Only a quick glance at Honda's cubistic crate on wheels will tell you this isn't another tot-toting sport-utility vehicle. Instead, it's a radical idea for gear-hauling basic transportation that amounts to a big box on wheels with scrub-able cabin and a thrifty but strong four-pack engine. It's stark and square and downright cubic yet fixed with seats for four plus a high-powered stereo that adds a connection for external audio kit like a MP3 player.

On those flat sides, check out the double doors: Front one's hinged up front but the adjoining rear door has hinges on the tail side and both doors open wide in suicide-door fashion to forge a broad pillar-less opening on each side for stuffing gear aboard -- trail bikes, snowboards, maybe even a sofa and stereo speakers to outfit that dorm room. Then at the rear the hatch door consists of top and bottom sections that swing open like a clam's shell -- the lower lid folds down flat in line with the cargo floor as a seat or loading dock while the top one swings up until it's horizontal with the roof. It shelters the bay when up and creates an opening as wide and tall as the cargo bay.

Inside, the flat floor of Element is covered by a hard urethane-coated surface that sweeps out and wipes down fast. Likewise, the four flip-and-fold seats in the cabin are also designed for quick cleaning. Front seats are clad in a feel-good fabric that's actually waterproof while two back seats wear durable vinyl upholstery. Layout consists of a pair of firm bucket-style seats in front and followed by two broader buckets set side-by-side in a second row.

Seatbacks for the front set fold rearward until flat, as do both seatbacks on the second row. In effect, with all seatbacks folded down you end up with two long rows that resemble cots or sleeper seats. And back seats perform other tricks - each has a hinge on its outboard flank so the entire seat flips up to rest in vertical stance out of the way against the cabin wall. Or each seat pod may be removed entirely - they're light in weight and easy to eliminate.

For locomotion, Element carries the engine used by CR-V, a twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line-four with aluminum block and heads and Honda's i-VTEC variable timing valvetrain. It delivers 160 hp and mates with either the standard manual five-speed or optional automatic four-speed transaxle for the FWD version or one with Honda's intelligent 4WD device permanently engaged to send the engine's power to all wheels.

Two levels of trim apply to Element - DX and EX, and 2004 editions come in cool new colors, like the latest tint called Fiji Blue Pearl.

Foundation for the compact-class CR-V wagon is a universal small-car platform that Honda uses for various products in markets around the world. It has a low center of gravity and a wide-track tread to improve vehicle stability in motion.

Access to the cabin comes from four passenger doors or a cargo door at the back that's hinged on the right side, swings wide with several indents to pause along the swing, and has a window that flips up and out of the way to reach small items without having to open the door. Cabin layout looks conventional with tall buckets up front and a folding bench in back that holds two adults comfortably or three in a pinch.  

However, unconventional designs inside make creative use of the space and add to comfort. For instance, the two front buckets are separated by a flat floor. With a manual transmission, the stick mounts on a center console in conventional format, but with an automatic transmission the shifter sticks directly out of the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. That arrangement eliminates the need of a console so it vanishes, leaving the floor for walk-through space.

Rear seats split in unequal portions, each section slides fore and aft, the seatback reclines or folds forward and the folded seat tumbles forward, all to add flexibility in carving out space for people and cargo.

There are three trim variations. Entry point comes with a FWD LX that piles on convenience features. LX trim also works with 4WD, as does deluxe EX trim. All use the same engine, a 2.4-liter in-line-four that delivers 160 hp. An automatic four-speed is standard, but a manual five-speed is available with 4WD.

Honda's minivan packs a powerful engine and long list of equipment for safety and comfort.

Odyssey's extended chassis, derived from Honda's popular Accord sedan, carries car-like independent suspension and steering mechanisms. The platform sets up a smooth and stable ride quality, while also forging a passenger compartment of generous dimensions. The 3.5-liter V6 generates 240 hp and links to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Odyssey has two sliding side doors set behind front hinged doors. Top trim EX uses power controls to open and close the sliders. Inside, there are three rows of seats in place. Honda provides two individual captain-style chairs up front in a cockpit outfitted with all of the convenient features you would expect in a luxury sedan. Odyssey's second-row seats move around to several positions for flexibility in hauling people and gear.

The two captain's chairs slide together into a bench when more floor area is needed on the right side. These seats also can be removed easily by simply flipping a latch or two -- and one person can do that job, thanks to lightweight frames. Reaching the second-row seats is also easy: Just open a door, slip aboard and buckle up. Access comes from either side due to the dual sliding doors, and without bending and scooting or crawling.

Reaching the third tier's two-person bench requires more work, but not so to fold it flat into the floor because this thing flips and tucks in a clever vanishing act. As a secondary trick, the third bench also flips down and back to the floor so the seatback becomes the seat and the seat is the back, all facing rearward as a handy perch at a tailgate party. Then the top-hinged gate swings up so you can stand beneath it in shelter.

All aspects of Odyssey's interior orient toward comfort -- from power windows and door locks along with other power-assisted controls such as cruise control to assets like front and rear air conditioning with controls at each seat, even rear heat ducts. Deluxe options extend to a navigation system with leather package and DVD-based entertainment system. Latest paint shades for Odyssey are Evergreen Pearl and Redrock Pearl.  (CONTINUE...)