1999 Honda Odyssey

Over the last 30 years, Honda has built a solid reputation for making reliable, economical small cars. The current Odyssey minivan debuted in '99 as the largest Honda ever: a new full-size minivan-longer, wider, and more powerful than its previous Accord-based offering. Overall cargo volume, length, and towing capacity technically place it in the minivan category, but consider it from the head-on view. The Odyssey's track width is only an inch and a half narrower than a full-size truck-based GMC Savana van. Other features caught our attention: a 215-hp SOHC V-6 equipped with Honda's VTEC variable-valve timing system promising new levels of minivan performance and the "magic" third-row seat that folds into a flat load floor without having to be removed were just two of them. We felt the Odyssey was clearly new territory for Honda and merited a year's evaluation.

Honda offers two well-equipped trim levels: the base Odyssey LX with a second-row bench seat at an MSRP of $23,000 and our upscale EX variant for a $25,800 MSRP. Opting for the EX added aluminum wheels, dual power sliding side doors, convertible second-row bucket seats, remote entry system, body-color mirrors and side moldings, auto-off headlights, power driver's seat, auto climate control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Homelink transmitter, dual front-row and second-row seatback pockets, and a cargo net. The only possible factory addition was a $415 destination charge, bringing our total to $26,215.

The VTEC V-6 is one of the keys to the Odyssey's outstanding performance; with a 0-60-mph time of 9.5 sec, it's among the quickest minivans on the market. Being an inherently balanced 60 V-6, it's a smoothie, too. But Honda recommends premium fuel for optimum performance, raising a long-term cost issue that's important to many family buyers. That said, we also tested it on regular unleaded to no peril, and the Odyssey's more than 19-mpg test average is impressive. Two gripes involve the transmission. The four-speed "Grade Logic" automatic seemed excessively eager to downshift on uphill stretches. And the column-mounted shifter's soft detents made it all too easy to slide past D4 into D3 (or lower) when putting the trans into gear from Park. Otherwise, the powertrain was flawless.

The Odyssey's interior reflects the same conservatively functional approach found in Honda's passenger cars: large, easy-to-read gauges and simple, minimal switchgear that just works. One staffer rated the sound system significantly below the best in class competition and noted the CD player skipped on even minor road defects. We were surprised that Honda doesn't include the rear-seat audio controls or headphone jacks found on some other minis-important features in minimizing the "are we there yet?" factor. Another quibble was the lone power port location at the bottom of the center stack; difficult to reach, and possibly requiring the use of an extension cord for some accessories.

Subtly patterned fabric upholstery (leather is not available) covers seating and door-panel areas. The plainly styled seats are broad and comfortably soft, but don't offer much lateral support. Individual climate and lighting controls in the ceiling throughout the rear cabin and the power rear-vent windows, are nice touches. The power sliding doors are the EX's most significant upgrade, in terms of their innovation, usefulness-and, unfortunately, problems. Several instances of rattles, incomplete closing, and latching problems occurred. Sliding door latches and remote controller assemblies eventually were replaced at no charge under a safety recall. It seems a case of a great idea suffering from incomplete development (at least when our early '99 model was built). Still, the notion of remote doors is certainly welcome.