First Drive: 2005 Honda Odyssey

Honda set several goals for the redesigned 2005 Odyssey. In addition to class-leading safety, the company wanted its new minivan to offer better performance and handling, improved fuel-efficiency and emissions, upgraded comfort levels and added utility, and expressive styling inside and out.

With more power and torque for 2005, the new Honda Odyssey accelerates more quickly than the previous version. Under the hood of the LX and EX resides a 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine with variable valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC), generating 255 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Power flows to the front wheels through a new five-speed automatic transmission with direct shift control, getting to the ground more quickly thanks to a new drive-by-wire throttle. This engine runs on regular unleaded fuel, and meets stringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards in California and New England. Because the all-wheel-drive slice of the minivan sales pie chart is extremely thin, Honda has decided to forego four driven wheels, leaving the Toyota Sienna and new minivans coming soon from Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn to capture those buyers.

Up-level Odyssey EX-L and Touring models get this same motor, but with an iVTEC (i = intelligent) Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that shuts down three of the engine’s six cylinders to conserve fuel when cruising at a steady rate of speed or when decelerating. With this engine, the Odyssey is expected to achieve a 20-mpg city and a 28-mpg highway fuel efficiency rating from the EPA. Included with this engine is an Active Noise Control (ANC) technology that works in concert with the audio system to quell unwanted interior noise from the VCM and other sources, allowing the technology to work transparently to the Odyssey’s occupants. All 2005 Honda Odysseys have a larger fuel tank this year, giving the vehicle greater travel range than before.