When Honda unveiled its front-wheel drive Odyssey minivan last year, it broke from conventional wisdom by incorporating traditional, sedan-like doors rather than larger, heavier, sliding designs. Looking at recent sales figures, Honda's strategy is paying off. Odyssey sales surged 45 percent in May, logging its best sales month ever. The 1996 Odyssey offers two trim levels: base LX and upscale EX. Both measure 187.2 inches long and 64.6 inches high. It's virtually unchanged from the 1995 model year. Honda scores big points for an easy step-in design. Some vans and sport utilities require drivers to contort their torsos every which way when getting in and out. Not Odyssey. It has one of the lowest step-in heights of any minivan on the road. Getting into Odyssey is as easy as maneuvering into conventional sedans. With a 64.6 inch height and 70.6 inch width, it's definitely one of the lowest and narrowest minivans available, contributing to its car-like ride. Odyssey is also one of shortest minivans. Its wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) measures 111.4 inches. By comparison, Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager offer two wheelbase lengths: 113.3 inches and 119.3 inches. Ford's Windstar is available in a long, 120.7 inch wheelbase. The closest minivans in wheelbase length are the Mercury Villager\Nissan Quest duo, both measuring 112.2 inches. With a retail price of $23,970, our test drive Odyssey LX's starting price is higher than many competitors. However, Honda markets its minivan with many popular items, such as air conditioning and four-speed automatic transmission, included. Other standard features in the Japan-built Odyssey include cruise control, , anti-lock disc brakes, power windows and locks, four-wheel double wishbone suspension, dual air bags, power door mirrors and rear wiper. Inside, the instrument panel, with oversized, circular odometer, is easy to view. Sliding levers monitor temperatures while buttons control fan direction. Dual cup holders retract from the dashboard, below the stereo system. A large storage bin, near the floor, slides in and out. Two passenger-side glove boxes are another novel concept. It's a clever design when considering Odyssey includes dual front air bags. Headlights activate from the left-hand side turn signal stalk. Front windshield wipers operate via a right-hand side stem. A dashboard button activates cruise control while set and resume buttons are steering-wheel mounted. The automatic transmission shifts from the steering column. A fuel tank release lever is located on the floor, left of the driver's seat. Another nice touch is a digital clock, set apart from the stereo, so occupants can view time anytime. The only complaint is the cruise control button is blocked from view by the steering wheel. Rear passengers benefit from long, ceiling-mounted air conditioning vents, with a separate fan speed control, which pump additional bursts of cool air. Cup holders are interspersed throughout the van. Interior seating consists of two captain's chairs in front, and a third row bench seat. In the middle row, consumers have a choice between two bucket seats or bench seating. The third row bench conveniently and easily folds into the floor, providing a flat surface for cargo carrying. Our test-drive Odyssey featured two captain's chairs in the middle row, both of which could be removed for additional storage. Odyssey provides 150 cubic feet of interior storage volume when needed. The only seating complaint was accessibility to the back. Third row passengers must maneuver between second-row chairs on their way to the third-row seating. It's easy for the preteen set to make their way to the rear, but full-grown adults may find it a challenge. The standard, sedan-like swinging doors are great for middle row convenience, but sliding side doors, found on other minivans, are superior for third-row accessibility. Odyssey and its identical twin, Isuzu's Oasis, offer a competent, all-aluminum, 2.2 liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve, 140 horsepower engine standard. Rumors have circulated about Honda offering a more potent, six-cylinder powertrain. Currently however, only the four cylinder is available. The engine provides decent acceleration for its size. The gas tank holds 17.2 gallons of unleaded fuel. Fuel economy estimates of 20 miles per gallon city and 24 mpg highway are better than most minivan competitors. With 5,700 odometer miles, our Odyssey registered a respectable 23 miles per gallon in combined driving. |