Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002

Minivan

Winner: Honda Odyssey
"An unbeatable combination of safety, functionality and value."

Without a doubt, the Honda Odyssey is the sort of wonderfully adept hauler that minivan dreams are made of. Why? Well, first of all, it's huge, with gargantuan interior dimensions that make it capable of toting even king-sized broods. Useful features abound, one of which is a hideaway, or "magic," third-row seat, which can be folded down to lie flush with the floor in mere seconds, with minimum effort and one set of hands. The Odyssey's ride keeps drivers in dialogue with the road, thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension — a first in the minivan segment. Body roll around corners is minimal, less than one would expect for a vehicle of this size. For 2002, Odyssey buyers are treated to amped-up horsepower; the minivan's 3.5-liter VTEC-equipped V6 now delivers 240 hp and 242 pound-feet of torque, up from last year's 210 hp and 229 lb-ft. And when it comes to safety, the Odyssey also gets top marks. Its crash-test scores are excellent, and features like headrests and three-point seatbelts on all seven of its seats make this the vehicle you'd want your family in if things ever got hairy on the road.