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One of the most-popular minivans on the market has gotten even better for 2005, clearly raising the stakes in a market that accounts for more than a million sales each year in the United States. The Honda Odyssey (base price $25,195 plus $515 freight), which has been the best-selling import minivan the past several years, showed up this year with a complete makeover.

Our test model, the next-to-the-top EX with heated leather front seats, navigation and rear DVD entertainment system ($34,295 plus freight), was almost as classy as a minivan can get.

Now built exclusively at Honda’s plant near Birmingham, Ala., the 2005 Odyssey is more powerful than ever, and has a number of improvements over the previous generation – major and minor.

Some history: The Odyssey was introduced in 1998 as a ’99 model, then was upgraded for 2002, when production was begun at the new plant (in addition to the original plant in Canada). Honda has opened a second production line at the Alabama plant that doubled its capacity and allowed the company to consolidate all Odyssey production in the new facility.

Under the hood of this latest version is a revised 3.5-liter, single-overhead-cam, 60-degree V-6 engine that also is used in the new Accord gasoline-electric hybrid. It’s rated at 255 horsepower – up from 240 in the previous model. Two versions of this engine are offered.

Base models get one with Honda’s variable valve-timing technology and the 255 horsepower, while the highest-priced versions – the EX leather model and the top-of-the-line Touring model – come with a version of that engine with the same horsepower, but also intelligent variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. It’s the first engine in the minivan class with cylinder deactivation, which also has shown up this year in several other new products, such as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum.

This system automatically shuts off fuel to half of the engine’s cylinders at highway speeds to reduce fuel consumption. Honda says the partial shutdown occurs during cruising, but when the rest of the engine is needed for passing or climbing grades, for instance, a computer brain detects the need for more power, and kicks in the additional three cylinders.

The Odyssey continues to have state-of-the-art interior accommodations as well. The third seat still folds fully into the floor to create a flat load space, but now it is divided into two sections, and either one can be folded away, leaving at least one seating position in the rear while also increasing cargo area. The previous model’s entire seat had to be folded away in one piece. Another plus for 2005 is that the headrests don’t have to be removed to fold the seats into the floor.

But only the third seat can be folded completely into the floor, while in the 2005 Dodge and Chrysler minivans, the middle row of seats can be folded away just like the third seat, creating a flat load floor from just behind the front seats all the way to the tailgate. The new Odyssey’s middle row doesn’t fold away, but the two middle-row captain’s chairs can be removed to increase cargo space.

Our test vehicle came with an optional seat between the two middle-row captain’s chairs, giving the second row room for three passengers. That allows for seating for up to eight even with captain’s chairs in the two outboard middle-row positions.

The single middle seat can be removed and stowed in a storage compartment under the middle row when not needed. That compartment also can be used to hide valuables from sight while the vehicle is parked in public places, Honda says. And the the middle-row captain’s chairs can be moved forward or backward a total of 10 inches, or can be moved sideways to be either next to each other or completely separated (with the middle seat section removed).

Obviously, Honda has paid close attention to detail, something evident just about everywhere you look or touch. There are 15 cupholders in the EX model, and several cubbies for storage. The dash has been redesigned as well, with large, easy to read instruments and controls that are easy to reach and operate.

The shifter for the five-speed automatic transmission sticks out from the dash just to the left of the center audio/heating-air conditioning stack, keeping it off the floor and out of the way.

This minivan doesn’t drive like you might think a van would drive. It’s almost like driving a sport sedan, which isn’t surprising considering that the Odyssey is built on the same chassis architecture as the Accord sedan. At highway speeds, the cabin is noticeably quieter than before, almost like a luxury car.

Part of the sport-sedan feel comes from that really peppy and smooth V-6 engine, which gives the Odyssey plenty of zip – especially helpful for uphill freeway on-ramps and passing on two-lane roads.

Speaking of two-lane roads, our Odyssey performed well on some twisties in the Hill Country. Handling on curves was crisp and clean, quite unlike what you might expect for a people-hauler such as this.

