Honda has finally released its pricing for new 2014 Odyssey. While you might be wondering about what prices for new minivans would car manufacturers show you, what you really should be thinking about is how much you are ready to pay for a new vacuum cleaner. Yes, you’ve got it right. Here is the deal, the 2014 Odyssey debuted at New York auto show with brand-new built-in vacuum called HondaVac. The idea is so simple and obvious that it is surprising that it was implemented only this year. I can imagine Chrysler engineers blaming themselves for not coming up with the idea first. However, the car is pretty pricy, 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite is going to cost $45,280.

Anyway, the device is not the only update in the car. Further I’m going to cover the rest of new features. Let’s start with safety. There is a LaneWatch, the feature that allows a driver to control the blind spot on the passenger side using a camera and a display on a dashboard. Besides you get Forward Collision and Lane Departure Warning systems as well. As for the transmission, now there is no diversification based upon the trim one chooses. No matter which of the trims you choose (LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, or Touring Elite), you still get a 6-speed automatic transmission. Consequently, the fuel consumption rate becomes the same for all; it is 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Before such rates were available for Touring and Touring Elite models only while the rest of trims had lower ratings. Further you can see the prices and what is new about each model.

2014 Odyssey LX – $29,655, which is $150 more than it was a year ago. You get the mentioned 6-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth, and 4-way power driver’s seat.

2014 Odyssey EX – $32,955 (+ $300 over the price of 2013). LaneWatch blind-spot display, 270-watt sound system, pushbutton start, which allows you to start you car without using keys, dual dashboard display screens and 17-inch wheels made of aluminium.
Odyssey EX-L – $36,455 (+ 400 over the price of 2013). In this trim you get leather seats, multi-angle rearview camera, and such safety systems as Forwards Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
Odyssey Touring – $42,710 (+ $350 over the price of 2013). Here you get multi-angle rearview camera as well, along with 18-inch wheels and entertainments system for rear-seats.
Odyssey Touring Elite – $45,280 (+ 425 over the price of 2013). Neural 5.1 sound system with 12 speakers with total of 650-watt, and the mentioned HondaVac vacuum.

If you think about it, pricing for new Odyssey didn’t raise that much, especially if you consider the fuel-economy that is possible with new transmission in the lower trims. It balances it out pretty good by itself. I wish Honda put their innovative HondaVac in lower-spec models as well because kids don’t really care how much your car costs, they still would be just as messy.