When I researched the Odyssey it seems to also be prone to transmission problems (http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/) which is why it came off my list.

You’re forgetting that it is also nice to have the option to carry passengers in addition to your family from time to time. With more space you can bring your children and their cousins to the zoo, or pick your grandparents up for dinner, etc. It’s really more than just once a year.

You’d be surprised. I currently have a son and a medium sized dog and drive a Fusion. When we go on our week-long summer trips that car is packed to the gills. We have a second child due soon and I honestly don’t think we can manage two car seats, the dog, and all of our stuff in the Fusion at all.