2004 Honda Odyssey Review

The second-generation Honda Odyssey is among the most popular minivans since its arrival as a larger, more powerful model for the 1999 model year.

The front-drive Odyssey hasn't been changed much since its introduction. The last key improvements came for 2002. They included bumping the horsepower of its V6 engine from 210 to 240 and substituting a five-speed automatic transmission for a four-speed unit that year, when the Odyssey also got standard front side air bags.

The 2003 Odyssey was virtually unchanged, but that didn't stop people from practically standing in line to get one. So it's no surprise that the 2004 model is virtually unchanged. The optional navigation system, which takes time to learn, gets an improved database for top-line EX-L models, but that's about it.

The comfortable, refined Odyssey comes as the entry $24,990 LX, mid-range $26,990 EX and top-line $28,490 EX-L.

This is a big, massive-looking, seven-passenger minivan. It sits on a 118.1-inch wheelbase and is 201.2 inches long. All that horsepower from the 3.5-liter V-6 is needed for lively performance because the Odyssey weighs 4,365 pounds.

Safety is important to many minivan buyers, and the Odyssey shines here; it has the highest-available rating of five stars from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration for frontal and side impacts.

Safety items include sturdy, energy absorbing construction, dual-stage front air bags, the front side air bags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution for surer panic stops. There's also a standard traction control system.

Dual sliding side doors are standard and are power-operated except on the EX. All versions have a third-row bench seat that folds flat flush with the floor to allow an especially large cargo area. That seat, which has a child-seat tether anchor, can be hard for the nonathletic to reach and is best suited to short adults and children.

Adding major options causes prices to jump a lot. For instance, the EX-L costs $29,990 with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a fold-down ceiling mounted LCD screen, remote control and wireless headsets. The EX-L costs $30,940 with a satellite-based DVD navigation system, which isn't offered with the video package. (Too bad you can't get one with the other.)

Even the LX version is well-equipped. Standard items include front air conditioning, AM/FM/-cassette, cruise control, adjustable steering column, theft-deterrent system and just about power everything.

The EX adds automatic climate control, power driver's seat, remote keyless entry, CD player with steering wheel audio controls and alloy wheels, which dress up the Odyssey's appearance a bit. The EX-L adds leather upholstery and heated front seats, which are optional for the EX.

The Odyssey has a low floor that makes it a snap to enter or leave the first- and second-row seats, and a fairly wide center aisle makes it easy for a front passenger to reach, say, a child in the third-row seat. There are two front bucket seats, dual second-row buckets that slide together to form a bench seat and the third-row seat.

The windshield is huge, and the airy, nicely designed and trimmed interior is quiet. Gauges can be quickly read, and climate and audio system dashboard controls are large enough for a person to use safely while driving.

There are plenty of beverage holder for occupants of all rows of seats. Front cupholders are especially easy to use because they pull out from the center of the dashboard, thus eliminating the need to make awkward moves to use them.

A large hatch allows easy loading of cargo. There's plenty of room for it with the third seat out of the way, and the cargo area becomes huge with all seats stowed. However, the space-saver spare tire is in a covered well ahead of the second-row seats, and the well won't hold a full-size flat tire. A flat thus must be put in the passenger or cargo area.

The Odyssey is among the fastest minivans. Its sophisticated, overhead-camshaft 24-valve engine delivers good torque, besides high horsepower, although it's rather noisy when pushed. The Odyssey hits 60 mph from a standing start in 7.9 seconds and provides good merging and highway passing performance.

Estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city and 25 on highways, so figure on getting in the mid-teens in the city and low-20s on the highway. Only regular-grade fuel is needed and a 20-gallon fuel tank allows a long highway cruising range.

The power steering is quick and the turning diameter is pretty tight at 37.7 feet. The all-independent suspension provides a nice ride, although it becomes bouncy at times and it's a stretch to call it "carlike.'' The brake pedal needs a more linear action, and stopping distances are average.

The illustrious Honda nameplate has drawn many minivan buyers to the Odyssey, which offers a good blend of performance and practicality.

2004 HONDA ODYSSEY

Prices
$24,490-$28,490.

Likes
Roomy. Fast. Good handling. Decent ride. Folding third-row seat.

Dislikes
Ordinary styling. Nonlinear brake pedal action. Engine noisy when pushed.