An engine almost never heard

Honda’s third-generation Odyssey is a superb vehicle to drive. It is very smooth and quiet, and has ample power. Its engine is almost never heard, and its five-speed auto goes about its business without hunting or transmission shock.

Odyssey is a perfect example of just how far people-movers have come in recent times. With each new model, Honda has pushed the bounds: its latest version is more car-like than ever. Odyssey is now so appealing it could attract a few wagon buyers - even if they don’t need seven seats.

Odyssey and Luxury Odyssey are both powered by a 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, coupled with a very smooth five-speed Grade Logic control automatic transmission with sequential manual mode. Available is a respectable 118kW of power and 218Nm of torque.

With this more-than-adequate power, the 2.4-litre engine does a remarkable job for such a big vehicle, even on hills. And the gearbox is a delight to use in the manual mode, making better use of the engine in hilly situations.

Odyssey’s revised four-wheel double wishbone suspension and lower centre of gravity provide superior levels of handling and ride comfort.

A huge sloping windscreen and a long, low roofline enhance the smart-looking Odyssey. It has a cab forward design, which maximizes interior space, while its lower ground clearance provides easy entry for passengers.

Its profile is sleek, ultra-modern and reminiscent of a sedan-based wagon rather than a people-mover. Designers have increased interior space, even though the vehicle is slightly shorter and much lower than its predecessor.

Odyssey’s big surprise is its interior: luxurious, extremely comfortable, flexible and futuristic. The dash has a wrap-around design with deep-set gauges that illuminate in a soft blue. Bold air vents feature with integrated audio and ventilation systems. In the centre of the dashboard - and close to the steering wheel - is the small auto shift leaver that is simple and precise to use in either automatic or manual modes.

Seating is very comfortable and flexible. Both driver and front-seat passenger get a multi-position armrest. Between the seats is a console with storage bin and cup-holders. It folds down to allow access between the front- and second-row seats. Second-row seats are 60/40 split-fold design and offer tilt adjustment on the back. Third-row seats can be accessed by sliding the second row forward. On Luxury models, one can, at the touch of a button, electrically retract the third-row seats into a floor well.

Both models come highly specified and are now more affordable, as Honda has dropped prices by several thousands dollars. The standard Odyssey ($38,790) features:

• ABS.
• Front and side airbags.
• Climate-control air-conditioning with second-row outlet.
• Power windows.
• Central locking.
• Security alarm.
• Cruise control.
• Single CD tuner with steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Luxury model also comes with:

• Side curtain airbags.
• Electric sunroof.
• Alloy wheels.
• Leather trim with heated front seats.
• Eight-way power driver’s seat.
• Six-stack CD.
• Leather steering wheel with wood-grain trim.

This is a lot of vehicle for $45,290. But Odyssey has one failing: its A-pillar in the corner of the windscreen can interrupt corner vision.

...great to drive in any situation.
...plenty of head and shoulder room.

Rightly atop the tree

Nissan’s volume-selling X-Trail has shown it can lead the pack in the crowded compact SUV market. And, to keep the pressure on its competitors, Nissan has released the Series II X-Trail, which offers better value for money, more equipment, styling updates and a new-look interior.

This vehicle deserves to be at the top of the tree: it’s great to drive in any situation. Its engine is powerful, flexible and fuel-efficient; its ride and handling are very well sorted; and the All Mode 4x4 system is efficient and easy to use. X-Trial is impressive on rough roads and, with care, could handle some off-road terrain.

All models (ST, Ti and TiL) now have:

• Cruise control.
• Active headrests.
• A multi-box capable of heating and cooling food.
• Cooled front drink-holders.
• A leather steering wheel.
• CD player.
• Air-conditioning.
• Power windows.
• ABS.
• Dual front airbags.
• Front seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Ti also has:

• Alloy wheels.
• Climate control.
• Six-stack CD.
• Rear spoiler.
• Fog lamps.
• Alloy pedals.

