Car and Driver picks Ody as best "Full-Size MiniVan"

sixtn39 · Apr 29, 2004

Article is now posted at their website

This month's Car and Driver issue (JUNE 2004) has a comparison test of the Caravan, Freestar, Quest, Sienna and our beloved Ody. Ody edged out Sienna by 2 points (their "objective scores are calculated from the vehicles' dimensions, capacities, and/or test results").
The comparo is now posted at their website www.caranddriver.com

Bravo !!!!

Even though this Ody model is at the end of its career, she is still the Queen.The comparo is now posted at their website www.caranddriver.com

Rolando · Apr 29, 2004

That's great, I feel better about our decision! We were tossing over the Sienna and Ody. The 2004 had all the bells and whistles, but the Ody had the great price, better quality leather seats and I like the look better than the Sienna.

vp46 · Apr 29, 2004

Looks - hind sight I think that was a major factor for my purchase too. The price was first though, comparable sienna was 37k out the door - mine was 29K

Go Ody!

02EXLODY · Apr 29, 2004

Rolando said:
I like the look better than the Sienna.

The front end of that Sienna has got to be the worst I've seen on a minivan in a while. I'm sure that the Sienna is a fine quality vehicle but man is it fugly.

ledebuhr1 · Apr 29, 2004

I also agree that the front of the Sienna is ugly, and so is the Quest. The GC and Ody are the best looking.

Do you know which model GC they tested?? was it an 05 with Sto-n-go?? Or an 04?

sixtn39 · Apr 30, 2004

There is no mention of the vehicle's model year, but the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT was equipped with the Stow 'n Go, which CD liked very much.

Guest · Apr 30, 2004

Not bad for an older design!

wild willy · Apr 30, 2004

vp46 said:
The price was first though, comparable sienna was 37k out the door - mine was 29K

With out a doubt....BIG price difference.

ledebuhr1 · Apr 30, 2004

Sixtn39, It sounds as though they tested an 05 GC.
Did they say why they dident rate the GC or Sienna higher?? Im very courious as to why the Sienna or GC wouldent have tested higher. They are both newer and better designs. What did they have aginst them??
I looked at our local library,and Barns and Nobel but niether had the new issue.

thanks

dgs · May 1, 2004

Hey, I just started a post on this in the "Minivan Comparisons" section (what was I thinking?

)! Oh well, here's my comments:

The finishing order was:

5 - Freestar SEL (big surprise)
4 - Grand Caravan SXT (yes, with Stow 'n Go)
3 - Nissan Quest SE
2 - Toyota Sienna LE
1 - Honda Odyssey EX-L (RES, I think)

Here's 'The Verdict' on each:

Freestar - "Ford lays down a bunt."
Caravan - "A great idea sabotoaged by tofu mechanicals."
Quest - "Nissan aims high and hits its own foot." (My favorite quote)
Sienna - "The Lexus of minivans."
Odyssey - "An oldie but a goodie."

One more on the Ody from the text: "Its fun-to-drive rating maxes out our minivan expectations."

I haven't read through the whole thing yet, but it looks like it came down to fun to drive over quiet or comfort. The top two were dead evena dn the Ody is more fun to drive. They're pretty consistant on that bias for driver enjoyment. The GC Stow 'n Go is great, but the rest of the van is mediocre.

dgs · May 1, 2004

Other notes from C&D (Now that I've read the whole thing :stupid: ):

The Freestar can't swallow a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood!
Grand Caravan: "Flabby Handling"
The Quest is 3" longer outside but the Ody will haul 2.5" more plywood and pipe inside. (and 9 more beer cases behind the second row, 2 more behind the third)
Quest: "Bountiful harvest of bad ideas in the dash."; "Exterior is intriguing ..... interior is mostly infuriating."; "Nissan's CEO needs to nail some scalps to the bulletin board for this corporate brain burp." (Ouch.)
The Ody was quickest in all acceleration tests except 0-30 (0-60 at 7.5, quarter at 15.9 / 88 MPH), and got the best MPG of the bunch during their test at 20.
Odyssey: "This is a minivan with moves."

TrickyDick36 · May 1, 2004

Car and Driver Rating

Another First Place Rating! Great...

Interesting that many of the Toyota forums are saying that the Sienna is much quieter (i.e. less wind and road noise) vs. the Odyssey, while most testers rate the Ody superior.

Since I've never tested the Sienna myself, I'd be interested to hear the opinion of those who have ridden in both.

ledebuhr1 · May 1, 2004

Honda wrote the check.

