2005 Honda Odyssey First Drive

First Drive: 2005 Honda Odyssey


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Interior materials, if not assembled with the utmost care, are at least rich in appearance, and Honda wisely chose a mesh headliner that lends the 2005 Odyssey an upscale appearance. All of the controls operate with a solid and refined feel, and the folding center tray is deeper than it used to be with four truly useful cupholders that don’t allow drinks to dump all over the floor with slightest direction change (like the previous Odyssey). Honda provides a dual glovebox arrangement with separate doors, and generously-sized door bins in addition to the center storage tray. Twin cupholders also deploy from the dashboard. In case you’re keeping score, the 2005 Honda Odyssey contains 11 spots to stow beverages.

The stereo sits nice and high in the center stack, with three control knobs and simple arrays of well-marked and clearly legible buttons. The automatic climate control system in our EX-L and Touring sample models features toggle switches for temperature control; interesting, but a bit fussy. The gearshift is located on the center stack, but does not hinder control operation. To open the sunroof, reach down onto the lower left portion of the dashboard, rather than overhead, to find the controls.

Options are limited to a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system, each available on the Odyssey EX-L and the Odyssey Touring. The navigation system is DVD-based, and features voice-recognition technology that controls stereo, climate and navigation system functions. A reversing camera that displays what’s behind the Odyssey is included with the navigation system, and Food Network junkies will appreciate the new Zagat survey data for restaurants. With the navigation system, the 2005 Honda Odyssey comes wired for XM satellite radio.Odyssey buyers who select the optional onboard babysitter…umm, DVD entertainment system…will be overjoyed to learn that the viewing screen is now nine inches in width. It also includes an integrated remote control and wireless headsets with personal surround sound. Pump the volume through the Touring’s 360-watt audio system, and you might as well be sitting in a movie theater.