1999 Honda Odyssey

*Chevrolet Venture LS*Dodge Grand Caravan ES*Honda Odyssey EX*Toyota Sienna XLE

During this test of four popular minivans, history was made on several fronts. For the very first time recorded, a 7-year-old boy said from the back seat of a moving minivan, "You know, Dad, I'm kind of having fun." (Translation: "I like your job: driving around all day thinking about cars, telling jokes on the two-way radio, and occasionally stopping for expense-account ice cream.") And for the first time anyone can remember, MT editors relinquished the wheel to their spouses.

The occasion was a minivan comparison that doubled as a quickie family vacation. We enlisted spouses, children, and pets as guest minivan evaluators. Pitted against the Dodge Grand Caravan and its worthy rivals, the Chevrolet Venture and Toyota Sienna-and the reason for this comparison-was Honda's all-new Odyssey, the biggest vehicle that company has ever produced. Rather than trying to match price and equipment, we asked each manufacturer to give us their best shot and provide a combination of options that would show their product's strengths. All but the Honda Odyssey were '98s: No other '99s-including the '99 Ford Windstar-were available in time for this test. So turn the page-we're almost there!-to learn what we did on our summer vacation.

Chevrolet Venture LSBoy-Scout-Prepared for life's adventuresWith kids, dogs, cats, and ferrets running in a thousand different directions, it's comforting to have a single vehicle that can handle whatever your hyperactive tribe demands. Our all-hands-on-deck test employed an extended-wheelbase Chevrolet Venture outfitted with uplevel LS trim and a whole slew of individual options. At $26,216, the minivan boasted a long roster of comfort and convenience features, including front/rear air conditioning, power windows/door locks/mirrors, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, power sliding door, and aluminum wheels.

Modular flip-and-fold seats can hold seven passengers or be arranged to accommodate a variety of payloads, such as a completely open back section or free space on just the passenger side. Built on weight-reducing magnesium frames, each third-row seat tips the scale at a manageable 38 pounds, but they take longer than the competitions' to remove. Head- and legroom are quite adequate for rear passengers, though those in the third row do have to squeeze back there, as with the competition. Naturally, the front buckets are prime seating, with mild bolstering and wide bottoms. Having to turn a dial to crank the seatback to a comfortable angle is strongly disliked, though the fine adjustment is welcome.

Cupholder wars have inspired cheating on a whole new level, with Chevrolet putting a pair on each of the five modular seatbacks. For full-time functional cupholders, we counted six, with nary a one for the second row. The canyonesque map pockets, bite-size cargo hammock up front, and numerous storage cubbies are much welcomed by pack-rat travelers.

Power comes from a 3.4-liter/180-horse OHV V-6 that propels the nearly 2-ton box-on-wheels 0-60 mph in a competitive 9.9 seconds. Tuned for a compliant ride, the suspension settings conspire to offer moderate handling with significant body roll. Driven as if a kindergarten class is onboard, the Venture is comfortable, reasonably quick, and easy to command.

Against increasingly stiff competition, the Venture is not a standout, but rather an interesting alternative. Second echelon size and overall refinement conspire against the otherwise decent Venture. Desperately needing a standout feature, especially since others are adopting a power sliding door, the Venture's remaining assets may be its narrow, garage-friendly width that still permits toting a 4x8-foot plywood sheet and camel-like 25-gallon gas tank.