Honda Odyssey (international)
Encyclopedia
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan
manufactured by Japan
ese automaker Honda
since 1994, marketed worldwide, and now in its fourth generation in North America
and Japan
.
The Odyssey had originally been conceived and engineered in Japan
, in the wake of country's economic crisis of the 1990s
– which in turn imposed severe constraints on the vehicle's size and overall concept, dictating the minivan
's manufacture in an existing facility with minimal modification. The result was a smaller minivan, in the Compact MPV
class, that was well received in the Japanese domestic market and less well received in North America. The first generation Odyssey was marketed in Europe
as the Shuttle.
Subsequent generations diverged to reflect market variations, and Honda
built a plant
in Lincoln, Alabama
, incorporating the ability to manufacture larger models. Since model year 1999, Honda
has marketed a larger (large MPV-class) Odyssey in North America
and a smaller Odyssey in Japan
and other markets. Honda
also offered the larger North American Odyssey
in Japan
as Honda LaGreat between 1999 and 2004.
n version. The right-hand drive version had a 4WD transmission (with RA2 and RA4 chassis), and 3.0L J30A engine with the RA5 chassis (Prestige version). L and Aero models were equipped with a sunroof. All the JDM Odysseys had the double-air conditioning system, separate for the front and rear seaters. Since the first generation all the models have been six or seven seater versions.
In Japan, the Odyssey competed with the Toyota Gaia
and the Nissan Bassara
.
and Australia
and as a Left hand Drive (LHD) in China
. However, this new Odyssey was a major upgrade of the first generation Odyssey rather than a completely new model. As a result, its overall shape and appearance were similar to the first generation Odyssey. Still, it was 85 mm (3.3 in) longer and 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in) wider than the previous model; while the saloon's length was shortened. The base model continued to be sold with a 2.3 L 4-cylinder engine F23A RA6(2WD) & RA7(4WD), however, the a 3.0 L VTEC V6 engine J30A (from the first generation, producing now 210 hp (157 kW
)) was available with RA8(2WD) & RA9(4WD). The 2000 Odyssey was the first Honda to receive a 5-speed automatic transmission (with the 3.0L engine). All the second generation gearboxes also featured another first – a tiptronic-like manual mode, known as "Honda S-matic", in which a gearbox remains to be a classic Honda's hydro-automat, but the driver is able to manage the shifting moment (if electronically allowed) with the selector's '+' & '-' positions. The interior was completely new. The old automatic column shifter was moved to the centre console. Digital climate controls replaced the old manual controls, and were situated near the audio system controls. Woodgrain trim was standard on all models, while in V6-L models leather was standard. The interior configuration was also changed (second and third row), and the spare wheel was moved to a new position beneath the third row. With L and Absolute versions, an additional third-row heater was added. The sunroof was no longer available.
A sporty 'Absolute' version with all the chassis for the first time has appeared. This co-Mugen tuned version differs by the modified suspension
of the European-like car's behavior, 17-inch wheels and some exterior/interior changes.
In January 2003, the Odyssey was given a mild restyle. It received new, larger Honda emblems for the front and rear, clear-lens tail-lights (replacing amber), and a larger front 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 of the total in 2000.
and Accord. A 4WD version (RB2) came only with an automatic transmission, while the 2WD version came only with a continuously variable transmission
, except Absolute. The V6 engine was dropped completely. Instead, a 200 hp (149 kW) forced variant of the K24A engine was adopted for the sporty Absolute version (190 hp (142 kW) with 4WD), which was only equipped with an automatic transmission – both the 2WD & 4WD variants. Moreover, this new engine had the same fuel consumption as the old 2.2 engine. All this resulted in the new Odyssey becoming a sales success. In Australia, the Odyssey achieved its best-ever sales year in 2005, and outsold the Toyota Tarago
for the first time.
magazine's Car of the Year
for 1995. At the Odyssey's European launch, where it was marketed as the Shuttle, British ex-Grand Prix
driver Jonathan Palmer
described its handling as equal of any "executive saloon".
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
manufactured by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese automaker Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
since 1994, marketed worldwide, and now in its fourth generation in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
The Odyssey had originally been conceived and engineered in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in the wake of country's economic crisis of the 1990s
Japanese asset price bubble
The was an economic bubble in Japan from 1986 to 1991, in which real estate and stock prices were greatly inflated. The bubble's collapse lasted for more than a decade with stock prices initially bottoming in 2003, although they would descend even further amidst the global crisis in 2008. The...
– which in turn imposed severe constraints on the vehicle's size and overall concept, dictating the minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
's manufacture in an existing facility with minimal modification. The result was a smaller minivan, in the Compact MPV
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...
class, that was well received in the Japanese domestic market and less well received in North America. The first generation Odyssey was marketed in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
as the Shuttle.
Subsequent generations diverged to reflect market variations, and Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
built a plant
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is an automobile manufacturer located in Lincoln, Alabama. It builds vehicles for Honda sales in North America. Production began on November 14, 2001, with the plant producing its two millionth vehicle on September 3, 2010...
in Lincoln, Alabama
Lincoln, Alabama
Lincoln is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,577. It was named for Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who served in the American Army during the Revolutionary War.-Geography:...
, incorporating the ability to manufacture larger models. Since model year 1999, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
has marketed a larger (large MPV-class) Odyssey in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and a smaller Odyssey in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and other markets. Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
also offered the larger North American Odyssey
Honda Odyssey (North America)
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 1994.The Odyssey had originally been conceived and engineered in Japan, in the wake of country's economic crisis of the 1990s – which in turn imposed severe constraints on the vehicle's size and overall concept,...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as Honda LaGreat between 1999 and 2004.
