honda odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a vehicle manufactured by Honda. In North America it is manufactured as a minivan. In the world market, it is manufactured as an MPV.

North American Market

First generation (1995-1998)

The Odyssey was introduced in 1995 as a compact minivan with four swing-open doors as on most sedans rather than the conventional sliding door design. The basic vehicle was shared between the Japanese and North American markets. The Odyssey was also the first minivan to have a flat-folding third row seat. Built on the Accord platform and using a 4-cylinder engine like the Accord's, many critics thought the interior was too small for a minivan, and the engine underpowered despite an engine size increase in 1998. Consumer Reports preferred the larger, redesigned Kia Sedona in a test. Consumers agreed and the first generation Odyssey was not a sales success.

The first generation Odyssey came in two trim levels LX and upscale EX. The LX could fit seven with two front buckets, a three-seat middle bench, and a 2-seat third row bench. The EX came with two second row captain's chairs.

The Odyssey was rebadged as the Isuzu Oasis, which is now discontinued. This unusual sharing of vehicles resulted from a lack of SUVs in Honda's lineup. Isuzu got from Honda the Odyssey and renamed it the Oasis. Honda got from Isuzu the Rodeo and renamed it the Passport. Acura got the Trooper and renamed it the SLX. The Odyssey and Oasis were used in New York City as taxi cabs.

The Odyssey was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1995.

Second generation (1999-2004)

The American Odyssey was sold under the name Honda Lagreat in Japan from 1998 to 2004, with the smaller Japanese Odyssey continuing in Japan and numerous export markets. The American van was the first Japanese minivan to adopt the size and layout of the class-leading Dodge Caravan. It had class-leading power and good acceleration, however transmission technology failed to keep pace with engine power. The 4-speed automatic transmission in 1999 to 2001 models and the 5-speed automatic in 2002 to 2004 models had very serious problems with transmission reliability which have not been solved. The oil jet recall for some 5-speed automatic transmissions did not address or solve the main cause of breakdown. As in the similar 5 speed transmissions of the Acura TL and MDX, failure of the transmission's third clutch pack, blockage of internal transmission fluid flow by large amounts of clutch debris, and other issues remained a problem even after the oil jet recall. Also, road noise issues, rattles, expensive power door failures, sticking door seals, indifferent dealer service and added dealer markup weighed against this powerful and large family cruiser.

Third generation (2005-present)

The North American market Odyssey was redesigned and released as a 2005 model. Production moved from Alliston, Ontario, Canada, to Lincoln, Alabama. It is well pollished like a mid-luxury sedan but does its minivan duties efficiantly. It continued on the global light truck platform remaining different from the Japanese domestic market Odyssey. It retained the basic chassis with front strut suspension and multi-link rear suspension from the previous model and was only marginally larger, heavier and slower in acceleration. It continued with a 3.5 L V6 engine. EX-L and Touring models have i-VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management. The 2005 model added a lazy susan storage bin in the floor where the spare tire used to be in the previous model, eight passenger seating with limited availability, and a 60/40 fold flat seat (like the Kia Sedona's). Pax run flat tires were introduced as standard on the higher priced Touring model and can run 125 miles when flat. But limited availability and high cost of repair and replacement for Pax tires raised questions about their overall value. Cost of a set of four Pax snow tires and wheels was $1600 in 2005. Replacement Pax tires cost between $200 for one tire alone and $600 for one tire and wheel. Honda and Michelin dealers do not always have the expensive equipment needed to install Pax tires on used Pax wheels and may try to sell the tire pre installed on a new Pax wheel. Initial prices were increased by added dealer markup. Prices for highly equipped models increased greatly over the 2nd generation vans. The 2006 Touring with Nav and entertainment may sell for over $40,000 out the door. By late 2006, increased supply in the minivan marketplace had lowered average selling prices. Issues include much lower than advertised gas mileage, wind noise at the windshield, road noise, a malfunctioning DVD system, exhaust drone at 2000 rpm, noises and malfunctions of the sliding doors, variable dealer service and added dealer markup. Increased competition from Asian and U.S. brands will increase choices in this market segment which has remained rather static in volume. Gas price-mileage issues and average selling prices may encourage buyers to seek vehicles that are less costly to buy and operate.

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and International Market

First Generation (1995-1999)

The first generation JDM Odyssey is the same as the North American version.

Second Generation (2000-2004)

In 2000, a new, larger "second generation" Odyssey appeared in Japan and Australia. However, this new Odyssey was actually a major upgrade of the first generation Odyssey, and not a completely new model. As a result, its overall shape and appearance were similar to the first generation Odyssey. Still, it was 85 mm longer and 10 mm wider than the previous model. The base model continued with a 2.3 L 4-cylinder engine, but the most exciting addition was an optional 3.0 L VTEC V6 engine producing 201 hp (154 kW). The 2000 Odyssey was the first Honda to receive a 5-speed automatic transmission, which also featured another first - a manual shift (semi-automatic) mode. The interior was completely new. The old automatic column shifter was moved to a unique central position on the dash. Digital climate controls replaced the old manual controls, and were situated below the audio system controls. Luxurious woodgrain trim appeared on all models, while V6-L models received leather for the first time. In January 2003, the Odyssey received a mild restyle. It received new, larger Honda emblems for the front and rear, clear-lens taillights (replacing amber), and a larger grille with 4 chrome strips instead of 3. Pricing was reduced by US$2,000 (US$24,490) for the 4-cylinder, and US$4,000 for the V6 (US$30,490). In the Australian market, the new Odyssey proved more popular than its predecessor, at least initially. However, in 2002, sales hit an all-time low, and in 2003, sales of only 649 units were almost one-third that of 2000.

Third generation (2004-present)

The third generation Japanese-built Odyssey was the first full redesign of the Odyssey since its introduction in 1995. Going on sale in Japan in late 2003, and in Australia and many other countries in 2004, it continued with a 4-door body style, with a much sleeker, lower, and more car-like appearance. The new Odyssey came with the Honda K24 engine, a 2.4 L unit producing 158 hp (118 kW); this is the same engine used in the CR-V and Accord. Curiously, the V6 engine was dropped completely. However, this has not stopped the new Odyssey from becoming a sales success. In Australia, the Odyssey achieved its best-ever sales year in 2005, and has outsold the Toyota Tarago for the first time.

Price

• (LX): $25,345
• (EX): $28,395
• (EX-L): $30,795
• Touring: $36,595

External links

• Official U.S. Site
• YahooAutos-2007 Honda Odyssey
• YahooAutos-2006 Honda Odyssey
• AutomobileMagazine-2005 Honda Odyssey (review)
• AutoGuideWiki.com
• OdyClub.com forum