By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

As far as MPVs go, Honda's current Odyssey has been a runaway success. When it was launched here in 2004, it clinched The Straits Times Car of the Year title.

Again, no mean feat for a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), traditionally among the least glamorous of cars.

So the new fourth-generation Odyssey has big shoes to fill. Not only that, a couple of compact, value-for-money MPVs have appeared on the market since 2004.

How will the new seven-seater fare?

At first glance, it appears Honda has done little to change the Odyssey. Its overall slim wind-cheating profile has been retained, still driven by a 2.4litre four-cylinder engine, and the cockpit looks refreshed but somewhat familiar.

Admittedly, it is tough to make large improvements on something that is already so successful. But sometimes, little changes matter, too.

The new Odyssey is more usable. Starting from the front, the A-pillars are much thinner, improving turning visibility. Likewise, the partitions between the side quarter windows and the front windows have shrunk, again upping visibility.

Access for rear occupants is improved markedly. The middle-row seats slide farther forward, allowing passengers to get to third row more easily. To get out from the third row, there is now a foot lever to release the second row.

However, the middle row is still not the lightest nor the most hassle-free around.

The new car offers more legroom, a trait most owners of existing Odysseys will appreciate. But headroom is still not great, especially in the third row.

Nevertheless, the car is generally high on comfort. Its ride quality is exceptional, with its suspension keeping all four corners of the car on even keel most of the time. Poor road surfaces are heard rather than felt. And the car resists bodyroll bravely.

Occupants are treated to high build quality and among the best materials and finest finishing you will find in its price segment. Its equipment level has gone up by a notch. You get three-zone climate control, an Alpine DVD infotainment set with reverse camera and electronic stability programs that were not standard fare previously.

Honda has dropped the quick-shifting function on its gear lever, though. The car is supposedly more resistant to understeer and cross winds, and its A-pillars, although thinner, are said to be up to three times stronger than before. Front, side torso and curtain airbags are also found in the new car.

Owners will find more cubby holes, a wider boot access and the servos which make the third-row seats disappear into the floor (already available in current model) a boon.

The more fashionable individuals will like the car's subtle but highly effective cosmetic changes. The front looks smart indeed, with a low-profile grille and headlamps presented as a one-piece assembly, framed by a stylish chrome-surfaced lower section. Its rear-light clusters have gone linear as well, again giving it a more modern appearance.

At the wheel, the car is certainly pleasing enough. Its engine, found also in the new Accord, offers more shove at the top end. Low- to mid-range pull is a tad better than the current model.

You sense that the car is tuned this time more for economy and refinement than performance. A higher compression ratio (10.5 from 9.7 previously) necessary for a new i-VTEC operation and various tweaks to lessen friction in the gearbox are among changes made.

Honda claims the Odyssey will deliver 12km per litre in a mix of highway and city driving. If true, this would certainly be an improvement over the current MPV. In fact, that would make it inconceivably even more frugal than the Accord 2.4, which has the same engine.

Overall, the Odyssey, despite the minor changes, is more desirable than before - even if it is still not the most spacious of MPVs in its class.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Nov 1, 2008.

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