With the Honda Odyssey transforming into a bigger, more high-tech device – to win buyers who might have opted for seven-seater SUVs or the Megatron of the people mover world, the Toyota Tarago – that phrase might be equally apt.

Before we took the big family hauler from Ballarat City Honda, sales manager Damian Shackell showed us all the nifty seat arrangements and infotainment goodies in the new Odyssey VTi-L.

More than meets the eye indeed.

But let’s start with the basics.

The new Odyssey is powered by a 2.4-litre inline four with 129kW peak power and 225Nm of torque – not huge but adequate.

It also has a continuously variable CVT automatic transmission but even this plays things differently by having a torque converter.

The upshot is it is smooth away from a standing start (other CVTs can feel like they are dragging a bit) and efficient at most speeds.

The cockpit is also more of a driver-friendly place than you would expect from a people mover.

The driver’s seat is upright and offi ce-like but the gauges and climate control functions have a more elegant layout than some rivals, and the iPhone 5 compatible infotainment system, complete with apps, which will eventually make its way on to more Honda models, is impressive.

Being so big could be a problem in terms of parking but with a host of cameras, different camera angles, and a colour screen with guidance lines, parking is relatively foolproof.

There is even a park assist system to take away some of the guess work. The driving experience is also surprisingly decent.

While hardly nimble, it is better on the road than most seven-seater SUVs moonlighting as people movers, in terms of steering and handling. But the truth is, vehicles like this are more about the passengers than they are about the driver.

For those who need to haul a large group of people, size matters.

The previous Odyssey was one of the sleeker people movers but it lacked the volume of the Tarago, for example.

However, the new one is wider and noticeably taller than its predecessor, which makes for more opportunities in terms of seating options.

Most modern people movers or MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) have clever seating arrangements but we haven’t seen too many as clever as the Odyssey’s.

The third row of seats is as comfortable and roomy as the second row on most cars, while the second row of seats in the higher-end VTi-L (the so-called ‘captain’s chairs’) are practically ‘business class’ with enough room to lie back and snooze, a footrest, and even the ability to be moved side-to-side to create more arm room or have a centre aisle.

The powered sliding side doors make getting in and out easy and, if carting people is not necessary, the seats can be folded down to create a roomy delivery van.

People mover buyers are usually prepared to sacrifice driving pleasure for practicality.

The Odyssey VTi-L ticks all the practicality boxes while at the same time being a decent steerer and comfy to boot.

In a sense, it is a limo in disguise.