Honda's Odyssey gets new styling inside and out for the 2008 model year, along with a newly updated V-6 engine with better fuel economy.
The exterior changes are limited to a new grille and a new front bumper. Inside, new colors and textures on the dash are combined with premium fabric on the LX and EX models.
Under the hood, the Odyssey's standard 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine delivers 244 horsepower and 16/23 mpg fuel economy. The upgraded version of that engine gets cylinder deactivation technology, which shuts down half of the cylinders at cruising speeds for added fuel efficiency at 17/25 mpg, though it makes 241 hp, less than the base engine. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine.
The Odyssey, like all other Honda vehicles, comes standard with stability and traction control, in addition to side and curtain airbags. It also comes in a variety of trim levels - LX, EX, EX-L and top-of-the-line Touring. Power sliding doors are standard on all but base LX models. Air conditioning and a 60/40 split third-row "Magic Seat" are standard on the base LX.
This year, the second-row "PlusOne" seat, which is standard on the top three trim levels, gets a new integrated storage bin. The PlusOne seat is now standard on the Touring edition, making it an eight-passenger vehicle.
On the entertainment side of things, the Odyssey now comes standard with an MP3-capable CD player and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players. Bluetooth is available on Touring editions; a rearview camera is now standard on EX-L models; and memory side mirrors are now standard on the touring. A power front passenger seat is also standard for 2008 on the EX-L and Touring models.
A DVD entertainment system with wireless surround-sound headphones and a voice-activated navigation system that incorporates both a rearview video camera and XM Satellite Radio are optional on most Odysseys.
Prices for the 2008 Odyssey start from $25,680, not including destination charges.
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