1999 Honda Odyssey Review

Honda is 15 years behind Chrysler in introducing a competitive minivan, but its spacious new Odyssey has been worth the wait.

As with nearly all minivans, the 1999 Odyssey is patterned after the long-wheelbase minivan from Chrysler--or DaimlerChrysler as the company now is called. Chrysler introduced the first modern minivan in late 1983 and has easily outsold other minivans since then.

The front-wheel-drive Odyssey comes as the $23,200 LX or $25,800 EX. It's a genuine seven-passenger rival to the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, although only 60,000 Odysseys can be built during the 1999 model year.

Both the LX and EX are well-equipped, with items such as a smooth four-speed automatic transmission, large 16-inch wheels that enhance handling and dual sliding rear doors, which are power-operated in the EX.

The EX looks slicker than the LX because it has handsome alloy wheels and body-colored door handles, side moldings and mirrors. Still, the Odyssey looks chunky compared with the sleek Caravan and Voyager.

The Odyssey shares only its name with its smaller predecessor. It's the most powerful minivan, with a 210-horsepower V-6--although a few competitors offer a V-6 with more torque.

The Odyssey hits 60 m.p.h. in 10 seconds, which makes it one of the quickest minivans. It's a relaxed highway cruiser, with the V-6 showing a mere 2,000 r.p.m. on the tachometer at 70 m.p.h.

Estimated fuel economy is 18 m.p.g. in the city and 26 on the highway. Not bad for a big, approximately 4,200-pound minivan.

The Odyssey provides limousine-style roominess, with enough headroom for an Abraham Lincoln-style stovepipe hat and plenty of cargo room even with the third seat in its normal position. But that seat is suited only to shorter adults or children and is hard for adults to reach. A low floor and big doors make it easy to get in and out, and the driver has a high, commanding position.

The precise power steering is rather heavy and the firm ride resembles the ride of a sports sedan more than that of a mainstream minivan.

Handling is excellent, thanks to the cleverly designed all-independent suspension, low center of gravity and wide tracks (distance between wheels on the same axle). The EX has a traction control system that enhances road grip.

The ride is supple and braking is good, although the pedal feels mushy.

The Odyssey offers clever features such as a third-row bench seat that folds into the floor to signficantly enlarge the cargo area. That seat also flips over to become a rear-facing seat that can be used to watch, say, soccer games. But it isn't designed for use in that position when the Odyssey is driven.

Other clever items: The removable middle-row bucket seats can slide together to form a two-passenger bench seat. And there's a large front retractable center tray table with cupholders--although it's easy to pinch a finger when putting it in the raised position.

The mini-spare tire is under the floor behind the front seats, where it doesn't gobble interior space. But pulling up a carpet, moving a cover and wrestling to get the tire out is a chore if there's a flat. Moreover, a full-size flat tire won't fit in the well where the mini-spare resides, so it must be tossed in the rear--dirt and all.

Other glitches: The nicely designed dashboard has smooth controls, but the long steering-column-mounted gearshift lever partly blocks major radio controls. And it's easy to move that lever into the wrong gear. Also, the 12-volt power outlet is awkwardly located at floor-level. While comfortable, front seats offer virtually no side support.

On the plus side, the interior is quiet, except for some road noise. There are individual climate and lighting controls for outboard passengers and the Odyssey is the first minivan with head restraints and three-point seat belts at all seating positions. Good show.

The rigidly built Odyssey seems well-prepared for the rugged life most minivans live. Too bad it doesn't have more style.