Additional with TiL are power front seats with full leather trim, and the choice of an electric sunroof or rear-seat DVD system.

X-Trail’s 2.5-litre DOHC multi-valve engine - which produces a healthy 132Kw of power - is the most powerful four-cylinder in this class, and offers good fuel economy. It should tow well, too, especially in light of its 245Nm of torque and impressive 2,000kg towing capacity.

Drive is normally to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. A rotary switch on the dashboard operates X-Trail’s All Mode 4x4 system. Drivers can select between 2WD, AUTO and LOCK.

AUTO mode is both pro-active and reactive, and provides torque to the rear wheels if the drive wheels begin to lose grip, or if road conditions suddenly change. LOCK mode locks the centre differential and delivers a torque split of 57 per cent front, 43 per cent rear.

Externally, X-Trail is a bit more box-shaped than some of its competitors. But its design is still functional, athletic and more akin to a full-size 4WD. Although not a serious 4x4, X-Trail does have reasonable ground clearance, short front and rear overhangs, and all major mechanical components tucked up out of the way. The massive rear muffler is the only vulnerable item underneath.

Inside, X-Trail is particularly pleasing. It offers good visibility, high comfort levels and plenty of head and shoulder room. Front seats are big, firm and supportive, and offer plenty of thigh and lateral support. The rear 60/40 seat is equally comfortable. The back squabs feature a five-position tilt function. While not everyone will like the central gauge cluster, it is easy to read and doesn’t take long to get used to.

Nissan has made good use of space with storage compartments throughout the cabin. Its wide, flat cargo bay is capable of swallowing a heap of gear. Rear seats tumble and fold to create a completely flat surface 1.7 metres long and around one metre wide. The washable rear floor tends to allow unsecured items to slide about, so one should consider one of the optional cargo mats.

Despite X-Trail’s additional features, pricing remains unchanged, starting at $31,990 for the ST manual.

No people-mover of old

In a long line of new and upgraded models Mitsubishi intends to release over the next few months, Grandis is the first. Described as an “active recreational tourer”, it replaces the ageing Nimbus and Starwagon.

Like Honda’s new Odyssey, Grandis is the next generation in people-movers. And both vehicles share many features: a modern and stylish appearance, comfortable up-to-the-minute interiors, and flexible seating and cargo arrangements.
Grandis was first released in two specification levels, but Mitsubishi will now only import the luxury model. Its price has been slashed to just $43,990, in line with Honda’s price-reduced Odyssey.

Standard features include:

• Power windows and mirrors.
• Remote locking.
• Cruise control.
• Front and rear auto air conditioning with heating ducts to second-and third-row seats. (This system includes a pollen filter and deodorizing
  feature.)
• Six airbags (front, side and curtain).
• ABS with EBD (electronic brake force distribution).
• Three-point seat belts, headrests and personal lamps in all seat rows.
• Alloy wheels.
• Dual sunroof, privacy glass and roof rack.
• Wood and leather steering wheel.
• Illuminated vanity mirrors.
• Six-speaker CD audio.

Grandis is the first Mitsubishi vehicle in Australia to feature the new 2.4-litre SOHC four-cylinder MIVEC engine. It can produce a respectable 121kW of power and 217Nm of torque.

Mitsubishi claims fuel economy of 10.4 litres per 100km and acceleration from 0 to100km/h in 12 seconds. The only transmission available is the versatile INVECS II Smart Logic four-speed automatic with Sports Mode sequential shifting. It is operated by a mini gear-shifter fitted to the central facia, and features a gate design for simpler operation.

Inside, Grandis is roomy, comfortable and flexible. Like Odyssey, it features a “waveform” dash design with a huge sloping windscreen providing excellent forward visibility.

