Honda Odyssey Future Models

bonefishpaul

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't put Chrysler in the same category as Lexus and Acura.

mrblonde49

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't put Chrysler in the same category as Lexus and Acura. <<

Neither would I. And I own a T&C. While Chrysler does have a good level of luxury in the T&C, most shopers won't equate it with the brands that are known as luxury brands, like Lexus & Acura

Though I do like their direction. The 300 is a groundbreaking car that is really creating a buzz.

dako_tian

Carroll Shelby is still alive and still involved in building cars. Maybe he could be interested in building a Cobra Odyssey!?! ;-)

P.S. What kind of automotive website is this that doesn't even have Shelby in the spell checker list?!? For shame!!!!

stickguy

Chrysler might not be Acura or Lexus, but they do sell a loaded to the gills luxo-van. IIRC, most buyers are older couples w/o kids, that just like to have the room, and comfort (sitting up high, big seats) w/o having to drive an SUV.

bshawn

Elysion's shorter length does not mean it does not have enough passenger space or cargo room. They might have done an efficient job of packing stuff into the box.

Whatever does ac00lra mean by Americans need a bigger engine and inflated body. So what Ely only has a 3litre engine, it delivers a powerful 250 HP (~184kW ==> 1HP = 1.35kW).

Given the following feature list, I think Ely is a PERFECT candidate to be the 2005 Odyssey:

250 HP Engine with
-->Active Noise Control for VCM's undersirable intonation
-->Drive By Wire (DBW) throttle system
-->Better fuel economy

8 Passenger seating with multiple seat configurations
Superb interior design with optional sunroofs for all rows
Quiet Interior with new sound insulation
Improved suspension
Optional Real Time 4WD option
Power sliding doors with power lift gate

Safety
--> Vehicle Stability Assist VSA (ABS+Traction+sideslip)
--> Collision Mitigated Braking System (CMS)
--> E-pretensioners to pull seat belts automatically
--> Crash compatible body
--> Optional side curtain airbags

All this with the best exterior design ever (for a minivan)!

Elysion BETTER be the 05 Odyssey.

ac00lra

You'll be surprised to know how many 30 something couples I know with kids these days who want a luxury minivan. And these are people who currently own SUVs. I'm starting to see a downward trend for SUVs. Meaning people are starting to get sick of them. SUV is starting to live up to the word "Stupid Useless Vehicles." :-) It's a trendy thing and now people realized and said "wait a second, so much gas yet has so little room, what am I thinking." With that, when I mentioned the possibility of an Acura minivan, they all drooled. :-) If Acura is reading this forum, I would say bring it on, man. We need it. Acura did so well with the TSX. And they thought they would only sell 15000 TSX per year. Now turns out it almost doubled their projection. They're on a roll wth the latest TSX, TL, and now RL. Let's start flooding Acura with emails requesting a minivan. Hehe.

andrewtran71

All I can say is, if Acura had a minivan, I would buy it, but only if it had plenty of size and goods, not a short, undersized body and engine.

And if Lexus had a minivan, I would probably buy it instead of the Acura minivan because as we all know, Lexus is pure luxury and I'm all about the luxury.

Yeah, we are all convinced there is a market for a luxury minivan. Now if only Acura and Lexus agree.

phankane

Is perfect for my need. Bring it in!

jimjps

I think most of the readers here would prefer an Elysion. I know I would. But Honda is not going to replace the Odyssey in North America with something smaller with a smaller displacement engine. The fact that the Elysion appears superior is relevant to most of the folks on this site, but it is not relevant to Honda in North America.

vcarreras

was introduced Mr. Elliott President of Honda America stated that there was a chance that IT would be the Acura Minivan to come to America.

