The four sedan doors and a low step-in height make getting in and out
of the Odyssey as easy as getting in and out of--that's right--a sedan.
Bucket seats provide a comfortable chair-height driving position. Gauges
are placed directly in front of the driver, though there is no tachometer.
The stereo and ventilation controls are immediately to the driver's right.
All controls, save for the column-mounted automatic transmission lever,
in typical Honda fashion, set the standard for ease of operation. And the
Odyssey offers a plethora of storage compartments and beverage holders.
In back, the Odyssey's two variants, LX and EX, diverge. In the less
expensive LX, there's a choice of six- or seven-passenger seating. Six-passenger
versions feature two removable buckets in the middle row, while the seven-passenger
offers a folding bench. Seven seats, with a base price of $23,955, cost
$410 less than six.
The $25,945 EX is offered only with six-passenger seating and includes
aluminum alloy wheels, power sunroof, a power driver's seat, six-speaker
audio system, keyless remote entry and body-colored mirrors and side molding.
Clearly, the EX qualifies as loaded, but the LX has plenty of standard
equipment too. That's in sharp contrast to many other minivans with low
base pricing followed by trim levels that can vary the price on the window
sticker by as much as 50 percent.
Front and rear air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette audio and ABS are all
included in the base price of any Odyssey. Not to mention a fourth door,
which is optional at Chrysler and GM.
At the rear is perhaps the Odyssey's nicest touch. Rather than removing
the rear seat with the old heave-ho, one simply folds it into the floor.
What's left is a flat expanse providing almost 46 cubic feet in storage.
Given the ease with which this is accomplished, cargo is accommodated readily,
without a lot of pre-trip planning.
All seating positions offer an adult-sized area, though three is a crowd
in the middle bench. For that reason, we think we'd be happiest with the
six-passenger arrangement installed in our LX test vehicle, which includes
the added convenience that comes with the removable bucket seats.
As noted, the Odyssey benefits from the Honda Accord's unitbody platform,
extensively stiffened for this heavier-duty application. Stiffer is better
in chassis development, allowing the suspension engineers to dial up the
desired blend of ride and handling without worrying about making the suspension
components compensate for chassis flex.
The Odyssey's blend is near the top of the heap--a firm but compliant
ride and nimble when nothing less than nimble will do.
The speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is light and precise--perhaps
a little lighter than we might prefer at around-town speeds, but with satisfying
feel on the highway.
We were particularly impressed with the Odyssey's composure in quick
maneuvers. Thanks to its relatively low curb weight, low roofline--almost
eight inches lower than a Plymouth Voyager, for example--and refined suspension
the Odyssey doesn't exhibit much rock and roll when the driver cranks the
wheel hard to avoid a problem.
Stopping is provided by four-wheel disc brakes, with antilock standard
for all models. Like the rest of the Odyssey's behavior, we found braking
to be well-controlled, especially when compared to larger minivans.
If there is one criticism of the Odyssey, it's in the area of power,
provided with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine from the Accord family.
With 140 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, the engine is remarkably
efficient, and its one of the more refined fours in the business. But it
lacks the low-speed response of V6-powered minivans.
In day-in, day-out driving, the Odyssey offers more than adequate power.
Load it full of kids and cargo, however, and you might find yourself wishing
for a little more muscle.
But with EPA ratings of 21 mpg city, 26 highway, the Odyssey also lacks
the thirst of the V6 engines.