Sorry for digging-up a month-old thread. I had just registered as we're looking at the Pacifica (and the '18 Odyssey) as our next family vehicles. We have four children (newborn, 2yo, 6yo, 8yo), and currently drive an MDX, whose lease is expiring in the summer. It's a polished SUV with AWD capability, and it's been serving us fairly well over the last two years. However, after the arrival of our last (and final) child, cargo capacity is very limited. I barely squeeze a stroller behind the third row, never mind anything else.
Many people in this thread cite Android Auto/Apple Car Play as a major deciding factor. While our MDX doesn't have that capability, our other car (VW GTI) does, and in my experience, I have never used it. We get our car music through XM radio (and on-occasion, use my phone to play music through Bluetooth connectivity). I have found the number of apps that work with Android Auto/Apple Car Play very limited. I suppose some would like the flexibility to use Google Maps for nav, but I personally use Waze. And since Waze is not (yet) Android Auto/Apple Car Play ready, it's just another example of the infancy stage the whole system is in.
With four kids, cargo space is a much larger determining factor. Honda Odyssey has much more cargo capacity behind 3rd row vs. Pacifica. I also prefer Honda's implementation of in-ceiling entertainment system, which allows 2nd and 3rd row occupants to enjoy a movie. Pacifica's seat-back screens restrict entertainment use to just two occupants, leaving kids in the 3rd row to play with themselves. I can already hear the arguments raging in the back
The panoramic sunroof on the Pacifica is just gorgeous, and I understand that's probably the reason they implemented the screens into the seat-backs.
Love the in-floor storage where the 2nd row seats fold into. In practice however, I don't see us using this function (ever). We have four car seats in place, so using this function would force me to remove those first. In the end, we just don't haul anything that large. I'd rather opt for the hitch receiver, and rent a trailer from Uhaul like I usually do, whenever we go Ikea shopping.
So from the seat-perspective, I prefer the new Odyssey's implementation of seats that slide sideways, and implement seat-belts into the seats. I think this is much more useful.
One of the major drawbacks of the Pacifica is really the small cargo space behind 3rd row, and entertainment screen implementation.
Another vehicle we're looking at is the Suburban with 2nd row captain's chairs. I consider SUVs safer in side-impact crashes, because the occupants are sitting considerably higher off the ground. I wouldn't want to know what getting T-boned in the Pacifica feels like :-(
Sadly, the Suburban really lacks finesse and tech, and the center console just feels VERY dated and cheap for what the vehicle costs.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Odyssey in-person when it hits the showrooms this spring. I think the in-ceiling camera that lets you spy on the kids is a bit gimmicky, as is the intercom system, but I can see how they'd come-in handy on certain occasions.
We'd be purchasing the top-of-the-line trim level, and safety tech there seems evenly matched.
Just sharing my thoughts guys, and sorry again for digging this up from a month ago. It's always useful to join these forums where you get a chance to exchange ideas and opinions on your next vehicle.
