat the Magic Slide second-row seats and a hands-free tailgate. With a removable middle seat in the second row, you can choose to seat seven or eight passengers.Â
Lastly, under the hood, the 2023 Honda Odyssey has a 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of harnessing 280 horses.
How the two vans compare overall
The 2023 Ford Transit Connect won’t challenge the 2023 Honda Odyssey in any substantive way. After all, it’s not really a minivan. It’s not as impressive in the categories of luxury, engine performance, or technology as the Odyssey. However, because it has many impressive minivan-like qualities, with the capability to equip it for a more comfortable experience, it can pique the interest of certain buyers.Â
The Honda Odyssey is more powerful, offers more comfort and convenience options, and provides more robust trim options. However, if you need a quality ride that hauls your favorite things and people, the Ford Transit Connect is the more affordable alternative. Take another look at the Transit Connect soon, though. Ford announced the 2023 model is the last year it will be available in the U.S.
Before buying a minivan, don’t neglect the minivan-esque Ford Transit Connect. It’s not a minivan and doesn’t try to be. Still, it does have plenty of minivan characteristics you might appreciate, making it a better buy for what you need in a seven-seater.
