Honda Odyssey Future Models

wonderbread · August 2004

go back to auto deadline, more info on interior

danno · August 2004

- all new 5 - speed auto tranny
- regular fuel recommended
- Rear suspension is now on a sub-frame - perfect for isolation and noise reduction
- bigger fuel tank
- up to 1 year between oil changes
- 8th seat with Lazy Susan standard on EX, EX-L

The EX-L sure looks sweet right now.

player4 · August 2004

fbear · August 2004

player4- thanks!

andrew- NAV screen is 8 inches

anyone- has anyone found any mention of mirrors- Is there a power fold-in button? Our 2000 is tight enough getting into the garage. DW is not going to like losing another 1+inches of clearance.it being

gjay1170 · August 2004

Wow! I can't believe it's out, the specs! I'm so excited! There are no comparisons to the '05 Ody according to the new info. I printed out the specs, and noticed differences in the '05 between the LX-EX and EL-L--touring on curb weight, head room, cargo room, passenger volume and interior volume. Is there less room for the upper models because the seats are spaced out more and the leather is cushier and headroom is less? The milage is better for the last two models too. I pre-ordered the Ex-L, but the touring looks even better to me. I really want the sensors and the power adjustable pedals. Do you think I could have them factory installed in the EX-L? Buy the way, are there more pictures on this van?

hmomex · August 2004

Here is the link from a local newspaper

"A new Odyssey: 2005 vehicle raises the bar for minivans"

http://www.dailyhome.com/news/2004/dh-talladegacounty-0901-ghadle- y-4h31v1039.htm

danno · August 2004

- all new 5 - speed auto tranny
- regular fuel recommended
- Rear suspension is now on a sub-frame - perfect for isolation and noise reduction
- bigger fuel tank
- up to 1 year between oil changes
- 8th seat with Lazy Susan standard on EX, EX-L

The EX-L sure looks sweet right now.

khoa · August 2004

Looks like the 2nd row slides forward to allow 3rd row access. Where are the belts for 2nd row, does it allows 2 car seats on 2nd row w/ a bench setting without having one of the belt getting in the way?

beagle1 · August 2004

Sorry to see that Honda still does not offer an 8 way power passenger seat with lumbar support.Does anybody know if this can be done after market and still maintain the original appearance of the seat?

khoa · August 2004

Looks like the 2nd row slides forward to allow 3rd row access. Where are the belts for 2nd row, does it allows 2 car seats on 2nd row w/ a bench setting without having one of the belt getting in the way?

ace1000 · August 2004

According to an article on the new Odyssey in the 9/1 issue of The Daily Home Online, the PAX tire costs $150 to $160, more if the support rim needs to be replaced.

eyeblind · August 2004

Odyssey review at thecarconnection.com

robertsmx · August 2004

Upper level trims have reduced headroom due to moonroof.

jracine · August 2004

How can the 8th seat fit in the space taken by the Lazy susan?

ace1000 · August 2004

One dealer told me that you remove the lazy susan to make room for the 8th seat. I guess you then have to find some place to put the lazy susan.

samnoe · August 2004

What are you talking about... They do offer 8-way power drivers seat with lumbar support from EX and up.

One minor thing I see over the Sienna: Illuminated controls for power windows and door locks, and cruise!

I still think Honda should offer a 'luxury option package' for EX and EX-L models with the following: Power liftgate; MID (multi information display); 360-watt premium audio system; Auto dimming mirrors.

Seems that the 2nd row bucket seats will not slide together anymore to create a bench.

And yes, no more cassette player.

And 36.7 turning radius will compete with Sienna.

Now let's wait for car magazines, and especially CR (which I'm sure will give credit for Honda - I know from experience :-)

doug889 · September 2004

See pictures at honda.com.

hmomex · September 2004

http://www.hondacars.com/info/prototypes/2005_odyssey.asp?bhcp=1

blackexv6 · September 2004

Did I read the features correctly? EX-L comes standard with the VCM? Is the standard engine available with leather seats? I am nervous about this technology plus the MPG's are not much better.

andrewtran71 · September 2004

andrew- NAV screen is 8 inches

Just beautiful---8 Inch NAV w/600 Voice Commands!

