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Selecting the all-new 2005 Honda Odyssey as MotorWeek's Best Minivan for the year also made it a perfect candidate for further review in our long term fleet. And after 3 months and some 6,300 miles, we have to say so far, mostly so good. Now our Odyssey is an EX so it doesn't have the fuel saving Variable Cylinder Management system that shuts down three of the 3.5-liter V-6's cylinders while cruising. Still, our result of 19.1 miles per gallon looks good compared to popular mid-size SUVs, and the Odyssey comes standard with electronic stability control. Actually, for carrying big families and big loads while maintaining reasonable economy, you can't beat the minivan concept. The Odyssey also has most of the latest minivan features including side door windows that roll all the way down.
On the downside, when you really need all the space, removing the second row seats is still a chore. Here Chrysler minivans have the edge with their Stow-N-Go system. And we had an unexpected mechanical problem. The motor in the right side sliding door had to be replaced. But we doubt that that is a forewarning of things to come. The 2005 Odyssey is still a great minivan made better.
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We're 5 months into our long term test of this 2005 Honda Odyssey EX minivan, our Drivers' Choice as Best Minivan of the Year. After 8,500 miles, fuel economy remains satisfactory for a minivan, rising steadily to 20.1 miles per gallon.
We have had, however, a reoccurrence of a mechanical problem. For the second time, the right side power sliding door stopped working. Moreover, it was stuck open, and would not close manually. The problem was once again traced to a bent bracket and the motor assembly that operates the door. Honda is looking into our problem, but says so far they have uncovered only a few isolated failures of Odyssey power door systems with no apparent pattern of defect. We'll keep you posted.
Otherwise, our Odyssey has lived up to our expectations as a highly versatile, comfortable, powerful and easy to handle family van. The new split folding third seat really heightens flexibility, and being able to lower the sliding door glass brings in a welcomed breath of fresh spring air.
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Summer is where you really appreciate the total versatility of the minivan concept. No SUV offers the big people and cargo flexibility of a minivan, nor the long distance, comfort and just great all around ease of use. We're 6 months into our long term test of this 2005 Honda Odyssey EX minivan, our Drivers' Choice as Best Minivan of the Year. So, obviously we are very fond of the Odyssey. But even it is not perfect.
The second row seats are still heavy and cumbersome to remove by one person. But even if they don't fold into the floor, they do come out. Up front we found the front passenger seat doesn't go back very far, so large riders feel cramped, especially in leg room. Fortunately problems with the power sliding doors have not reoccurred. This is one energized minivan. The 255-horsepower V-6 is always willing, yet still pretty frugal.
With 9,000 on the odometer, mileage stands at 19.4 miles per gallon. But on a recent interstate highway trip, we managed 25 miles per gallon. In this area our Odyssey also easily beats most SUVs hands down.
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No big SUV can touch the people and cargo hauling versatility of a minivan. Remove the Odyssey's second row seats, which is still a chore, and fold the third row into the floor, and it's ideal for the biggest loads. The wide power side doors make loading easy. We did have problems with our doors but they are working fine now.
Highway cruising is smooth, effortless, and pretty thrifty. With a 255-horsepower V-6, our average fuel economy is 20.7 miles per gallon, but a recent trip to New England yielded a solid 26. We have noticed a few more suspension groans than when new, but just a few signs of age.
If you've had it with thirsty SUVs, the minivan just might deserve another look, and we think you should look closely at the front-wheel drive Honda Odyssey.
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Nearing the end of its year in our long term fleet is this 2005 Honda Odyssey EX minivan, and it is a perfect example of the value of our extended tests. First off, we can confirm our wisdom in picking the Odyssey as our Drivers' Choice Best Minivan of the year. This cavernous cruiser beats other minivans and most SUVs in passenger comfort, cargo flexibility, and economy. Its strong 255 horsepower V6 never missed a beat, while returning 20.6 miles per gallon after 11 months and over 21,000 miles.
Second, long term tests let us discover the Achilles' heels in even the best vehicles. The Odyssey had two. Early on we had a power side door motor fail twice, and recently we found that in near freezing weather the rear hatch would not stay open. A dealer visit is called for here. Otherwise, the only major problem with the Honda Odyssey is that soon we'll have to give it back.
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We announced recently that the Honda Odyssey garnered our MotorWeek 2006 Drivers' Choice award as Best Minivan for the second year. That's after driving this Odyssey EX for a full year and almost 24,000 miles. We continue to be impressed with the Odyssey's outstanding combination of comfort, utility, and ease of driving.
And we give that praise even though we also know the Odyssey is not perfect. We had power door problems early on, the front passenger seat is still cramped, and a blown strut means the hatch won't stay up.
On the other hand, the Odyssey's powerful 244-horsepower V6 never misses a beat, and even returns SUV-beating economy of 21.6 miles per gallon. There may be minivans that top the Odyssey in one area or another, but it's still the best overall minivan choice.
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After 27,000 miles, we continue to be impressed with the Odyssey's outstanding combination of comfort, utility, and ease of driving.
Problems included a faulty power side door, and a blown strut so the hatch wouldn't stay up. But the Odyssey's powerful 244-horsepower V6 never missed a beat, and even returned SUV-beating economy of 21.8 miles per gallon. We still firmly believe it is the top minivan, and winning our MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award confirms it.
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