View Photos of our Long-Term 2018 Honda Odyssey

The Odyssey averaged 23 mpg during its stay with us, while the Pacifica was just behind it at 22 mpg. The Honda's $566 in service costs was almost identical to what we spent on the Pacifica: $572.

The only out-of-the-ordinary service the Honda required was a pair of replacement rear window switches around 17,000 miles, which was covered under warranty, as well as an infotainment issue.

Over 40,000 miles of testing, the Odyssey distinguished itself as the driver's choice in the minivan segment. It absolutely does not feel like a mail truck from behind the wheel, thanks to its well-sorted, firmly damped suspension; accurate steering; and athletic 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

The Honda infotainment screen's menus, which, intuitive and responsive to touch inputs though they may be, fall just short of Chrysler's brilliant Uconnect system.

Early in the Odyssey's test, its logbook overflowed with tales of woe centered around a nonfunctional touchscreen display. Remote starting the Honda or sometimes merely starting it the old-fashioned way from inside the vehicle would result in a blacked-out touchscreen, no audio, and occupant confusion. After a local dealer verified our issue, it worked with Honda's tech support to determine that our Odyssey needed a new digital audio tuner unit.

The Odyssey's captain's chairs are bulky and heavy, a liability when it comes time to remove them to make way for vehicle-filling cargo. (Owners may also choose to simply fold the seatbacks forward and stack stuff atop the chairs.)

Once removed, the seats also leave behind a lumpy floor surface that isn't as kind to slide-in cargo such as boxes or slabs of wood.

If a built-in vacuum cleaner is a must-have, both the Pacifica and the Odyssey offer one, although the Pacifica makes you give up the spare tire to get it.

After some 80,000 miles of vanning in the last few years, we'll put it this way: If maximum seat flexibility, ride comfort, and sleek looks are priorities, then the Pacifica is more your jam.

Those seeking maximum seating comfort and the best possible minivan-driving experience should sign up for an Odyssey.