Front seats are comfortable and feature large adjustable armrests. Second- and third-row seats are multi-adjustable and also comfortable. All outboard seat positions score a reading lamp, air conditioning vent and cup-holder. Two suitcases can be carried with all seats occupied; and seats can be individually folded in a range of configurations to maximize seating and cargo flexibility.

On-road performance is very good, especially compared to the people-movers of old. The MIVEC engine provides plenty of punch for any situation and the transmission is equally up to the task. The cabin is quiet at all speeds, with engine noise well suppressed. Ride and handling are well sorted, making Grandis a very comfortable and capable vehicle to drive.

After its price repositioning, Grandis ends up a little cheaper than Odyssey. It misses out on the leather trim found in its competitor, but it is highly specified, well engineered, sharp-looking and very comfortable.

To complete the difficult task of choosing between these two vehicles, one would ultimately have to decide on the basis of personal preference, and the best available deal.

...comfortable, spacious and user-friendly.
...sure-footed on secondary unsealed roads.

More appeal, a better position

Hot on the heels of the Grandis, Mitsubishi has released its upgraded Outlander SUV. In addition to cosmetic design changes, interior upgrades and improved specification levels, 05 Outlander now offers 20 per cent more power and a new VR-X sports model.

Like Grandis, Outlander now features the all-new 2.4-litre MIVEC SOHC four-cylinder engine, a powerplant of which we are likely to see much more. The engine employs a multi-mode variable-valve timing mechanism, which improves power, offers increased torque across the full rev range, and delivers good fuel economy.

In the Outlander, MIVEC 2.4 produces 120kW of power at 5,750rpm (up from 100kW) and 220Nm of torque at 4,000rpm (up from 205Nm). Ninety-five per cent of that torque is available at 2,500rpm. New Outlander accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds (1.6 seconds quicker) and is one second faster from 80km/h to 120km/h.

All four wheels are driven by the same full-time 4WD system used on early Lancer Evo models. Normally, torque is evenly split between front and rear axles. However, as slippage is detected, a viscous coupling unit (VCU) automatically redistributes torque. The only transmission available is Mitsubishi’s acclaimed INVECS II Smart Logic four-speed automatic with “Sports Mode” sequential shifting.

Externally, the futuristic grille has been softened and enhanced with the introduction of projector-style headlamps. Front and rear bumpers have received some treatment and a bee sting-style radio antenna is fitted to the roof. The rear tailgate has been redesigned with a larger window and features an LED stop lamp inside a high-mount roof spoiler.

Outlander’s interior is comfortable, spacious and user-friendly. The well-laid-out dash features a set of easy-to-read gauges and is finished in modern colours and textures. A mini gear-shifter is fitted to the central facia and provides space for an exceptionally large console storage bin.

All seats are comfortable and afford plenty of support. The rear 60/40 seat is easily folded for additional cargo space.

In addition to the previous LS and XLS models, Mitsubishi has released a sporty VR-X model. The LS ($32,490) includes:

• Air conditioning.
• ABS.
• Dual airbags.
• Cruise control.
• Power windows.
• Roof rails.
• CD audio system.

The XLS ($36,390) comes with these features as well, but also:

• Side airbags.
• Six-disc six-speaker audio.
• Alloy wheels.
• Privacy glass.

VR-X ($37,990) has:

• Bigger 17-inch alloy wheels.
• Sports-tuned suspension.
• Special paint treatment with unique badging.
• Chrome exhaust.
• Leather and suede seat trim.
• Sports-style bucket seats.
• A premium audio system.

LS can be optioned with side airbags and six-disc CD, while the only option on XLS and VR-X is an electric sunroof.

With its increased power and style changes, Outlander is more appealing and, therefore, a better proposition. But it sells in a crowded market, and its lack of a manual transmission might put some off - although the quirky, dash-mounted gear-shifter gives one the best of both worlds.

Like others in this class, Outlander is not a serious off-roader but has good highway manners and is sure-footed on secondary unsealed roads.

Until the end of October, LS is available at a special introductory price of $29,990.