2006 Honda Odyssey

The best-selling Honda Odyssey moves into the 2006 model year with few changes. With its car-like handling, powerful engine, and intelligent interior space, it's a natural favorite. The Honda offers the Odyssey in three trim lines: LX, EX/EX-L, and Touring.  

The Odyssey's standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 244 hp with 240 ft-lb of torque, but comes in two configurations based on trim line. The standard VTEC (Variable Timing and Electronic Control) equipped engine that comes on the LX and EX trims is EPA rated at 19/25 mpg.

The engine in the more fuel efficient EX-L and Touring trims features the iVTEC timing and valve control system that teams up with Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which shuts down three cylinders during cruising and deceleration for improved gas mileage. Honda claims that VCM can increase fuel economy by 12% over the VTEC V6. The EPA rates the iVTEC engine at 20/28 mpg. In addition, the VCM system includes Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, which incorporates the car's audio system to cancel noise from the VCM system. Some reviewers got 16.3-16.9 mpg in city/highway driving with a Touring test model, while another achieved low-to-mid-20s on a 375-mile round trip with a fully loaded EX-L. Odysseys run on regular fuel.

The V6 flows power through a five-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels with almost no torque steer. An Odyssey Touring cruises across the 0-60 jump in 8.6 seconds and sashays around the skidpad at 0.77 g.

The Odyssey can comfortably carry up to eight passengers, depending on its seating configuration. The first and second rows are bucket seating - with a removable "PlusOne" mini-seat (the eighth seat) on the EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels - and the third row has a split 60/40 bench seat that folds into its own well; some reviewers claim the bench seats are comfortable for medium-size adults. The interior has a number of storage spaces, two glove boxes, a "Lazy Susan" bin, and an amazing 17 cupholders spread throughout it. Reviewers all found the interior comfortable, quiet, and convenient.

The Odyssey also gets high marks for its ride and handling. One reviewer actually tested it on a racetrack, finding the Odyssey stable at high speeds and "chuckable" through the corners. The ride is taut but comfortable for long trips and much closer to that of a sedan than an SUV. The brake system is well engineered, with every Odyssey featuring ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist, brake assist, and electronic brake distribution.

Besides the brake system, all Odysseys come equipped with front and side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, and improved crash protection through a revised body structure design. The Touring trim gets run-flat tires and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Odyssey got top ratings in government and insurance crash testing, earning a "Best Pick" mention.

Some of the standard trim features of the base LX line are manual seat controls, power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry, air conditioning, manual-sliding rear doors, a CD player, and 60/40 split fold-down rear seats.

Moving up to the mid-level EX adds tri-zone climate controls, power-sliding doors, the stowable second-row PlusOne mini-seat, steering wheel audio controls, a power driver's seat, and alloy wheels. The EX-L trim adds leather, the iVTEC engine, heated front seats, and a power moonroof.

The luxury, top-of-the-line Touring trim adds run-flat tires, a power tailgate, a stiffer suspension, front and rear parking sensors, automatic tri-zone climate controls, power-adjustable pedals, an upgraded sound system, and a DVD rear entertainment system, among other features.