Honda Odyssey 2004 review: snapshot

And despite the completely new look, increased features and more interior space, the new Honda Odyssey is actually $7200 cheaper than its predecessor.

Honda Australia director Lindsay Smalley says Honda is selling so many Odysseys in Japan (where it was released about 12 months ago) that the cost of production is significantly lower than the previous model.

The price ($38,790 base and $45,290 luxury) makes the Odyssey an impressive addition to the people-mover market and puts some serious pressure on its rivals.

The Toyota Avensis GLX is $43,100 ($4310 more) while the Mitsubishi Grandis is $45,710 ($6920 more). The Holden Zafira is $6100 cheaper, but Honda says that gap narrows to just $200 when the Odyssey's longer list of features is added to the price of the Zafira.

And the sales figures speak for themselves – the Odyssey outsold the Toyota Corolla in Japan in its first few months.

Honda engineers and designers spent many months labouring over the new Odyssey to achieve three main goals: style, aspiration and advanced technology.

And they succeeded.

The 2004 Odyssey looks and handles even less like a people mover than its predecessor. Its front is aggressive and sleek. The long, low-slung roofline is more wagon-like and even the rear is not overlooked with twin exhausts poking out. In fact, it would be safe to say that the Odyssey even has a bit of street cred.

The clever advertising campaign, which shows a mother and father enjoying a long kiss in the front of the Odyssey before remembering they have four little ones watching on from the rear, conveys Honda's message – one that other companies are sure to adopt – that having a big family doesn't mean you have to settle for a car that has the sex appeal of a bus.

No V6 will be available.Powered by a new 2.4-litre engine that combines variable-valve timing control and electronic lift control and produces 118kW at 5500rpm and 218Nm of torque from 4500rpm, the Odyssey is definitely no slouch, up 8kW and 12Nm on the old 2.3-litre version but with a fuel efficiency of 9.4L/100km.

The base model has all the mod cons, including climate-control airconditioning, four-wheel disc brakes, dual front and side airbags, cruise control, power windows and eight cup holders.

The luxury model adds features including side curtain airbags, sunroof, light-sensitive headlights, 16-inch alloys and a power-retractable third row of seats.

The Odyssey sits on re-tuned four-wheel double wishbone suspension, improving stability and ride. The variable steering gear ratio system gives more steering assistance at low speed, giving the Odyssey a turning circle of 10.8m, identical to that of the the Accord Euro. It is pulled up by four-wheel disc brakes that have ABS, with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, and the low centre of gravity means the Odyssey handles similar to a passenger car.

There was no body roll on tight and twisty roads, and the only noticeable downfall was a lack of power when accelerating uphill after a tight bend – but sports shift mode helped.