Honda Cars : 2010 Honda Odyssey gets its #1 Rating back | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

If I remember correctly this happened in 2004 as well, where the out going Odyssey was given the nod at top spot, if this isn't a testament to how advanced Honda makes their models when they first come out I don't know what is (I am thinking that this is the very reason for the Civic delay)....
Drivers who need to carry more than five people can choose from models of various types and sizes. There are conventional minivans, three-row SUVs, and so-called microvans, each with their own pros and cons. For this issue, we tested a new or recently updated model from each group. The results might be surprising.

Overall we were most impressed with the Mazda5 (available to subscribers) microvan, which scored an excellent 95 in our testing and earned a Top Pick in our April issue in the Family Hauler category. Despite its modest size, it is versatile and relatively roomy, with sliding rear doors, a small third-row seat, and seating for up to six. It also gets better gas mileage and is more agile and fun to drive than larger alternatives. A 2010 upgrade brought standard ESC.

If you need more room, especially in the third row, a minivan is a better choice. But while the redesigned Toyota Sienna (available to subscribers) is a very good vehicle, it doesn't measure up to the previous model, which had been our top-rated minivan for three years. The Sienna is still roomy and fuel efficient and has a smooth ride, but a drop in interior fit and finish and quietness, among other things, contributed to a drop in its overall test score from 93 to only 80 for the redesign (I didn't see this coming....). The Sienna remains the only minivan offering all-wheel drive, but that version also dropped in its test score for the same reasons. The six-year-old Honda Odyssey now leads the category. A resigned Odyssey is due out this fall.

Rounding out our group is the Ford Flex EcoBoost SUV (available to subscribers). The Flex employs the EcoBoost engine's turbocharging and direct fuel injection technology to optimize performance and fuel economy. That improvement boosted this version of the Flex to the top of its category, below only the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While its boxy shape may not appeal to everyone, it helps give the Flex a very roomy and versatile interior with seating for up to seven. And like all car-based SUVs, the Flex is available with all-wheel drive.

Prices for the vehicles in this test group varied greatly: from $23,805 for the small Mazda5 to $46,720 for the Flex.

Only the Mazda5 is recommended. The Toyota Sienna and the Flex EcoBoost are too new for us to have reliability data.

Source;
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/september/cars/minivan-and-minivan-alternatives/overview/index.htm