Honda Odyssey - "An Impressive Upgrade,"

[Ming]

Honda Odyssey
Honda's slick minivan gets a gas-saving trick, a nicer ride, more flexible seats.
BY RON KIINO
Car and Driver Magazine



With the third-generation Odyssey, Honda set out to build what it imaginatively refers to as not just a really nice minivan but a "Premium Adventure Vehicle." The Odyssey offers exceptional style, performance, utility, and—why not throw this in too?—appeal to the budding number of young Gen-X and Gen-Y families. Honda must know that these generations love acronyms, because the Odyssey has accrued more than a pharmacy shelf.

Headlining the alphabet trios is VCM, or Variable Cylinder Management, a new system that automatically shuts off three of the Odyssey's six cylinders when there's no need for a lot of power, say, when cruising on the highway. When VCM—incorporated into the i-VTEC version of the Odyssey's 3.5-liter V-6 (there's also a standard VTEC version)—decides to switch to three-cylinder mode, a pin that joins the valve lifter to the rocker arm moves and disengages the two parts, allowing the lifter to freewheel without moving the rocker arm; thus, the valves stay closed. The result is the same horsepower as the non-VCM six, but with better estimated fuel economy (20/28 versus 19/25).

The Odyssey carries another ace in the hole, as in ACE, short for Advanced Compatibility Engineering. ACE produces a structure that is 20 percent stiffer in both torsional and bending rigidity and that, according to Honda, improves the Odyssey's ability to cushion impacts. Speaking of cushion, safety inflatables include dual-stage front airbags, driver and front-passenger side airbags, and three-row curtain airbags.

For third-row passengers, there are three more inches of legroom, although the cargo area behind the last row remains at 38 cubic feet. The much-copied fold-into-the-floor third-row Magic Seat is now split 60/40 and features one-hand operation and integrated headrests. The second-row captain's chairs can't be folded into the floor à la Dodge Caravan's Stow 'n Go, but they are removable (a relatively easy operation of flipping a couple of latches and lifting what feels like a medium-sized ahi tuna). They can also slide fore-and-aft 10 inches and can be positioned bench style or separated to make room for the new PlusOne seat (on EX models). The wee PlusOne functions as an eighth seat or, with the backrest folded forward, as a console replete with a storage tray. It stows in the floor between the first and second rows in a new in-floor storage area, which, if not holding the PlusOne, houses a rotating lazy-Susan storage unit.



Inside, the Odyssey impresses with an upscale interior comprised of first-rate materials, fit and finish, and ergonomics. The driver is greeted by a tasteful two-tone dashboard with attractive metallic trim, a shifter moved up to the dashboard, and a straightforward instrument cluster with progressive meter illumination. This level of sophistication is easy to appreciate given the lack of noise in the cabin. With a coefficient of drag reduced by about five percent and enough advanced sound-absorbing material to turn a condo into a recording studio, the Odyssey is a mobile room of serenity.

The one downside to all the sound deadening is that it's difficult to hear the melodic 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 as it works to transport your noisy little monsters to soccer practice. Teamed with a five-speed automatic, the 24-valve engine now makes 255 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque—an increase of 15 horses and 8 pound-feet—and is conducted by a linear drive-by-wire throttle. The two top trim levels get VCM, which the driver will be unaware is diligently at work, thanks to two electronically controlled engine mounts on either side of the transverse engine. These mounts have a solenoid that can vibrate at a frequency 180 degrees out of phase with the engine's vibes, thus ensuring that no unruliness reaches the cockpit. There's also the active noise control system that emits "anti-noise" via the speakers.

The Odyssey continues to ride on struts up front and a multilink setup in the rear, and the latter have been hooked to a rubber-mounted subframe said to improve isolation.



FULL Review at Car & Driver

[Buick61]

That didn't really add much. Did they even drive it? Talking about this car has been done to death on a prior post, I don't know why it was posted again.

Who's waiting for the inevitable 2005 minivan comparison tests?

[giagastormer]

Ha, this is not going to be any better than the "new" CSV's (sarcasm).

I do like the interior of the CSV's better than the chintzy look of the Odyssey.

[jro4566]

Ugh, I can picture it now...

1st - Honda Odyssey
2nd - Toyota Sienna
3rd - Nissan Quest
4th - Chevrolet Uplander
5th - Dodge Grand Caravan
6th - Kia Sedona
7th - Ford Freestar

<_<

[giagastormer]

Originally posted by RCtennis3811@Sep 17 2004, 12:46 AM
Ugh, I can picture it now...