I have a feeling that the magizine tester are looking for something different than most minivan buyer. 99% of minivan buyers want smooth QUIET ride, decent handeling, and safty, features. i have NEVER heard of any minivan owner that trade in there minivan because it dident take corners fast enough.
the GC and sienna are better than the Honda. They are newer designs and offer more features. No way in H E L L is the Ody as quiet as the GC or Sienna. they need to put new batteries in thier hearing aids. The Ody has ALOT or road noise.

It sounds to me as though Honda spends alot of add money with Cand D.

Preachermain · May 1, 2004

I can't speak for the Sienna, because I didn't look at one (couldn't afford it), but I did check out the Chrysler T&C and the Odyssey. The Ody was obviously better made. Both vehicles had a nice ride and nice features (the T&C did not have the stow-n-go). But the Ody had better materials, better fit and finish, and was just much more solid. It also had the Magic Seat and the power silding doors.

Also, I got the Ody for $295 a month on a 36-month lease. The best Chrysler could do was $297 a month on a 63 month lease! My decision was easy.

My father went with me on both test drives. He retired from Chrysler a few years ago after 35 years, and he will only buy Chrysler products.

And he said the Ody was better.

'Nuff said.

Jeff

Go Wings!!!

04 Odyssey EX
96 Civic LX

ledebuhr1 · May 1, 2004

Preachermain,

What roads did you and your father drive on? The ody rides much stiffer. Also did you try the radio? the speakers SUCK. Also, did you take it on the expressway and hear all that wind and road noise?? Yes, the ody handles a little better and Accelerates quicker, but thats all.

egads · May 1, 2004

And to a lot of us that is enough.

sixtn39 · May 1, 2004

The article specifically states, "It's not the quietest of the bunch, and it doesn't have the best ride. But it has a sort of participatory vigor on the road that all car guys respond to, a direct communication link to the driver's instincts. Its fun-to-drive rating maxes out our minivan expectations....This is a minivan with moves. It has a sporty, crisp feel about it, in contrast to Sienna's soothing, always diplomatic approach."

Amen.

dgs · May 1, 2004

Re: Honda wrote the check.

ledebuhr1 said:
I have a feeling that the magizine tester are looking for something different than most minivan buyer. 99% of minivan buyers want smooth QUIET ride, decent handeling, and safty, features. i have NEVER heard of any minivan owner that trade in there minivan because it dident take corners fast enough.
the GC and sienna are better than the Honda. They are newer designs and offer more features. No way in H E L L is the Ody as quiet as the GC or Sienna. they need to put new batteries in thier hearing aids. The Ody has ALOT or road noise.

It sounds to me as though Honda spends alot of add money with Cand D.

They did find the CG and Siena quieter and smoother. The GC design, other than Sto 'N Go isn't that new. The body is basically the same and not as space efficient as the Ody or Sienna. The chassis was "flabby" and it was slow. The Sienna was the better choice if comfort, quiet and isolation are your priorities. They aren't mine or C&D's, and they've been very consistant about that over the years.

Preachermain · May 1, 2004

I'm anxious to read the article in C & D. Does anyone know if its in stores yet?

Jeff

Go Wings!!!

ledebuhr1 · May 1, 2004

DGS, I wonder how they came up with the GC being less efficient. Its the same size inside and out. If there are any differences they would be very small. I have been in both and though the GC was SLIGHTLY bigger. I dont know how they could call it slow. Its only 1 sec slower 0-60mph. I believe the Ody and GC have almost the Same torque at similar RPM. Did they say what they ment by "flabby". I believe DCX stated they made alot of changes for the 05 GC because of Sto-n-go. Its not a carry over frame., but not 100% new.

Last time it checked, any true "car guy" that wants preformance, doesent go and buy a minivan. Also, what roads do these people(C@D) drive on? and how fast do they take corners. I have had cars in the past that dont handle any where near as well as the Ody, and they get me around fine. You can only take corners so fast, especially with lots of people in them. i dident know people bought minivans because there "fun to drive".

Car and Driver picks Ody as best "Full-Size MiniVan"

sixtn39

Rolando

vp46

02EXLODY

ledebuhr1

sixtn39

Guest

wild willy

ledebuhr1

dgs

dgs

TrickyDick36

ledebuhr1

Preachermain

ledebuhr1

egads

sixtn39

dgs

Preachermain

ledebuhr1

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