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/odyssey/

Any ideas on that? Or would it be possible that Honda could have both Long/Short wheelbased vans like the DC vans? That would be a win-win for those of us not needing/wanting the large van. The JDM Odyssey or Elyison would be my choice over the larger Odyssey specs which we have seen.

jchan2

I would buy one. Boost horsepower to 270, with VCM, toss in a Hybrid package that deletes the VCM but adds a Hybrid for $2,995, put in seven seats, two sunroofs, the works, a nice interior, for $35,000 and I'll be at the Acura dealer with the checkbook, loan paperwork and the keys to my Odyssey!

ac00lra

Wow, looks like the idea of an Acura minivan hit the right note for a lot of folks here. I think we should start a grass root campaign now and start spreading the rumors. If enough people come to their Acura dealer and ask about it, it will get up the chain. :-) Very soon, it will be true. Give them 12 months lead time to add 40+ HP to the Elysion. I don't care if it's 3.0L, 3.2L ot 3.5L as long as it has enough power. Add better suspension and more luxury touch. Should be easy and fast enough to do. But then again, damn stubborn Honda/Acura. I want my Acura MSX (as andrew suggest), VSX, or MVX, or something similar. Can't call it ML since it's taken by MB. :-(

jchan2

on price though. If Honda overprices the Acura van (highly unlikely) into the $37,000 range, I'd rather have the MDX instead. Honda should price the Acura MVX/VSX/MSX in the $33,000-$40,000 range, as a step up from the Odyssey.

indy93

This is supposed to be a site devoted to the future 05 ODY.... is there a sudden outbreak of ADD?

andrewtran71

Well, shoot, you know, Honda and Acura are the same company.
Can't we dream a little?
The '05 Ody might just have a twin brother Acura minivan and surprise us all!
I like Toyota a lot. I like Lexus even more. But if I had to choose between an Acura minivan that costs $40K and a Toyota minivan that costs $40, I would choose the Acura every time.

And it would make sense to have an Acura minivan because the Japanese version looks so much like an Acura---woodtrim, nice wheels, etc.

It would be a shame, IMO, to "JUST" give us the "stripped down" version and not even offer us the nice version they have in Japan.

It might not be this year, but like some of us are already thinking, it might be soon.

Do those Acura/Honda people read Edmunds?

andrewtran71

I agree.
I remember Jchan2 said way back that all he wanted was a cloth seat basic Ody. Then he added Navigation. Then he added leather. Now he's saying he would buy a $35K Acura minivan. So yeah, apparently, if Honda made an Acura minivan for $35K, A LOT of people would buy it.
Yeah, instead of buying a Sienna XLE or Limited, people would rather buy an Acura minivan (MSX, VSX, MVX).

Then people would have a TRUE Luxury Minivan, not a "Lexus-Like" or "ACURA-like" minivan, but a TRUE Luxury ACURA minivan.

I would make an Ody LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L+RES, EX-L+NAV, and then instead of a Limited Edition, you have ONE Acura Minivan with everything---DVD RES + NAV + backup Camera + Parking Assist, etc., all for $37K, which is still cheaper than a Sienna Limited w/NAV+DVD.

It would be so hilarious if Acura were to use one of our proposed names:-)

fbear

I think the market for a luxury minivan would be huge.

I think the car makers have the mistaken idea that minivan drivers are strictly family first and style be darned. Minivan drivers are 'Utility' first but that does not mean they would not like to also be pampered.

SUV may have the word 'Utility' in its name, but it is the minivan that is the Utility champ. SUVs do not have the cargo space nor the passenger space. Their is just nothing like the big minivan to swallow up the luggage, the holiday gifts, and every pillow, stuffed animal, blanket and toy the kids want to drag along... not to mention a big cooler filled with drinks and food sitting on the floor in the main cabin.

But again, just because we want the Utility of the minivan does not mean we cannot afford or would not like to have more.

Just don't come out with the Acura minivan 6 months after I buy the 05 Ody.

dudleyr

"big minivan" ?? ; ^ )

dako_tian

It's a trendy thing and now people realized and said "wait a second, so much gas yet has so little room, what am I thinking."

SUVs do not have the cargo space nor the passenger space.

