2005 HONDA ODYSSEY NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
Completely re-engineered from the ground up, the 2005 Honda Odyssey strives to raise the minivan bar once again. Equipped with a 255-horsepower V6 engine, new technology such as Variable Cylinder Management (VCM – which cuts power from half the cylinders during cruising to save fuel) help to ensure Honda's superiority in the segment. Honda also introduces a new ultra-premium Odyssey Touring model, and a bevy of safety features debut including an Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, advanced front- and front-side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, and run flat tires. Second-row power windows; a more comfortable and spacious interior with second-row captain's chairs, in-floor storage and three inches of additional third-row legroom; a handy PlusOne infant seat for the second row; and a rear DVD entertainment system with a nine-inch screen and personal surround sound summarize the major updates and improvements for the 2005 Honda Odyssey.

Advantages of the 2005 Honda Odyssey:

• Refined 255-horsepower V6 engine
• Variable Cylinder Management technology
• Responsive handling
• Standard stability control
• Standard side-curtain airbags with rollover protection
• Second-row seats that slide together or split apart
• Fold-flat third-row seat
• Deserved reputation for reliability
• Proven ability to hold value over time
• PlusOne infant seat

Objections to the 2005 Honda Odyssey:

• Hard plastic upper door panels are uncomfortable for elbows
• Second-row seat doesn’t fold flat into the floor
• Lots of road noise filters through the floorboards

Editor's Advice:
Until Honda arrived on the scene in 1999 with the excellent second-generation Odyssey minivan, Chrysler ruled the segment with the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. What made the Honda Odyssey click with consumers? A third-row seat that folded into a well in the floor, second-row seats that could slide together or remain split apart, dual power sliding doors, a powerful V6 engine, handsome styling, excellent crash test scores and Honda's reputation for reliability. Today, the redesigned 2005 Honda Odyssey raises the bar again, with a cadre of safety features, multiple powered doors, a multi-configurable interior, and a host of entertainment features to keep the whole family happy on long road trips. On the minivan market, the Nissan Quest is for people who like to drive, and the Toyota Sienna is the cushy cruiser. Honda's new Odyssey neatly splits the difference between the two, and is our pick for the best minivan sold today.