NEW FOR 2009:

Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Honda

- Standard power liftgate on EX-L trim line

For 2009, the Honda Odyssey minivan is unchanged, save for the addition of a power liftgate to the EX-L trim line; previously, it was only available on the top-line Touring model.

The Odyssey is available in DX, LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trim. All are eight-passenger except for the seven-seat DX. All use a 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, but those in the EX-L and Touring also include Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which can seamlessly shut off two or three cylinders when they're not needed, such as under light load. This allows the engine to run as a three-, four- or six-cylinder unit.

Features on the DX include 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, second-row manual HVAC controls, tire pressure monitoring system, heated mirrors, front splash guards, variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear wiper, power locks with keyless remote, cruise control, tilt and telescopic wheel, illuminated vanity mirrors, in-floor storage, first- and second-row power windows with driver's auto up/down, CD/MP3/WMA stereo with auxiliary input, and six-way manual driver's seat.

The LX adds body-colour side moulding, roof rails, tinted glass, conversation mirror with sunglasses holder, and second-row Plus One Seat with storage.

The EX adds 16-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row automatic HVAC controls, security system, body-colour door handles and mirrors, ambient cabin lighting, auto-off headlamps, exterior temperature gauge, garage door opener, second-row sunshades, power sliding doors, six-CD/MP3/WMA stereo, and eight-way power driver's seat.

The EX-L adds power sunroof, Active Noise Cancellation, auto-dimming rearview mirror, reverse camera, power liftgate, XM satellite radio, heated leather seats, leather-wrapped wheel, and four-way power passenger seat.

The Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, fog lamps, 115-volt power outlet, automatic headlamps, navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, multi-information display, power-adjustable pedals, driver's side memory, subwoofer, and rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Powerful, nice to drive and very luxurious in its upper trim lines, the Odyssey is a big and comfortable minivan, although it can get expensive when moving up the trim ladder. The DX trim, exclusive to Canada, helps bring down the price.