What’s New?
Honda’s Odyssey minivan was all new for the 2005 model year, and only minor changes have been made for 2007. These include making a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, center pocket coin holder, and tire-pressure-monitoring system standard for all trim levels. Two new exterior colors—Nimbus Gray Metallic and Dark Cherry Pearl—are available. Also for 2007, a wheelchair-accessible Odyssey is available through some 150 dealers.

Overview
Minivans are about families, which represent very precious cargo, and the Honda Odyssey has earned a “Best Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for frontal offset crash protection. Honda’s “Safety for Everyone” program includes anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability assist with traction control, air bags in front of and next to the driver and front-seat passenger and side-curtain air bags covering all rows, as well as Honda’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure.

In addition to providing a comprehensive safety package, the Odyssey also caters to buyers at various price points by offering four trim levels—LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The LX includes such standard features as remote keyless entry, power windows with an auto-down driver's window, dual power mirrors, rear privacy glass, independent front and rear air conditioning, second-row power windows, a 60/40 split-folding third-row “Magic Seat,” in-floor storage for the second row, and cruise control. The EX adds power sliding doors, heated front seats, three-zone climate controls, an upgraded audio system with controls mounted on the steering wheel, an 8-way power driver’s seat and more. The EX-L includes heated leather front seats and a power moonroof. The Touring version adds a power tailgate, Michelin PAX (run-flat) tires, fully-automatic three-zone climate controls, a 360-watt audio system, a rear-seat DVD-based entertainment system, satellite radio, and a Lazy Susan organizer for the in-floor storage compartment.

Power for all Odysseys comes from Honda’s 244-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which is linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. EX-L and Touring models have engines that feature Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management technology that can shut down three cylinders while cruising to enhance fuel economy.

The Competition
The Honda Odyssey competes in the Midsize Van segment, which consists of 13 models. Buyers in this segment look for reliability, safety, and comfort, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study. ^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Dodge Caravan / Grand Caravan (211,140 units sold), Honda Odyssey (177,919), and Toyoa Sienna (163,269). The Honda Odyssey’s 177,919 sales in 2006 represent an increase of 2.1 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Van segment include the Chrysler Town & Country, Chevrolet Uplander, Kia Sedona, Ford Freestar, Nissan Quest.