The Honda Odyssey EX is a GREAT van. I work for a major international car rental agency and have driven almost every passenger vehicle in North America and this is the most well thought out and easiest to drive mini vans I've ever seen!! My wife and I test drove the earlier models and felt that they were noisy, had shoddy interiors and rode very roughly.
In comparison, the 2006 Odyssey is the pinnacle of minivan engineering. Extra thick, plush seats with arm rests. Extra cup holders everywhere. Windows that actually roll down in the rear and don't just vent. A built in lazy-susan style cargo hold under the floor. A flip down panoramic style mirror which doubles as a sun glasses holder.
The 2006 EX offers a silky smooth road feel, with very little road noise. The 3.5 Litre engine produces more than enough power, even with a full van, to accelerate through the quickest of merges. Not to mention the 5 star crash test rating (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Side curtain airbags, vehicle stability control and dual front airbags are standard equipment in this model.
Having driven almost all other minivans (and owned a few as well), I can EASILY say that this is the nicest and nicest looking minivan today. The Honda Odssey EX has only to live up to the legendary Honda reliability to make a believer out of me!