Inside, Honda's approach has made the Odyssey one of the most versatile minivans in
terms of seating configurations. The Odyssey is available with seating for six or
seven. Only the LX is available with either 6- or 7-passenger seating. The 6-passenger
version is the more expensive, and the EX is available only as a 6-passenger van.
Six-passenger models have two front bucket seats, two removable second-row bucket
seats and a 2-person third-row bench seat. The removable seats weigh about 25 lbs. and
are easy to take out.
The 7-passenger configuration provides a 2-passenger third-row bench seat which
retracts completely and easily into the floor to provide a flat and open cargo area.
An unplanned stop at the lumber yard or an antique shop allows the driver to simply
flop the third-row bench seat into the floor and fold second row seats up against the
back of the front seats to carry the goods home instead of returning home to remove
the seat as is the case with other minivans.
Or, you can use the Odyssey as a camper--the middle and rear seats fold down to make a
day bed. The rear seat also can be flipped onto its back to create a tabletop for
tailgate parties.
Despite the clever configurations, however, the rearmost seat does have a drawback.
Adult passengers are likely to experience difficulty climbing in and out of the third
row seat and will find it a tight squeeze once there. Also, the spare tire is mounted
inside the van at the right rear, which limits the rear cargo area somewhat.
On the other hand, storage for miscellaneous items is abundant throughout the Odyssey,
with a variety of glove boxes, door pockets, storage bins and cupholders. In front,
there are two large glove boxes and a center storage bin along with cupholders.
The instrument panel will be comfortably familiar to Honda loyalists. Conventional
analog gauges are legible. Controls are logical and easy to find, reach and operate.
The Odyssey meets all passenger car safety standards, including the 1997 side-impact
standards. It features 5-mph bumpers and dual airbags.
As one would expect of a vehicle developed from a passenger car platform, the Odyssey
offers the most car-like ride and handling of any minivan on the market. However, this
is more than an Accord with a minivan body. Honda's chassis team engineered additional
structural reinforcements into the basic Accord unitbody structure, and stretched the
wheelbase by 4.5 in., with benefits to both ride quality and responsiveness.
The Odyssey offers only one engine, a 140-hp 2.2-liter single overhead cam 16-valve
4-cyl. engine that's a variation on the basic Accord engine. No V6 is offered, even
though one is available in the Accord.
Under most circumstances, the engine operates smoothly and quietly. One won't suffer
whiplash with the acceleration from the engine, with a 0-to-60 mph time of 12 seconds.
But for around-town driving, the power and acceleration are adequate, and, with an EPA
mileage rating of 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, fuel stops will be less frequent
than in larger, V6-powered minivans.
Load the van with people and their belongings, however, and one might wish for more
horsepower. The 4-cyl. engine begins to sound a little busy in climbing steep hills or
pushed hard for passing.
Likewise, the Odyssey is available only with an electronically controlled 4-speed
automatic transmisison, also used in the Accord. The very smooth transmission contains
a system of sensors and computers--called Grade Logic--that adapts shifting to driving
conditions.
The Odyssey also features the Accord's sophisticated all-independent suspension
system. All Honda cars and now its minivan have a double wishbone suspension, instead
of the more common and less expensive MacPherson struts. The advantage is that
undesirable wheel movements in cornering are minimized, and the handling responses are
more precise.
Steering light, precise and responsive, and the tilt-adjustable column allows the
driver to compensate for the wheel's rather flat angle, which is mildly reminiscent of the old Volkswagen microbus.
Parking is easy with the Odyssey's small turning radius. Braking, supplied by 4-wheel discs with antilock as standard equipment, is very good.