Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Small Van

Winner: Honda Odyssey

Wait a second! Didn't Chrysler just redesign their minivans for 2001? Aren't they the established kings of the minivan market? How can the plain-Jane Honda still be our choice for Most Wanted Small Van when the new Grand Caravan and Town & Country offer so many cool features like a removable center console and a power-operated rear liftgate? Well, let's check Chrysler's latest people movers in the areas that really matter: Superior crash worthiness? Nope. Disappearing third-row seat? Nope. Independent rear suspension? Nope. Reputation for top-notch build quality and reliability? Nope. 200-plus horsepower engine for less than $28,000? Nope. So, for less than $27,000 you can get the Odyssey EX with power sliding doors, a 210-horsepower V6 with VTEC engine technology, rear climate controls, a CD player, remote keyless entry, a folding center console, a disappearing third-row seat, plus Honda build quality and five-star crash ratings. We think it's neat that Chrysler figured out a way to provide separate audio channels for the rear seat passengers and how to include a power outlet in the removable center console, but we'll take the safer and value-packed Odyssey EX instead, thank you very much.