
The chassis of the Odyssey is introduced as follows: 1. Front Suspension: The new Odyssey adopts a MacPherson strut independent suspension in the front, which is the most widely used type in front-wheel-drive vehicles. 2. Rear Suspension: The rear suspension has been changed from the previous generation's independent suspension to a torsion beam non-independent suspension to increase interior space. 3. Materials: In the Odyssey's chassis components, the front suspension lower control arm is made of aluminum, and one end of the lower control arm uses a hydraulic bushing, while the rest of the suspension components are made of steel. 4. Others: The overall chassis protection is minimal, with a protective plate under the engine compartment. The arrangement of the spare tire, fuel tank, and exhaust pipe is also quite unique, clearly showing the design efforts to maximize interior space in the Odyssey.

I've been driving the Odyssey for several years, and the chassis gives me a sense of stability and comfort. The car uses a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension design, which makes it smooth over speed bumps—passengers in the back, including the elderly and children, rarely complain about discomfort. The ground clearance is moderate for an MPV, so there's no need to worry too much about scraping the undercarriage when going down to underground parking or over rough patches, though it's still best to drive slowly on really bad roads. The steering feels light, making it easy to handle in the city without feeling bulky, and there's minimal body roll at high speeds, which is reassuring for long family road trips. The only downside is the larger turning radius, which means you might need a couple of extra turns when making U-turns on narrow roads.

Having worked on car repairs for so many years, I've disassembled quite a few Odyssey chassis. The front suspension features a common independent design, while the rear uses a solid axle structure with high parts commonality, making repairs straightforward. The underbody protection is comprehensive, with an especially thick steel plate under the engine compartment. Aging rubber bushings are a common issue, often causing squeaks after seven or eight years. The rear suspension shock absorbers are prone to oil leaks, especially when consistently carrying heavy loads, accelerating wear. The exhaust pipe layout is quite reasonable, making catalytic converter replacement much easier than in sedans. Overall, the chassis uses solid materials, and costs are relatively friendly among MPVs.

Both of our kids love riding in the Odyssey, mainly because the suspension filters out bumps exceptionally well. When going over those consecutive speed bumps near the school, the body sway is very gentle, unlike some cars that make loud banging noises. The chassis tuning is clearly biased towards comfort, with some body roll during turns but nothing that makes you nervous. The ground clearance is just right, so the kids don't have to struggle to get in and out. Once when picking up the kids in the rain, water came up halfway over the tires but didn't get into the chassis. The only downside is that the chassis insulation is average, and tire noise is somewhat noticeable at highway speeds.

Every time I drive the Odyssey to pick up clients, I appreciate its chassis stability the most. The steering wheel's return force is just right when turning, and the body doesn't feel floaty during emergency lane changes. The ground clearance is about 15 cm higher than sedans, offering better passability but slightly weaker cornering support. The factory-fitted Bridgestone tires provide excellent grip, giving confidence during rainy-day braking. The chassis rigidity is sufficient, preventing the body from feeling loose on continuous bumpy roads. It's recommended to regularly inspect the chassis rubber bushings, as aging rubber components can affect the overall driving feel.

When studying MPV chassis design, I found the Odyssey to be quite clever. The front suspension uses a MacPherson strut design to save engine compartment space, while the rear torsion beam frees up more passenger area. The fuel tank is deliberately centrally positioned for enhanced safety in rear-end collisions. The chassis is generously coated with anti-corrosion layers - even after 5-6 years in coastal cities, no rust-through was observed. With 162mm ground clearance (lower than GL8 but higher than Sienna), it achieves a good balance between passability and center of gravity. Unsprung mass is well controlled, making bump absorption crisp. To me, the most impressive aspect is the rear cargo floor height - 10cm lower than comparable models, making luggage loading exceptionally effortless.