Before anyone quotes cubic feet figures, go look inside, sit in, open the back to revel in the immense cargo space with all three rows of seating up and occupiable!, and then drive a Suburban or Yukon XL. For truly comfortable interior space (compare each and every seating position to that in any minivan), truly useful cargo capacity, and level of amenities, not to mention the ability to handle that loaded condition gracefully; nothing else out there comes close. Even comparing prices, since you can get such great deals on these "domestic" behemoths.

Now, if you are never going to fill the vehicle up like that, will not need the towing capacity, and do not want the 8-to-10 mpg penalty (i'm getting just a hair less than 15 mpg in my 2003 YXL with my lead-foot driving habits), then by all means do not buy one.

But, don't lump it in with those Civic-size-interior SUV-wanna-bes whose true main purpose is ostentatious and highly conspicuous consumption.

jim1462

Automotive News just annouced that Acura is coming out with a second truck. Could this be the minivan we all want?

player4

The 2007 Acura RDX is based on Honda's next generation CR-V platform, the RDX is going to be smaller than the MDX and it features a 2.4 liter i-VTEC four connected by Honda's Integrated Motor Assis hybrid system and six speed manual. This is going to be acuras second truck/SUV. Not the Minivan, about the minivans thing we're all here dreaming of how an Acura minivan would be like but it is not a real thing we are just dreaming, might come true though but that would be in a long time.

lok888

I am sure there is a market for luxury minivan. But it may not as huge as luxury SUV. When you look at the marketplace for the minivan, no other places like the North America continent would need that much. Most European auto markers don't bother in minivan business. There were about 120,000 Sienna built last year. There are about 8-10% of them built. The fully loaded one could cost as much as $42K. And I see little chance that Acura or Lexus will spend time on this even just rebadge one their top of the line minivan. But the sales probably half less of whatever 8-10% are.

neighbor

Some of the workers at the plant have seen the 05 van. The guy I talked to said he really liked it. Some of the workers did not. He said the 05 has the biggest headlights he has ever seen in a vehicle. He said it had an unusual look to it. HE said it had the grill similar to the Pilot. The gear shift is in the dash. Probably similar to the Quest. He said the van seemed bigger. Lot of features but did not go into details. Side windows roll down. They will produce 200 a day starting in August and increase over the next month or so to full production. Sleeker appearance than the 04. From what he said, I think the van will look more like the Quest than the Sienna.

jchan2

built a minivan, they could take it global, as long as that country has the Acura brand. If they build another SUV, it will be limited to the North American market. The van might not sell as well overseas, but it will sell better than a large SUV overseas. (Europe, Asia)

bmt451

http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_0308_news_sketch/

here is the sketch of 2007 acura rdx .

lok888

It is the % of how many Sienna XLE Limited built these days. Sorry for the confusion.

It is up to the auto markers to decide building a luxury minivan if they see there is a market need for a $40K minivan and profit to them.

stickguy

IMO, certainly the Sienna limited, and probably the top-end T&C, qre "luxury" cars, based on creature comforts/goodies/price. The current Ody EX-L probably falls a bit short, but still has plenty of goodies.

Is the real debate about luxury vans, or luxury badges?

rctennis3811

Wow, if there was an Acura minivan, it probably would outdo the TC and Terraza.

dako_tian

Is the real debate about luxury vans, or luxury badges?

If any of them ever think of plopping a Gucci 'G' on these vehicles, or maybe even any the "designer" initials, I'll be in budget trouble. My wife, her sisters, and most of their friends would be automatically impressed with that.

:-(

jimjps

Well, we know now for sure that the Elysion is not the 05 Odyssey as it has alrerady been seen at the factory - see "neighbor" post - and as expected it appears a bit bigger then the 04. This leaves the door open for something Elysion-sized. I would think that an Acura minivan would be the Elysion 3.0. Seems a natural to me.

haljohn

Hi, guys,
check this website out: http://www.honda.co.jp/ODYSSEY/
It still looks like an odyssey rather than a quest. The van looks really cool inside and outside, so does the ads.
Enjoy

dako_tian

Probably, you already know this. But, look carefully and you'll see it has four standard doors like a station wagon or passenger car. This is the descendent of the old (pre-1999) Odyssey that was also imported into the US.