Outside, Honda went with the concept that change is good only if it makes things better. To that end, the Odyssey’s styling remains basically the same; it’s hard to tell a previous-generation Odyssey from the new one at a quick glance. Already having the best-selling import minivan, Honda resisted making any dramatic styling changes. The company said that the major goal was to make the new Odyssey better in ways that mean something to customers, while maintaining the character of the van that many consumers already have come to love. The 2005 model is the same length as before – 201 inches – but the interior has two more inches of length and is an inch wider to make it roomier.

Among the new Odysseys features and claims are best-in-class performance and fuel-efficiency (with the cylinder-deactivation system); enhanced handling and ride, which Honda says “approaches the level of a luxury-class sedan”; and advanced entertainment and cockpit technology, including voice-recognition capabilities.

Safety features include a new body structure designed to be less “aggressive” toward other vehicles in a frontal collision, while also offering better protection for the vehicle’s own occupants, the company says. Standard on all models will be vehicle stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, side-curtain air bags for all three rows of seats, and new side-impact protection beams.

The Odyssey also is the first minivan to offer Michelin’s PAX run-flat tires, which allow the vehicle to go 100 miles at up to 50 mph on a flat tire, eliminating the need to stop on a busy highway to change a tire. These tires are standard on the Touring model, but are not offered on the other trims.

Odyssey’s V-6 engine is connected to an all-new five-speed automatic transmission. The engine has drive-by-wire throttle control, which has no mechanical link between the accelerator pedal and the engine.

Besides our EX leather model and the top-of-the-line Touring version ($34,695 plus freight; $38,495 with navigation and rear DVD), the Odyssey comes in a base LX version, as well as a midlevel EX model without leather, navigation or rear entertainment ($28,195 plus freight).

The Touring edition, a new trim level for 2005, adds luxury features normally associated with premium sedans. It comes with all of the upgrades of the EX model with leather interior and the cylinder-deactivation system, plus a power tailgate, three-zone automatic climate control, power adjustable foot pedals, automatic day/night rearview mirror, a 115-volt power outlet, and special interior trim.

Power sliding side doors are standard on all but the LX model, whose side doors are manually operated. Our EX model with leather also got a power moonroof, which also is standard on the Touring model.

Also standard on uplevel models is XM Satellite Radio, and optional is a GPS-based navigation system with voice recognition and a rearview camera that gives the driver a view to the rear on the dash-mounted navigation screen when the transmission is in “reverse.” These were included on our test vehicle, and I found the backup camera especially useful in shopping mall and supermarket parking lots.

EPA fuel-economy ratings for the base engine are 19 miles per gallon city/25 mpg highway. For the models with cylinder deactivation, the ratings are 20 mpg city/28 highway. The tank holds 21 gallons of fuel, and regular unleaded is recommended.

G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist at the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. You may contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

At a Glance – 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan

The package: Five-door, seven- or eight-passenger, V-6 powered, front-drive minivan. Highlights: Completely redesigned for 2005, this has been the best-selling import minivan on the market for the past five years. The 255-horsepower engine is up 15 hp. from last year’s engine, and lets the Odyssey run away from most of the rest of the minivan pack; the interior is the essence of convenience with unique seating configurations and lots of cargo space; the vehicle is roomy, comfortable, quiet, and fun to drive. Run-flat tires are now offered in the top model. Negatives: Middle row of seats cannot be folded away into the floor; must be removed to increase cargo space. Length: 201 inches. Curb weight: 4,378-4,634 pounds. Engine: 3.5-liter V-6. Power/torque: 255 horsepower/250 foot-pounds (with cylinder deactivation in uplevel models). Transmission: 5-speed automatic. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock. Cargo volume: 38.4 cubic feet. Fuel capacity/type: 21 gallons/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy: 19 miles per gallon city/25 highway (base engine) 20 mpg city/28 highway (optional engine with cylinder deactivation). Major competitors: Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Kia Sedona, Mazda MPV, Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey, Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country, Buick Terraza/Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac Montana/Saturn Relay. Base price range: $25,195-$38,495 plus $515 transportation. Price as tested: $34,810 with freight (EX model with leather, navigation and rear entertainment). On the Road rating: ***** (five stars out of five).