Mk3 Odyssey

Honda says its third-generation front-drive Odyssey sets new standards in people-mover design by negating the inherent compromise between the ability to transport seven humans in comfort and to offer car-like performance.

There’s no doubt the all-new Odyssey, with a far lower centre of gravity and greater interior space (despite being only slightly taller than a Jazz), is a dynamic benchmark for people movers.

But Odyssey III’s trump card - despite the sad lack of a V6 engine option - is its keener ($7000-less) base price, which makes it far more affordable.

Meanwhile the Luxury is very well equipped. Power is from Honda’s venerable 118kW/218Nm 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC LEV four-cylinder engine, only available with a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Like the last generation, the ’04 Odyssey is the smaller Japanese market model.

The Americans have a separate, larger device of the same name.