The 1999+ US Odyssey was a custom import into Japan and badged LaGreat there.

gjay1170

My lease ends 8/6/04 for 01 Odyssy. I loved it. I seen the Japanese websites, but is it going to be the same Odyssy in US. I checked the posts and names came up Elyson, Labreat, and maybe something else. The Honda dealer said that the 05 catalog will come out in June or July. But you can't see one or drive one until the fall, and the dealer promises me that I can order one in a month or two and get it by the fall? That would mean I would have to lease my old car month to month. Should I just get the secure 04 model, or should I wait for the 05 new and improved, maybe have a few new bugs car?

Gayle

andrewtran71

Yikes. If the grille looks like the Pilot, we're screwed, IMO:-)
If the shifter looks like the Quest, we're screwed.

I hope the guy you talked to is wrong. Bigger can be good, especially the interior. But if it looks ANYTHING like the Quest, we are truly screwed and so is Honda!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo way it's going to be like the Quest!

It's going to look more similar to the current Ody than the Quest.

Oh, well, we will see.

Still nothing but speculations.

andrewtran71

Those Honda idiots!
That's what I think.
What? They think the MDX is a LARGE SUV and they need a smaller SUV or something? Looks like a toy. An SUV with barely room for 5 that's probably going to cost $30K! Get real.

You know, with the economy going bad and people are still getting laid off and people remaining unemployed, and the gas prices still increasing to $4/gallon and above, and the Bubble Housing Market about to break and send the economy down even further, are the overall automobile sales down?

I guess a lot of people still think the US economy is all peachy and is getting better everyday.
Man, just wait until the Bubble housing market comes crashing down and those $500K houses in California and other states becomes $250K!

But, there's a market for another small TOY SUV from Acura!

Okay, I'll be quiet now:-)

Oh, yeah, sorry if I offended anyone.

lok888

I think we all know the Elysion (in JDM) will not be our next Odyssey. The JDM will also get what we will have for an '05 Odyssey, but in different nameplate. Don't you know that the LaGreat has removed from their auto line-up of their website? This probably the last year for LaGreat in Japan.

I am sure new model will be better. But I am trying to avoid the first year model especially the constant transmission problem for Honda.

You probably need to talk to your dealer about extend your lease for few months which I doubt it. It is unlikely that you will get the '05 model before your lease ends. If the '05 Odyssey arrive in ealy fall, be prepare to pay MSRP and with no lease program.

andrewtran71

My opinion is, since you love the '01 Ody, you will surely love the '04 Ody.
I can't say the same about the '05 Ody. My gut feeling, based on the Honda Elysion, the new Acura RL, and the Honda Accord, is that the '05 Ody may look a lot more aggressive and might turn a lot of people off.
And since it's the first year of the new model, like you said, there will be bugs. With the new VCM engine, there might be bugs.
Then when your new lease ends in 3 years, you will be in a better position to go for the new Ody, if you like the new looks.
That's what I think.

lok888

I think we all know the Elysion (in JDM) will not be our next Odyssey. The JDM will also get what we will have for an '05 Odyssey, but in different nameplate. Don't you know that the LaGreat has removed from their auto line-up of their website? This probably the last year for LaGreat in Japan.

I am sure new model will be better. But I am trying to avoid the first year model especially the constant transmission problem for Honda.

You probably need to talk to your dealer about extend your lease for few months which I doubt it. It is unlikely that you will get the '05 model before your lease ends. If the '05 Odyssey arrive in ealy fall, be prepare to pay MSRP and with no lease program.

stickguy

Looking bigger is not the same as being bigger. Styling can make a vehicle look bigger (or smaller) than it really is. My guess is it will be almost the same size, maybe in inch or 2 different in some dimensions. Frankly, it is more than big enough, especially in width, since it is tough getting some trucks in the garage already without taking off the mirrors.

As to the lease, I personally would wait to see the latest and greatest, but that will likely cost you $$ (if you extend your lease). The current lease deals are way better than what you are likely to get on an '05, and who knows how long the program on the '04s will last (or supply for that matter).