1st - Honda Odyssey
2nd - Toyota Sienna
3rd - Nissan Quest
4th - Chevrolet Uplander
5th - Dodge Grand Caravan
6th - Kia Sedona
7th - Ford Freestar

<_<

I think you hit the nail on the head RC!

[Mr_Pringle]

In all fairness, GM's CSVs do offer much that the Odyssey does not. It doesn't have a customizable rail overhead storage system does it? Or the fancy seat trays? It also lacks all-wheel-drive. I think the CSVs will surve their purpose as stop-gaps.- no worries.

[dindak]

I read today that ford will shut down the Freestar plant here in town for 7 weeks. There is a big glut of these vans. Also saw an ad for base Freestars selling at C$19995 cash (about U$16k), what a give away.

I hope GMs vans have enough appeal to avoid this next year. I still don't understand why Canada gets the RWB and the U.S. doesn't. This seems like a bad move as those wanting a smaller vanwill now skip GM.

[jro4566]

Pringle, I agree with you on that one. The CSVs also have PhatNoise which is pretty cool, but pricey. But even though the Odyssey doesn't have the overhead rail system, it does have a lot of storage compartments...or so I've read.

[usa1]

Originally posted by RCtennis3811@Sep 16 2004, 07:46 PM
Ugh, I can picture it now...

1st - Honda Odyssey
2nd - Toyota Sienna
3rd - Nissan Quest
4th - Chevrolet Uplander
5th - Dodge Grand Caravan
6th - Kia Sedona
7th - Ford Freestar

<_<

I disagree. This is the order I predict.

1st - Honda Odyssey
2nd - Toyota Sienna
3rd - Nissan Quest
4th - Dodge Grand Caravan
5th - Kia Sedona
6th - Chevrolet Uplander
7th - Ford Freestar

Mark

[giagastormer]

There is no way in hell the Grand Caravan will beat the CSV's in a comparison. I don't care how much crap you can fit uner the seat and how easy it is to fold the seats, the Dogde is an over priced box.

[bakerna]

I kinda like the sedona...I don't know how many of you ahve ridden in one but I found it rather comfortable and stylish, if the interior was a bit fake looking

[gotz_otto]

:chef: I am Chef and these are the Children

Is it just me, or is a mini van only as good as how much storage place you can put in it. That is all I here about when they talk about on commercials.

[Squachy]

Actually i see it like this:

1.) Honda Oddysey
2.) Toyota Sienna
3.) Nissan Quest
4.) Kia Sedona
5.) Dodge Caravan
6.) CSV Quadruplets
7.) Ford Freestar

What was the last comparison test from i think C&D? I believe it had the Freestar, Caravan, Sienna, Quest and Oddesey.

Basically take out the Kia and the CSV Quadruplets from the list and that was the ranking of all the minivans (If the old version oddysey took first place what are the chances of any of the other minivans getting first place to THIS updated Oddysey?)

And why is it that Chrysler and EVEN HONDA have their cylinder deactivation technologies out already while GM has their thumb up their butts with DoD?
They're the first ones to announce that they have it and its not evne ready yet.

[diablo4]

Originally posted by Squachy@Sep 17 2004, 02:10 AM
Actually i see it like this:

1.) Honda Oddysey
2.) Toyota Sienna
3.) Nissan Quest
4.) Kia Sedona
5.) Dodge Caravan
6.) CSV Quadruplets
7.) Ford Freestar

What was the last comparison test from i think C&D? I believe it had the Freestar, Caravan, Sienna, Quest and Oddesey.

Basically take out the Kia and the CSV Quadruplets from the list and that was the ranking of all the minivans (If the old version oddysey took first place what are the chances of any of the other minivans getting first place to THIS updated Oddysey?)

And why is it that Chrysler and EVEN HONDA have their cylinder deactivation technologies out already while GM has their thumb up their butts with DoD?
They're the first ones to announce that they have it and its not evne ready yet.

That makes me angry how Honda and DCX come to the market before GM with DOD.

[GotAWD]

Originally posted by RCtennis3811@Sep 16 2004, 07:46 PM
Ugh, I can picture it now...

1st - Honda Odyssey
2nd - Toyota Sienna
3rd - Nissan Quest
4th - Chevrolet Uplander
5th - Dodge Grand Caravan
6th - Kia Sedona
7th - Ford Freestar

<_<

pfff... i was watching C&D TV on Spike TV. there was a 5 mini van comparo, toyota, honda, dodge, ford and i forget the last one even though it wasnt GM. (big surprise) anyways the honda won top marks for everything the carabvan and the free star where dead last.

come to think of it the last van was the nissan quest it got a good review for unique styling. when i see i think of a lady bug.