The shifter for the five-speed automatic transmission is high up, near the steering wheel, a good position for the driver. It offers drive mode and two low ranges, plus a special third gear range accessible by a button on its side. Call it a hill climber gear. When we first got into the Odyssey, we attempted a quick launch, but the car bogged down severely to the point we thought something might be wrong with the engine. But subsequent attempts delivered reasonable acceleration for a minivan, so we concluded the traction control stepped hard on our first attempt.

We wouldn't put the Odyssey through any particularly hard maneuvering, but generally it felt very drivable, a good combination between power and handling. Along with traction, it also gets stability control, plus a complete... // CNET Reviews