Might be better off trying to get an '04 now. Maybe they will work out a deal to eat the last couple of months of your current lease. IIRC, Honda also is pushing 2 year leases at great rates, which could be a good way to get wheels now, and the new style after prices stabalize and any bugs get worked out.

gjay1170

Thank you lok888, andrewtran71, and stickguy for replying to my message. If the new Odyssey is going to look like the Elysion, I rather not get it. I don't like it. I leased an 01 in August, and might of as well lease/buy an 04 within the next couple months. It would've been great to get a car that no one has yet. You should see the parking lots at the preschool. Odysseys are the majority of minivans in the lot. My friends are loving their Odysseys, and getting a brand new 04 won't be too bad. I would also save $4000 off the MSRP as some of you said. I also heard the the 05 doesn't have Navigation and DVD in the same package from your disscusions, and I would have to get the Navigation, and then DVD afterwards. Maybe in a year or two, the Odyssy will have everything I want in it and I can trade it in. Thanks for all your help.

lok888

giay1170 - You will be better off to get a great deal on '04 Odyssey. I think Honda is running a two or three year lease program on EX (cloth seats) with DVD. It will be the better time to shop for '06 or '07 model when the lease ends. I am not going to spend few thousands more on a new model just want to be the first one to drive. Remember it took about year to see a reasonable to huge discount on Sienna. And Toyota made about 120K units last year. Is Honda going to build the same amount of the '05 Odyssey like the '04 model? 60K+ units for the first production year? Like a half less of Sienna are being built.

It is a bit disappointed to know Elysion is not '05 Odyssey after reading all the goodies about it. And it turns out the Elysion is slightly bigger than the MPV.

neighbor

I am saying it may look like the Quest, not the person I talked to.
1. He said the shifter was in the dash.
2. The headlights were huge, therefore it can't look like the Elysion. Notice the small headlights on the Elysion.
3. The grill is similar to the Pilot. This sounds logical since the Pilot is now being made in the Lincoln Plant.
4. The look appeared sleeker than the 04 model.
5. Seemed to be bigger. Not fact, just what it seemed like to him.
6. Many workers hated the look, but he really liked it.
7. I would take what he said to the bank.

stickguy

Can't see how (or why) Honda would make less than in '04. I believe they produced about 150,000 Odys for '04. Production might start out slower, but will quickly get up to full tilt (assuming they are selling!).

lok888

I am not quite sure how many unit of Odyssey they made per year. I think your number is very close. But it could be more for Sienna this year because the production was halt for few weeks last summer due to the faulty gas tank.

About the '05 Odyssey look, did I saw a picture not long ago here? It is a green Odyssey which similar to the '04 model with less boxy look.

Is the '05 Odyssey begin now or in August? Or those he saw near the plant are for testing or doing commericals, pictures for sales brochure?

stickguy

sales should start in August-Sept. The sightings are from insiders at the plant, but at some point pics of the real thing will have to sneak out onto the "net.

Kirstie_H

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jchan2

When can we get a sales brochure? What will the base price be? Will there be an Acura Elysion?

dako_tian

...reminds me of the story of the blind men all trying to describe an elephant to came upon.

I'm betting that the surmises, partial pictures, extrapolations, WAGs, etc. will turn out to be just about as accurate too! ;-)

shellymeister2

If you guys can search back about 6 weeks, you will discover a small picture of a green Ody. This IS the new Ody!
      The picture has been on the net for months now, yet everyone refuses to believe that this pic could be the '05 Ody because it` is sooooo boring. But as is usual practice for Honda, they are almost always ultra-conservative.
       Where this pic emanated from is a complete mystery, but one of the items clearly visible are the GIANT front headlights.
      The '05 Ody will not look like the Quest or the Japanese market-only vans- it will look like an '04 Ody with a taller front end, a grill similar to the Pilot and GIANT headlights.

     [snoorrrrrre]

ac00lra

Andrew, I sense so much anger from you. Hehe. Let it all out, brother. :-) I don't want to see an angry Odyssey driver on the road. :-D