The leather seats and DVD player are great for families with kids. Getting in is easy because the floor is low. Even though the seating posit ion is high, the Odyssey doesnÕt feel top-heavy in turns or crosswinds. The Odyssey’s handling is tops among minivans because it has a low center of gravity and fully independent suspension. The buttons for the heated seats are located in the bottom front section of the door panel where they are not easy to reach. There is only one power outlet near the front seats, which is awkward if you are running two items that need to be plugged in. The fold-down table between the front seats was extremely handy because it can be flipped out of the way if you need to step through to the back seat. Traction control and anti-lock brakes are safety features that enhance performance in less-than-ideal weather conditions. The five-speed automaticÕs wider spread of gears provides just the right gear for any situation while maintaining good highway fuel economy. The added power of the silky 3.5-liter V-6 was not outwardly noticeable, but it handled passing chores on two-lane highways without an ounce of hesitation. While driving it on a 350-mile road trip, I was impressed with its lack of wind noise, quiet cabin, secure footing and the luxury items that now make it as comfortable as any upscale sedan. It also had power sliding doors, remote entry, automatic air conditioning with rear controls, CD player, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a HomeLink transmitter, alloy wheels and traction control. I drove an EX with leather and the DVD player. Prices start at $24,250 for the LX, $26,750 for the EX, $28,250 for the EX with leather, $29,750 for an EX with leather and a rear entertainment system, and $30,250 for everything including the navigation system. The Odyssey is a sensible combination of carlike driving characteristics, room for seven and a 3.5-liter V-6 that gives it energetic acceleration. A seat like this is becoming increasing popular and other van makers are beginning to notice how handy it is. One of its shining features is a third seat that folds flat into the cargo floor. With a 118.1-inch wheelbase and 201.2-inch overall length, it is dimensionally nearly identical to the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country or Ford Windstar. Changes have been evolutionary until 2002. The Odyssey was first introduced in 1999. Upgrading the engine to 240 horsepower, installing a five-speed automatic transmission and revising the chassis for even better ride and handling merely sweetens the pot. Heated leather seats, side airbags for front-seat occupants and a built-in DVD rear-seat entertainment system are available on the EX for those who might have otherwise looked to a different brand for those features. Now you can have the full-luxury treatment if you like, and for a price that is more than competitive with other brands. Until this year, the popular Odyssey was not available with the leather upholstery or built-in entertainment system found in some competitors, but that has changed. The Odyssey continues to evolve as part of Honda’s journey with its minivan.

Odyssey 2 release date