Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey equipped with a four-cylinder engine and four conventional side doors. In reality, it cultivated a loyal following among consumers who wanted lots of space combined with unwavering reliability and the fuel economy that a small engine could provide. The third generation Odyssey is far sportier looking than anything else in its category. A low roofline and reduced ground clearance give the new Honda a ground-hugging appearance. The Odyssey looks most attractive from front angles, where its sleek nose and aggressive headlight assembly – with eye-catching blue reflectors – give an impression like no other people mover. Sporty twin exhausts can be found at the rear and the top-of-the-line Luxury version (as tested) scores 16-inch alloy wheels. Plus, it is the first van to offer the clever “magic” third-row seat that folded into the floor.
Engine A 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine with variable valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC), generating 255 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Power flows to the front wheels through a new five-speed automatic transmission with direct shift control, getting to the ground more quickly thanks to a new drive-by-wire throttle. This engine runs on regular unleaded fuel, and meets stringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards in California and New England. Model Lineup Honda offers the new Odyssey in LX and EX trim levels. A leather package is available on the EX, and a new Touring edition is a fully equipped luxury van with all the bells and whistles. Honda Odyssey, the LX also includes P235/65 tires mounted to 16-inch wheels, power windows for the first two rows of seats, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, a CD player, a 60/40 split-folding “magic” third-row seat, an in-floor storage bin, and a smart maintenance indicator. On the Odyssey LX, the exterior trim is black rather than body color and the wheel covers are plastic, making it easy to identify as the entry-level model. To open the sunroof, reach down onto the lower left portion of the dashboard, rather than overhead, to find the controls. A leather package turns the Odyssey EX into the Odyssey EX-L. Advanced engine technology that generates better fuel economy is standard on this model, along with special noise-suppression technology, triple-zone climate control, and a power sunroof that lacks one-touch open and close control. Oddly, the leather package does not include a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options for the Odyssey EX-L include a DVD entertainment system with integrated remote control and wireless headphones with personal surround sound; and a DVD navigation system with XM satellite radio, voice-recognition control, integrated Zagat restaurant surveys, and a reversing camera. EQUIPMENTS: A 360-watt premium audio system, automatic headlights, parking sensors, a second-row removable center console, a Michelin PAX run-flat tire system with tire pressure monitors, a driver memory seat, a programmable multi-information display, special interior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 115-volt AC power outlet, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and unique alloy wheels, power adjustable pedals, a power tailgate. ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY With an iVTEC (i = intelligent) Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that shuts down three of the engine’s six cylinders to conserve fuel when cruising at a steady rate of speed or when decelerating. With this engine, the Odyssey is expected to achieve a 20-mpg city and a 28-mpg highway fuel efficiency rating from the EPA. Included with this engine is an Active Noise Control (ANC) technology that works in concert with the audio system to quell unwanted interior noise from the VCM and other sources, allowing the technology to work transparently to the Odyssey’s occupants. The brakes perform well but our test vehicle felt like it had a problem with its pads – it occassionally lacked pedal feel at moderate brake pressure. However, all-out stopping power can’t be criticised – the 300mm ventilated front and 305mm solid rear discs arrest the Odyssey without fuss. EBD and ABS come standard but brake assist is not available on local models. The new Odyssey is redesigned with this goal in mind, and the result is a comprehensive standard safety package on all models as well as a new Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. ACE refers to the design of the Honda Odyssey’s forward frame elements, new upper and lower structural members engineered to spread crash energy over a larger area for absorption and disperse the energy away from the cabin. New gussets located in the lower corners of the engine bay at the firewall intend to reduce passenger compartment intrusion during a crash. Honda expects this new design to better protect the Odyssey’s occupants while making the new minivan more compatible with smaller vehicles in an accident. SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS Inside the Honda Odyssey, a full complement of airbags and safety technologies come standard to protect passengers. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags are combined with standard side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all three rows. To help keep a rollover accident from occurring, every Honda Odyssey is equipped with a standard Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system, which includes both traction control and stability control. Also standard is a four-wheel-disc ABS with brake assist technology to bring the new Odyssey to a stop as quickly as possible. NEW FEATURES Odyssey which adds power adjustable pedals, a power tailgate, a 360-watt premium audio system, automatic headlights, parking sensors, a second-row removable center console, a Michelin PAX run-flat tire system with tire pressure monitors, a driver memory seat, a programmable multi-information display, special interior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 115-volt AC power outlet, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and unique alloy wheels. Beautiful speedometer.Optional on the Touring are entertainment and navigation systems. SPECIFICATIONS Engine Size and Type : 3.5-liter V6 Engine Horsepower : 255 at 5,750 rpm Engine Torque : 250 at 4,500 rpm EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 19/25 (estimated for LX and EX); 20/28 mpg (estimated for EX-L and Touring) Observed Fuel Economy : 19.3 mpg (Touring test model) Curb Weight : 4,378 to 4,634 (LX to Touring) Max. Cargo Capacity : 147.4 cubic feet Max. Towing Capacity : 3,500 pounds Max. Seating Capacity : 7 (LX and Touring); 8 (EX and EX-L)