A Family Affair
“We’re already all connected to the Wi-Fi,” Miguel Cortina Sr. says through the window as I approach the scarlet minivan. He’s speaking for himself; his wife, Cecilia; his daughter Fernanda; and his eldest son and Motor Trend en Espa–ol editor, Miguel Jr. They’ve been in the van less than five minutes.
The Cortina family has joined me and photographer Robin Trajano on Hawaii’s Big Island for the launch of the all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey, and they’ll be consulting on our review. Yes, I’m a professional car reviewer, but I don’t have children, and I’ve had little experience loading kids and their stuff into a minivan. I can tell you how the Odyssey rides and handles, but the Cortinas have owned seven from four automakers (including two Odysseys) over nearly 20 years. They know them inside and out.
It’s obvious when we stop for a break. The family is digging around the cargo area, and Cecilia is working the third-row seats like a pro. Before Miguel Jr. or I can say anything, she’s got them folded and stowed. “Super easy,” she says.
“That’s a really cool thing what you’re doing there, Robin,” Miguel Sr. says from the second row. Robin is working the “Magic Slide” second-row seats, which slide not only forward and back but also side to side. Pop out the middle seat, and the outboard second-row seats can be manually slid toward the center of the car in several positions. It makes a lot
