Final Rankings
Dynamically, the best from the domestics can’t come close to delivering the comfort, utility, and sophistication that the 2005 Honda Odyssey and 2005 Toyota Sienna can.
Huge price advantages, especially after rebates, are the main reasons to consider the 2005 Pontiac Montana SV6 or the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. Another selling point for the Dodge is Stow-‘n-Go seating, a must-have feature for anyone who needs to switch from passenger hauler to cargo carrier on a regular basis. But dynamically, the best from the domestics can’t come close to delivering the comfort, utility, and sophistication that the 2005 Honda Odyssey and 2005 Toyota Sienna can. At the end of the day, the Pontiac scored just below the Dodge, and the Toyota ranked just under the Honda – but a huge gulf separated the American minivans from the Japanese models. 4th Place – 2005 Pontiac Montana SV6 (5.5 GPA)
Minivans should be easy to use, easy to drive, and comfortable to passengers. The Pontiac Montana SV6 is none of these things. Plus, it’s based on a decade-old platform, plagued by sloppy handling, and endowed with an unrefined powertrain. Surprisingly, quality is a Montana SV6 strong point, inside and out. And the materials used in the cabin resemble, if not duplicate, those used in high-end German luxury sedans. Plus, it got the best fuel economy of our test group, though that’s usually what comes with low power ratings, and can be equipped with all-wheel drive. But used as a minivan, and compared to the driving dynamics of some competitors, the Montana SV6 is the least worthy vehicle in this group. 3rd Place – 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan (5.6 GPA)
Four reasons exist to choose the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan: Stow-‘n-Go, safety crash scores, rebates, and a great powertrain warranty. Whoops! Dodge is canceling that warranty for 2006, removing one great reason to choose the Grand Caravan. Bad move. Nevertheless, the Dodge features the biggest maximum cargo capacity, simple and quick conversion from passenger toting to parcel holding, and a low price. It’s not terribly comfortable, quick, or equipped with quality materials or construction. We’d rather own this over the Pontiac, but just barely. 2nd Place – 2005 Toyota Sienna (7.2 GPA)
When it comes to choosing a new minivan, you can’t go wrong with the Toyota Sienna, even if it did lose out to the Honda Odyssey by the thinnest of margins. What the score boils down to is simply this: the Honda is more fun to drive, and we like the way it looks. That’s why, if having a good time while driving your minivan is low on your priority list and you prefer the design of the Sienna, the Toyota makes a great choice. It is assembled with the utmost care, constructed with exceptionally high quality materials, and is very comfortable for any passengers that climb aboard. Add in great safety scores, a reputation for reliability, available all-wheel drive, and Lexus levels of luxury equipment and refinement, and the 2005 Toyota Sienna can still set the standard for modern minivans. 1st Place – 2005 Honda Odyssey (7.3 GPA)
Quality, both in terms of materials and construction, is the single most disappointing thing about the 2005 Honda Odyssey. Otherwise, we ranked the Honda tops in nearly every category. Honda has turned out a stylish, comfortable, utilitarian, and fun-to-drive family conveyance that works just as any minivan should, at prices that fit just about any budget. And while some staff members drove our test Odyssey like they stole it, our test model’s Variable Cylinder Management system does work to produce highway fuel economy in the low 20-mpg range. If Honda can reduce the rattles and squeaks inside while improving fit and finish, there won’t be any reason to consider the Sienna.
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