2003 Honda Odyssey - Cars Worth Noting - Has new dual sliding power doors - International Pages - Brief Article - Product Announcement

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2002 by John Peter

Have you been to a kid's soccer game lately? Today's soccer mom drives an SUV.

That's more than likely because of the negative image America has cast upon the lowly mini van. It's a shame really, because since Lee Iaccoca introduced the first one nearly 20 years ago, there still isn't a better way to shuttle young children around.

The car-based platform creates a low step up and the boxy interior allows for seating flexibility and plenty of storage. The way Honda enters vehicle segments, it's not surprising that they came into the mini van segment with one of the best.

Three years later, the Odyssey is still at the top of most mini van buyer's lists, but personally I think it's becoming a little too familiar. Odyssey still feels roomy inside with a flat floor and easy access from front to back. The dual sliding power doors make it easier to get into and out of, and the fold down rear seat is a neat little invention that only Mazda has seen fit to copy. As an added little surprise, with the seat folded backward and the rear door up, this Honda makes a great three-person bleacher seat at the kid's soccer game.

The Odyssey is still fun to drive, if that can be said of a mini van, but the styling is getting a little old.

With a freshened Civic and radical new Accord, not to mention Pilot and the all-new Element, it seems the sky's the limit for the next Odyssey Let's just hope that the new form doesn't interfere with the function.