Honda Odyssey History
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The Honda Odyssey is a minivan that was first introduced in Japan back in 1994 and the U.S. one year later. Its initial reception in local showrooms was unfavorable due to its smaller size compared to the market leader, the Chrysler Town & Country, but Honda’s reputation for reliability and strong resale values enabled the Odyssey to quickly become a household nameplate within its first couple of years of sale.
The Odyssey’s other major draw card was its competitive pricing, although an inflow of cheaper models from Toyota and the South Koreans have seen this advantage eroded significantly. With a starting price of $26,805, the current 2010 Honda Odyssey occupies the middle of the road in terms of pricing but it’s an absolute bargain when you compare it to the newer breed of luxury MPVs like the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and BMW 5-Series GT.
The first generation Odyssey shared its platform with the top-selling Honda Accord sedan. It was manufactured in Japan and was only available with a four-cylinder engine. Customers did, however, have the choice between seven- or six-seater capability, the latter using two removable second row captain's chairs in lieu of the regular bench.
Honda realized that if the Odyssey was to be truly successful it would need to have to grow in size, so the decision was made to sell a bigger version in North America. Honda also decided to move production of the Odyssey to North America and replace the four-cylinder engine of the previous model with a new 3.5-liter V-6. Coming onto the market as a 1999 model, the bigger Odyssey was praised for its strong power, excellent handling and twin sliding doors.
Honda was onto a winning formula so for the third and current generation of the minivan, which was first launched as a 2005 model, changes were kept to a minimum. The latest 2010 Honda Odyssey now features a 244 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 with optional cylinder deactivation technology. The most efficient model returns an EPA-rated fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
Looking forward, Honda is now working on a fourth generation Odyssey and has already unveiled a concept version of the upcoming model. Drawing styling influences from previous Japanese versions of the Odyssey, the concept showed a sleek, modern and fluidly compact design for the popular minivan that should put an end to complaints that the current model’s styling is too dull. Honda's new 2011 Odyssey minivan will make its production debut this fall.
