![]() The second row is a configurable bench it can’t fold into the floor like the seats in the Chrysler and Dodge minivans do, but the center seat can be removed entirely, leaving two captain’s chairs and an aisle to walk back to the third row. The three rows in the Odyssey offer plenty of room. The interior has some new colors and textures on the instrument panel and new fabric for the base models. Buyers who do a lot of highway driving might see optimal results at the pump if they get this engine. ![]() The deactivation was seamless in my Touring test van. The LX and EX models - the more affordable ones - use a 3.5-liter V-6 that doesn’t have cylinder deactivation and gets 16/23 mpg. This version of the engine is rated at 17/25 mpg, but comes only on the EX-L and Touring trims. The old system was only able to shut off three cylinders, meaning this new version will be able to conserve fuel in a wider variety of driving conditions and speeds. That means that when you’re cruising or decelerating, two or three of the cylinders will shut down to conserve fuel. There is also a change under the hood, where the 3.5-liter V-6 engine on the top two trim levels has a new version of the automaker’s cylinder deactivation system. For a full list of what changed between the 20 Odysseys, check out a side-by-side comparison here. If you weren’t looking closely, though, you’d never notice. The Odyssey is handsome enough, and for 2008 the taillights and front end get small tweaks to add a slightly modern edge. It’s a minivan, and no minivan on the market is stunning enough to stand out from the pack. We’re not going to spend a lot of time on the Odyssey’s looks. The Odyssey is unabashedly a minivan, which means it delivers all of that vehicle’s must-haves: three rows of comfortable seats, family entertainment options, a pleasant ride and, in the uplevel Touring trim level I tested, a big scoop of luxury sitting on top. Honda’s latest ad campaign asks folks to “Respect the Van” - the concept being that minivans are so derided these days that the idea of owning one has to be beaten into potential buyers. What I can say to all of them is that they have one model to hold themselves up against: the Honda Odyssey. Many companies are getting out of the minivan game entirely right now, while others - like Volkswagen and Hyundai - are just entering it. "I believe that an important factor in Honda's success is in their attention to the details.The Honda Odyssey gets a lot of minor changes for 2008, and when you account for all of them, they add up to one heck of an argument for buying a minivan. ![]() + "While some may believe the end is nigh for the minivan segment, Honda is out to prove it's anything but with the 2008 Odyssey." - Motor Trend.The Odyssey is available in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Despite minor steering woes and its suspension's inability to shield rear passengers against harsh road bumps, the Odyssey's superb brake system contributes to an overall pleasing driving experience. Aside from mixed reviews on its transmission's ability to downshift smoothly, reviewers appear to be impressed by its powerful V6 engine and fuel-efficient Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system. Honda has made a number of changes for 2008, including freshened exterior styling (which still doesn't score highly), new interior textures and improvements to the cylinder deactivation system to further improve fuel economy. According to, "he Odyssey delivers everything you could ask for in a minivan." In fact, the Odyssey has been given several honors, including being named one of Car and Driver "5 Best Trucks" in 2007. The 2008 Honda Odyssey receives accolades for its class-leading powertrain, sedan-like handling, eight-passenger capacity, long list of standard convenience and safety features, and record of reliability.
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