Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2007

Minivan

Winner: 2007 Honda Odyssey

Today's minivan market is crowded with competent entries, yet year after year the Honda Odyssey comes out on top as the minivan we'd most like to have parked in our driveway. Since 2000 the Odyssey has earned our top pick every year but one, when we chose the all-new Toyota Sienna over the aging, yet-to-be-redesigned Odyssey — and even then it was a tough call. It's not that other minivans aren't up to the task; we like the Dodge Grand Caravan's Stow 'n Go seating, and the Nissan Quest is a great minivan for those who want a little attitude with their family hauler. But the Honda Odyssey is such a compelling van on the whole, it's almost in a class of its own. Not only does the Odyssey have the expected interior features, it's also fun to drive and has excellent seats, an available 9-inch nav screen and the option of run-flat tires. The V6 engine delivers 255 horsepower and does so in a quiet and refined manner. If you need a minivan but want a sport sedan, the Odyssey is the most reasonable compromise you'll find. Think of it as the BMW of minivans.

Honorable Mention: 2007 Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona

Minivans like the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey offer the expected creature comforts and interior space. Pick a loaded version of any Japanese or even some American vans and you're looking down the barrel of a $40,000 note. That seems to run somewhat counter to the minivan spirit. We're guessing there are plenty of families who need multi-passenger capability but just can't drop $600 a month on a minivan payment. Kia and Hyundai were guessing the same thing. Starting price for a Sedona LX is about $23,000, and that includes a 242-horsepower V6, stability control, three rows of head curtain airbags, remote power door locks and captain's chairs in the second row. Opt for a fully loaded EX with leather, Infinity stereo and a rear-seat DVD system and the price tops out at $33,000. Even without the price advantage, both the Sedona and Entourage are preferable to the Chrysler Town and Country, Ford Freestar and Chevrolet Uplander. They are both clearly bargains — without feeling cheap.