Honda Odyssey 2004: The Weekly Driver Review

The Honda Odyssey and its minivan competitors -and
Chrysler Town &that left the second and third rows vacant. With
Country, Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna - arecargo ar additional
often touted as familypassengers it's likely the ride quality would have
vehicles.In television commercials, the Odyssey isimproved, but wasn't
showcased with a mother orbad with only a front-seat passenger only slight
father transporting the neighborhood youth soccerbumpy in some
team to practice orsituations. The front bucket seats provide a superior
with a family packing up for a summer campingview without any
trip.But what if a large family isn't part of the equation?obstructions.For drivers unaccustomed to automatic
Is a minivan still ashifting adjacent of the steering
prudent choice?With the 2004 Honda Odyssey, awheel, there's a slight learning curve. The shifting arm
strong case can be made in favor of ais positioned
minivan for a two-person family or even an individualbehind the shorter arm that operates the windshield
who needs awipers. More than
healthy amount of space for cargo or who enjoysonce, I reached for the shifting arm and engaged the
traveling with friends.For my weekly drive, thewindshield wipers
Odyssey was the 240-horsepower, 24-valueor windshield cleaning spray.Regardless, the available
V6, EX model with a 5-speed automatic. With itsoptions in my vehicle were plentiful and nicely
Redrock Pearl exteriorappointed: leather seats, individually heat front seats,
and Ivory interior, the vehicle has a confident presencefront and rear air
and performsconditioning, driver's 8-way power seat with
equally impressively.Although a minivan, the Odysseyadjustable lumbar support,
has surprisingly quick accelerationcruise control and a audio/visual package than
and has been timed in under eight seconds in theencompasses an AM/FM
standard 0-60 mphcassette/CD stereo, rear DVD played, second seat,
test. While obviously not marketed as a highflip-down seven-inch
performance vehicle, theLCD monitor and remote and wireless
Odyssey is not tortoise-like in any accelerationheadphones.Those features push the Odyssey's price
situation.Still, the purchaser of a minivan is likely morewell into the low $30,000
interested in substantialrange. Still, add such features as dual- powered sliding
cargo area than drag racing.And that's an area inrear doors on
which the Odyssey shines.Beginning with front interior,both sides of the vehicle, automatic climate control,
the seats are spacious, wide andsteering wheel radio
comfortable. The front center console is actually acontrols and efficiently operated and illuminated visor
folding tray. When notmirror and map
in use, it folds parallel to the passenger seat, leavinglights, and it's no wonder the Odyssey's reputation as
ample access tothe best value in
the first of two passenger rows.The second row ofits class continues to expand.2004 Honda
the seven-passenger vehicle provides superiorOdysseySafety features -- Driver's and front
room. The bucket seats are adjustable into manypassenger's front and side airbags,
settings and can alsoABS brakes, traction control system.Fuel Mileage
be moved together to form a bench seat that can be(estimates) -- 18 mpg (city), 25 mpg
slid forward and aft(highway).Warranty --Bumper to Bumper, 3 Years
for appropriate leg room.The third row seat folds into36,000 Miles; Drivetrain: 3
the floor, which further extents availableYears/36,000 Miles Corrosion: 5 Years/50,000
cargo space and alleviates a problem in other similarMilesBase price range -- $24,490-$30,490.James Raia
vehicles. A thirdis a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who
seat not in use doesn't have to be stored elsewhere.Ifwrites
all rows of seats are in use, there's a deep, rectangularabout sports, fitness and business topics as well as
space behindthe syndicated car
the third seat for additional cargo space.I never drovereview column, The Weekly Driver.
my test vehicle with more more than one passenger,