From the November 1998 situation of Automobile and Driver.

Ever since Chrysler invented this factor known as the minivan in 1983, completely different variations of it have popped up as automakers tried to seek out the proper mixture of measurement, versatility, and look that will win new clients.

As mannequin 12 months 1999 is upon us, it is obvious that Chrysler’s minivan components nonetheless guidelines the roost. Not solely have the Chrysler autos outsold all others, however every new minivan in the marketplace up to now two years has been a Chrysler clone.

The primary indication of the cloning got here when Toyota dumped its distinctive Previa minivan with its mid-mounted engine in favor of a standard front-engine design. Now Honda is the most recent producer to chime in with a Chrysler drivalike.

The 1999 Odyssey rec­tifies the previous Odyssey’s largest flaw—its small measurement. Honda now concedes that its earlier household hauler, primarily based on a 4­-cylinder Accord, didn’t provide sufficient house or energy. The Honda people additionally discovered that Accord and Civic homeowners had been doing a no-no: shopping for Chrysler mini­vans as an alternative of Odysseys.

And not using a platform bigger than the Accord within the lineup (keep in mind, people, the Passport sport-utility car is a repack­aged Isuzu Rodeo), Honda was compelled to provide a wholly new platform for the 1999 Odyssey. With a clear sheet, the engineers thought massive.

The wheelbase grew 6.7 inches longer than the previous Odyssey’s to 118.1 inches. The size went up 13.6 inches to 201.2, the width elevated 5.0 inches to 75.6, and the peak by 5.1 inches to 69.7. These dimensions are inside two inches of a Grand Caravan’s.

An even bigger outdoors meant a much bigger inside. The inside quantity of all three seating rows is at the very least on par with Chrysler, and behind the third seat, there may be 19 cubic toes of house. As within the previous-generation Odyssey, behind the third seat is a deep nicely into which the rearmost seat can fold, leaving a flat cargo house. With the third seat up, we may put 19 of our normal beer-case containers behind it, yet another than we may slot in a Dodge Grand Caravan.

For the reason that indentation for the folding rear seat occupies the house usually reserved for the spare tire, the Odyssey’s spare resides beneath the ground between the primary and second rows (within the previous Odyssey, the spare hugged a rear aspect wall). Whereas we’re on the second row, it is value mentioning the 2 separate bucket seats and their two-position function. There are two units of ground anchors for the right-­aspect center bucket. One set positions it behind the passenger’s seat and about 12 inches from the opposite center bucket. The opposite set places it subsequent to the left-side bucket, making a bench.

To extend the Odyssey’s energy, the four-cylinder engine is changed with a 3.5-­liter model of the aluminum SOHC V-6 used within the Accord. Though incorpo­ranking Honda’s VTEC system, the engine makes use of an intake-valve scheme not seen for the reason that 1992 Civic VX‘s VTEC-E engine. Under 3300 rpm, just one consumption valve is opened absolutely, and the opposite valve is opened a smidge to forestall gas from pooling on the valve. Honda says this promotes consumption swirl and higher combustion, decreasing emissions (the engine achieves LEV standing for gentle vans). Above 3300 rpm, each consumption valves open for higher respiratory. Output is 210 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 229 pound-feet of torque at 4300 rpm. Placing that energy to the entrance wheels is a four-speed automated. On the monitor, the Odyssey EX accelerated to 60 mph in 10.0 seconds, 0.1 second faster than the Grand Caravan ES, however 0.6 second behind the Ford Windstar LX and Toyota Sienna XLE we in contrast final February.

Honda says it went to nice pains to maintain the Odyssey’s middle of gravity low and to make the minivan a assured han­dler. A strut suspension up entrance and a rear multi-link setup do the job, and the Odyssey would not really feel as tall as it’s. Final grip, at 0.74 g, betters the 0.71 g achieved by each van in our final comparo.

Two fashions of the Odyssey might be supplied, the bottom LX and the EX. Customary on all Odysseys are anti-lock brakes, twin sliding center doorways, the folding third seat and the nifty movable center seat, air-con entrance and rear, and shoulder belts for all passengers. The step-up EX minivan will get you traction management, twin power-sliding doorways, alloy wheels, and a CD participant. Costs haven’t been launched, however anticipate the LX to value about $23,500 and the EX to come back in at about $26,000.

General, the Odyssey combines the virtues we have come to like in Hondas—a commanding view of the street, excellent high quality, and benign, assured dealing with. Now with a flexible, roomier inside, the Odyssey has a shot at knocking the minivan crown off Chrysler’s noggin. We would not guess in opposition to it. Search for an upcoming comparo with all the most recent minivan gamers.