A New, Thirst-Quenching Odyssey

By Bill Saporito

The redesigned 2005 Honda Odyssey can seat eight, has 17 cup holders and gets about 20 m.p.g. in the city. (If all those cup holders are being used, forget the gas mileage, since you will be pulling over every 10 minutes.) The family-friendly conveniences continue with remote-entry side doors, a lazy Susan in the second row and third-row seats that stow effortlessly. The $34,000 touring model (prices start at $25,000) includes an automatic lift gate and a rearview camera. Honda has upped the safety margin too, with side air bags, curtain air bags and a frame that dissipates energy in a crash. The Odyssey is aiming for European handling, a stretch for any minivan, but the 255-h.p. variable-assist engine (it turns off unneeded cylinders) gives an able approximation. --By Bill Saporito