This is my fifth honda since 1985 ... and another winner!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Another Honda Home Run - For 2005 it doesn't get any better than this!

Cons: No change drawer, Wiper controls counter intuitive, Center tray table needs improvement.

The Bottom Line: 
If you can get one, take it home today!! No car company can touch the new Oddy!

Author's Review
The 2005 Oddy will be another Best in Class home run for Honda - the van by which all others will be judged. Many of the features that made the old Odyssey the car to beat are still here, with further refinements. The new features that make it even better are:

Super quiet - even quieter than before
More power
Bigger and roomier - over 2 tons, feels solid and secure
Variable Cylinder technology (see below)
Comfortable seats
Tons of cupholders
Removable "jump" seat for eighth passenger
Even more refined ride
Great stereo
Built-in roll-up sunscreens in rear windows
Lazy susan under floor storage tray
Extra DC outlets

I purchased the EX with leather. Only that model and the Top of the Line touring model has the VCM (Variable Cylinder Management), which under various driving conditions shuts down 3 of the 6 cylinders to save gas. It works for city and highway driving. I found that speeds over about 75 mph are too fast to benefit from it, but if you set the cruise between 70 and 72, it will stay on most of the time. On a run down the Florida Turnpike between Orlando and West Palm, I achieved a respectable 25.75 mpg at a steady speed of 70 mph. Higher speeds will be worse, but I am sure lower speeds could achieve at least 28 mpg. Around town I have been averaging 18. Both these numbers are quite respectable seeing the van weighs over two tons. I am not going to go into details about the other new features - check out Honda's website for that.

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Odyssey&bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True

Just want to sum it up by saying that buying this van is the best choice out of all minivans on the market today. You will not be sorry. As a long time Honda owner, I only have 3 peeves about this car:

1. Every Honda I ever owned had a change drawer and an ash tray. The new Oddy had neither. No place in this car to store change or small items - except one of the cupholders, where it rattles around. What happened to my change drawer Honda?

2. Wiper controls on control stalk seem to be counter intuitive from previous Hondas I have owned. Totally backwards. For the first month I kept turning on the rear window wiper instead of the front, then struggling to figure out how to shut the rear off.

3. Center tray table between front seats - needs further refinement. We never fold it up as intended and it becomes a big dumping ground for all small loose stuff. With the flat plastic surface, everything slides around. I was hoping for a console similar to the Honda Pilot - now that is nice. If not, Oddy tray table could be improved with a rubber mat to prevent items from sliding around. Also, cup holders on tray not big enough for large "big gulp" type fountain drinks. Have to rely on dash cup holders which are not as easily accessible.