Honda,
the company that offers few if any options on its vehicles,
is expanding its variety of Odyssey minivan amenities in
a time-tested Honda way: More model choices. While that
could put Odyssey at a seemingly higher price than some
competitors that list at base, then are layered with pricey
options, Honda buyers know right away what they are getting.
Entry
level for the Odyssey is solidly mid-20s in price. But going
upmodel -- tops is the Odyssey Touring, with leather, rear
entertainment and nav system -- can push that to nearly
$39,000, reflecting an average $267 price jump for 2006
models. (A loaded anything-else would likely be at a comparable
cost.) The 2006 newby is a toney Touring model that includes
the DVD entertainment system but not the voice recognition/rear
camera-equipped navigation system previously on all Touring
models. The '06s also get XM Satellite Radio on all Touring
models, and leather steering wheel and shift knob on EX-L
models.
"Standard"
on Odyssey comes with assurance that a vehicle model's amenities
will be the same no matter how many dealerships one tends
to shop. (It probably also takes some sting out of the process.)
For this year, standard includes advanced safety features
(Honda cites its "Safety for Everyone" initiative),
including vehicle stability assist and rollover sensor.
Odyssey won a "best pick" crash test rating last
year from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Good
fuel economy comes from Honda's Variable Cylinder Management
that idles three of the six cylinders during highway cruising.
Odyssey
was totally redesigned in 2005 as a larger, spunkier, yet
more luxurious minivan, its second reinvention since being
introduced to American buyers in the mid-1990s. The newest
Odyssey hit the streets rolling with a 3.5-liter V-6 powerplant,
self-described "class leading" fuel efficiency
and an ultra-low emissions rating. With LX, EX, EX-L and
Touring Versions, the 2006 amenities list, depending on
model, includes power tailgate and sliding doors, halogen
headlamps, tri-zone climate control with air filtration,
360-watt premium audio, in-floor storage with a compartmented
lazy susan, and barely noticeable body-colored front and
rear parking sensors so the vehicle doesn't look like it
has a case of the zits.
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