Honda Odyssey

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1995–present
Class	Minivan
Body style	5-door minivan

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan manufactured by Japanese 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.

First generation (RA1-RA5 chassis) (1995–1999)

First generation (JDM model)

Production	1994–1999
Assembly	Sayama, Japan
Layout	FF layout F4 layout
Engine	2.2L I4 2.3L I4 VTEC 3.0L 200 hp (149 kW) VTEC V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 2WD-FF/4WD
Related	Acura CL Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Avancier

1998–2000 Honda Odyssey (Australia)

The first generation Japanese domestic market Odyssey was similar but not completely the same as the North American 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.

Second generation (RA6-RA9 chassis) (1999–2003)

Second generation (JDM model)

Production	1999–2003
Assembly	Sayama, Japan Guangzhou, China
Layout	FF layout F4 layout
Engine	2.3L I4 3.0L 210 hp (157 kW) VTEC V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 2WD-FF/4WD
Related	Acura CL Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot

In the late 1999, a new, larger "second generation" Odyssey appeared in Japan 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 (0.4 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.

Third generation (RB1-RB2 chassis) (2003–2008)

Third generation (JDM model)

Production	2003–2008
Assembly	Sayama, Japan Guangzhou, China
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Engine	2.4L 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) or 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic with 4WD CVT with 2WD-FF
Wheelbase	111.4 in (2,830 mm)
Length	2004–05: 188.2 in (4,780 mm)
Width	2004–05: 72.0 in (1,829 mm) 2006–08: 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	61.0 in (1,549 mm)
Related	Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot Honda Elysion

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-V 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.

2007 Odyssey interior

Fourth generation (RB3-RB4 chassis) (2008–present)

Fourth generation (JDM model)

Also called	Guangzhou-Honda Odyssey
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Sayama, Japan Guangzhou, China
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine	2.4 L K24A8 DOHC i-VTEC I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,830 mm (111.4 in)
Length	4,780 mm (188.2 in)
Width	1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1,550 mm (61.0 in)

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.

2009–2011 Honda Odyssey (Australia)

2008 Odyssey interior

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 Wheels 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".

• Issue of Nov 2003 of Car and Driver HK