Thursday, May 22, 2008
Since its 1999 debut, the Honda Odyssey has been at the front of the
minivan ranks. It combines superior styling, functionality and versatility.
And it performs like a sedan masquerading as an eight-passenger van.
The 2006 edition further solidifies the vehicle's pedigree.
Much of the Odyssey's current styling and improvements were added in
2005. And there was no reason to mess with a good thing. The
Odyssey's cavernous interior space, its well-designed seat configuration
and overall comfort are hard to beat.
My test vehicle for the week was the Touring edition, one of seven
available Odysseys, and the most expensive. The minivan has a huge
price range, with the LX model offered at $25,195 and the Touring
edition with DVD navigation offered at $38,495.
My weekly test included a frequently visited testing ground -- the 400-
mile round trip from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. The journey
always includes numerous driving scenarios -- wide-open, high-speed
Interstate 5 to the narrow, uneven side streets of Carmel.
Minivans are largely marketed toward families or for small groups. But
for the last three years, I've traveled solo several times for several
hundred miles in minivans. It's hardly the most economically efficient
choice. But with the Odyssey, the journey is pleasant despite the vast
amount of unused space.
Climbing and exploring around and through the vehicle, though, a solo
traveler can get a good sense of things.
The second row of seats, for example, has superior head room and the
bucket seats are adjustable into many positions. They can also be
moved together to form a bench seat that can be slid forward and aft.
The third-row seat folds into the floor, which further extents available
cargo space and alleviates a problem in other similar vehicles. A third
seat not in use in an Odyssey doesn't have to be stored elsewhere. And
iif all rows of seats are in use, there's a deep, rectangular space behind
the third seat for additional cargo space.
Considering the Odyssey's Touring edition is the line's most expensive
offering, the optional features simply enhance the generous offering of
standard features.
The standard feature list on the LX model includes: remote keyless
entry, AM/FM radio with CD player, all-power functions -- locks to mirrors
to windows. Subsequent higher-priced models include myriad offerings
-- power sunroof to navigation system, automatic headlights to power-
sliding side doors.
The Touring edition has refinements like satellite radio, rearview camera
and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
I first drove the Odyssey in 2004. That year, the automatic shifting arm
was positioned behind the shorter arm that operated the windshield
wipers. More than once, I reached for the shifting arm and engaged the
windshield wipers or windshield cleaning spray function. The shifting
mechanism is now a short-shifting lever, efficiently positioned at an
angle on the near instrumentation panel.
Driving the Odyssey is pleasant. While never mistaken for a powerful
sedan or a zippy sports car, the 3.5-liter 255-horsepower, V6 engine
fares well -- better than some in either aforementioned class.
The drive to Monterey has winding, steep inclines to stop-and-go
situations. The Odyssey handles itself well and its does so with efficient
steering, good visibility and a strong, quiet ride.
The Odyssey has two small issues. The rear view camera -- visible on a
small screen on the stereo console -- shows the area immediately
behind the vehicle. It's a nice feature, but the view is blurry and there's a
substantial trust factor learning curve -- at least there was for me.
Another issue: Both sliding side doors can open and close automatically
via buttons of the keyless entry fob. But the function hasn't quite been
perfected. There's a delay when opening or close doors, and on more
than one occasion, the doors stopped before completely closing.
Nonetheless, the Odyssey well deserves its position as the minivan
leader. Like other Hondas, it's hard to top in its class, whether used by a
solo driver or a family on vacation.
Of course, if an Odyssey driver has only one passenger, the driver may
spend a lot of time alone. The passenger could easily prefer to spend
time in the comfort of the apartment in the back two seats.
The Weekly Driver: 2006 Honda Odyssey
Safety features -- Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 20 mph (city), 28 mph (highway).
Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Extended
Power train, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited mileage;
Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.
Price range -- $25,195 to $38,795.
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