Honda Odyssey

The Honda odyssey is by far the best Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in the market. For starters it doesn't look like a "Multi- purpose Van" but more like a car. It's probably the shortest MPV, yet the headroom is great thanks to its low floorboard.

The very day i collected my odyssey i drove up to penang with my family. Unable to revv the engine above 5000rpm, where the real punch lies, i was forced to keep to the speed limit. I was stunned by the car's comfort level.

Along the B-roads the car stuck like adhesive going into a mild understeer when pushed. The car's handling reminded me of my EG9. Yes, it is sluggish but the handling more than covers up for it. The triptronic mode is fantastic. Even at redline, it will not shift unless manually done.

Perhaps the only con of the odyssey is it's depreciation. After 4 years, the car was only worth 50k.

I decided that i had to upgrade, so i bought a GTI.

2 months before I replaced my 2.3L odyssey, I told myself to open up my options to other makes of MPVs, i.e. continental, korea and US on top of Japan. After numerous test drives, reseach and feedback from friends. I am back to odyssey again but this time the facelift 2.4L absolute model. The determining criteria for my decision include:

-All seats MUST cater to adults as my children will grow "bigger" in 2-3 years time.

-Reliability in engine and other parts of the vehicle.

-Reasonable maintenance cost.

-Good after sales service.

-Wife must be comfortable with it.