2003 Honda Odyssey: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Honda's minivan gets only minor tweaks for 2003 after last year's power and feature upgrades. Odyssey comes in LX, EX, and leather-upholstered EX-L models. All have a 3.5-liter V6, 5-speed automatic transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and front side airbags. Also standard are dual sliding side doors--power operated except on LX--and 7-passenger seating with a 3rd-row bench that folds flush with the floor. Available for EX-L is a factory-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment system with ceiling-mounted LCD screen, remote control, and wireless headsets. Satellite-based DVD navigation is also optional for EX-L, but not in combination with the video package. All 2003 Odysseys get an auto up/down driver-side window, plus new-style keys that Honda says are harder to duplicate. Four new paint colors complete the changes.

COMPETITION

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is Honda Odyssey. It's sportier to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat, but the ride can grow harsh at times.

Recommended Chevy Venture and Toyota Sienna are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, but they can't match the road manners of our Best Buys. Mazda MPV makes it to the Recommended list this year as a reliable family hauler offering better fuel economy than competitors at a reasonable price. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they don't offer the Caravan's breadth of model choices, they are mechanically similar. Their entry-level models are a super value for the price.