Odyssey comes in two trim levels, the $24,250 LX and $26,750 EX.
A 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 powers the front wheels, now generating 240 horsepower when fed premium-grade fuel. (Regular unleaded can be used, but output suffers.) A new five-speed automatic transmission is standard.
The LX offers most of the popular features, including air conditioning, antilock brakes, traction control, cruise control, adjustable steering column, and power assists for windows, mirrors and door locks.
EX adds power sliding side doors, automatic climate control, upgraded sound system with a CD player, a keyless remote entry and security system, and handsome alloy wheels.
Honda lists the EX with leather trim as a separate model, stickered at $28,250. All leather-clad Odysseys come with electric seat warmers. Leather-covered seats are a prerequisite for the DVD entertainment system, which adds another $500, and for the $2,000 factory-installed GPS navigation system. The latter works in conjunction with a DVD-generated map to give route instructions within major cities in the 48 continental states.
Standard Odyssey safety features include dual front airbags, side-impact airbags, and a three-point seatbelt/shoulder harness for each of the seven seating positions. Child safety seat anchors for the second and third-row seats were added last year. NHTSA awarded the Odyssey five stars for occupant protection in frontal collisions, the highest possible government rating.