First generation (RA1-RA5 chassis) (1995–1999)
The first generation Japanese domestic market Odyssey was similar but not completely the same as the North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n version. The right-hand drive version had a 4WD transmission (with RA2 and RA4 chassis), and 3.0L J30A engine with the RA5 chassis (Prestige version). L and Aero models were equipped with a sunroof. All the JDM Odysseys had the double-air conditioning system, separate for the front and rear seaters. Since the first generation all the models have been six or seven seater versions.
In Japan, the Odyssey competed with the Toyota Gaia
Toyota Gaia
The Toyota Gaia is a Japanese market MPV that competes with the Nissan Prairie and the Honda Shuttle. It was replaced by the Toyota Isis. The Gaia shares a platform with the Toyota Ipsum and Toyota Corona Premio...
and the Nissan Bassara
Nissan Bassara
The N30 Bassara was a MPV manufactured from November 1999 to June 2003 at Nissan's production facility in Tochigi, with the second generation at the Kyushu plant. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Vajara", which means "the prize or object of desire that encourages someone to yield to...
.
Second generation (RA6-RA9 chassis) (1999–2003)
In the late 1999, a new, larger "second generation" Odyssey appeared in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and as a Left hand Drive (LHD) in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. However, this new Odyssey was a major upgrade of the first generation Odyssey rather than a completely new model. As a result, its overall shape and appearance were similar to the first generation Odyssey. Still, it was 85 mm (3.3 in) longer and 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in) wider than the previous model; while the saloon's length was shortened. The base model continued to be sold with a 2.3 L 4-cylinder engine F23A RA6(2WD) & RA7(4WD), however, the a 3.0 L VTEC V6 engine J30A (from the first generation, producing now 210 hp (157 kW
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
)) was available with RA8(2WD) & RA9(4WD). The 2000 Odyssey was the first Honda to receive a 5-speed automatic transmission (with the 3.0L engine). All the second generation gearboxes also featured another first – a tiptronic-like manual mode, known as "Honda S-matic", in which a gearbox remains to be a classic Honda's hydro-automat, but the driver is able to manage the shifting moment (if electronically allowed) with the selector's '+' & '-' positions. The interior was completely new. The old automatic column shifter was moved to the centre console. Digital climate controls replaced the old manual controls, and were situated near the audio system controls. Woodgrain trim was standard on all models, while in V6-L models leather was standard. The interior configuration was also changed (second and third row), and the spare wheel was moved to a new position beneath the third row. With L and Absolute versions, an additional third-row heater was added. The sunroof was no longer available.
A sporty 'Absolute' version with all the chassis for the first time has appeared. This co-Mugen tuned version differs by the modified suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
of the European-like car's behavior, 17-inch wheels and some exterior/interior changes.
In January 2003, the Odyssey was given a mild restyle. It received new, larger Honda emblems for the front and rear, clear-lens tail-lights (replacing amber), and a larger front 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 of the total in 2000.
Third generation (RB1-RB2 chassis) (2003–2008)
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 5-door body style, with a much sleeker, lower, and more car-like appearance. For the first time cruise-control appeared on the JDM Odyssey. The 4WD version has received the new DPS system. The seat folding mechanism was changed again. The height of the new Odyssey was lower than ever – designed with multi-level parking in mind, particularly for Japan. The new Odyssey came with the Honda K24A i-VTEC engine, a 2.4 L unit producing 160 hp (119 kW); this was the same engine used in the CR-VHonda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a compact suv, now called crossover, manufactured since 1995 by Honda. It was loosely derived from the Honda Civic to satisfy a public demand for a sport-utility vehicle from Honda. There are discrepancies as to what "CR-V" stands for, with Honda sources in different markets...
and Accord. A 4WD version (RB2) came only with an automatic transmission, while the 2WD version came only with a continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
, except Absolute. The V6 engine was dropped completely. Instead, a 200 hp (149 kW) forced variant of the K24A engine was adopted for the sporty Absolute version (190 hp (142 kW) with 4WD), which was only equipped with an automatic transmission – both the 2WD & 4WD variants. Moreover, this new engine had the same fuel consumption as the old 2.2 engine. All this resulted in the new Odyssey becoming a sales success. In Australia, the Odyssey achieved its best-ever sales year in 2005, and outsold the Toyota Tarago
Toyota Tarago
The Toyota Tarago is a people mover developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It has been the most popular people mover for 3 decades now and continues to be the highest seller in Australia....
for the first time.
Fourth generation (RB3-RB4 chassis) (2008–present)
The sales for the fourth generation of the Odyssey in the JDM market started October 17, 2008. Honda will create the 2009 and 2010 JDM Odyssey on the same platform as the 2008, keeping many of the 5 door body style and a four cylinder engine.Reception
At its debut, the Odyssey won the Japan Car of the Year Award (Special Category) and the RJC New Car of the Year Award. By September 1997, the Odyssey had sold more than 300,000 units, becoming Honda’s fastest-selling new car and breaking the Civic’s record. The Odyssey was WheelsWheels magazine
Wheels is an Australian automotive magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. The publication is well-renowned by Australian car enthusiasts...
magazine's Car of the Year
Car of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
for 1995. At the Odyssey's European launch, where it was marketed as the Shuttle, British ex-Grand Prix
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
driver Jonathan Palmer
Jonathan Palmer
Dr. Jonathan Charles Palmer is an entrepreneur and former racing driver from England. Educated at Brighton College, he won the 1981 British Formula Three Championship and the 1983 European Formula Two Championship. He participated in 87 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 25, 1983...
described its handling as equal of any "executive saloon".