That's it. I'm sold:-)

aggie76 · September 2004

I didn't see any mention of memory seats/mirrors for driver - did anyone else see it listed? That would put this ahead of a Sienna in my spouses book for sure. We are Mutt and Jeff in height and it frustrates her to reset everything after I use her vehicle on weekends to run errands. Luckily both our cars now have them but a few years ago it was a constant irritation for her on other cars and now has become a "must have" in her mind.

mochisushi · September 2004

Memory seats standard on the Touring Edition only.

robertsmx · September 2004

What makes you nervous about it? Honda has been offering VCM for a year in the Japanese market, and in Civic Hybrid (albeit in a different way) for couple of years. It is just another feature utilizing the flexibility that VTEC offers. Actually, half of the VCM technique is used in nearly every engine we see.

hmomex · September 2004

Lot and lot of photos, even a video of the Ody 05... It's just great. I'm debating if we should got the EX-L or the Touring.

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=261903

dudleyr · September 2004

Looks like a nice package, but I will probably pass. We want the RES, and it looks like that will be about $5,000 more than a Sienna with the DVD. About $26,500 for the Sienna and looks like around $31,500 or more for the Odyssey as you have to buy the EX-L. Not interested in adding that feature to the LX - especially since the LX does not get very good mileage, and the base Sienna is about $22,500 right now.

Also the plus one seat looks tiny (Sienna has 3 equel sized seats accros the middle that fit adults comfortably) and the Sienna has 10 more cubic ft of interior space with 5 of those behind the third row seat.

Nice package if it is featured how you want, and I hope they sell a ton of them to bring Sienna prices down. I wanted the Honda, as I have one now, but not in the cards I guess.

aggie76 · September 2004

Thanks, that will make her very happy!

poisson · September 2004

Here are the official Honda Pictures. Very nice.

http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2059?view=p&page=1

stickguy · September 2004

if the Ody doesn't have enough cargo room, you really need to pack lighter ;-)

dan165 · September 2004

New Oddy looks like a KIA Sorento a bit.

I guess it's better otherwise.

beagle1 · September 2004

Thanks for the reply Samnoe but Iwas asking about the front passenger seat that does not have this upgrade.My question was whether or not an after market 8 way power and lumbar support could be done without changing the appearance of the passenger seat?

robertsmx · September 2004

From a test-drive impressions mentioned earlier

The current Odyssey design, though (by Japanese model standards) an automotive dinosaur at 6 years, is maintaining a brisk selling pace, right up to the production cutoff. How briskly? May of 2004 was the strongest selling month in history for the Odyssey, and it outsold the brand new 2004 Sienna in May, June, and July of this year as well. And according to the blur of powerpoint slides, it maintains the best demographics in the marketplace. In other words, the current Odyssey boasts the youngest, most educated, and highest earning buyers in the market.

And the new Odyssey improves upon that! Impressive.

andrewtran71 · September 2004

Outside looks very good.
Front view looks very good, especially big chromes.
Rear View looks great, great chrome too.
Side view looks very good, love the chrome.
I like that two-tone on the dash.

And of course, beautiful 8" NAV and entire front dash/instrument panel. Man all the buttons on this Ody looks great.

Overall, I am very impressed.

The only two things I would change is to make it look even more like an SUV with a woodtrim/leather gated shifter like the Acura or Lexus, but my wife thinks I'm nuts for thinking such a thing.

I noticed they listed as accessories:

1) PlusOne Console
2) Wood Trim Kit
3) Fenderwell Trim
4) 3rd Row Sunshades
5) Cassette Player

I'll probably get the Silver Touring NAV+RES w/Grey Interior and add these 5 accessories, if they can perfectly fit the cassette player into that coin box/cup holder slot.

I figure they offer the PlusOne Console so you can use it on the Touring Model as well?
3)

stickguy · September 2004

were particularly strong in the last few months because they were blowing them out. Dealers were advertising at +/- 3K off MSRP, and there were some real fire sale lease deals.

In some ways, it will hurt the new one, becuase lots of potential buyers were taken out of the market when they got an '04.

Plus, with 160,000 units initially (up to 180K per one article), combined with a like amount of Siennas available, make it likely that this launch won't be a repeat of fall '98, since Honda only made about 60K the first year. The supply/demand balance should be much better, along with the alternatives.

But, this does look nice, and they seem to have optioned it just like I wanted, except for no XM in the EX (rats). Much better than the SIenna, which couldn't be configured the way we wanted, even with the phantom Toyota option packages.

amc731 · September 2004

Karen,

Can we hope that edmunds will release it's info any time soon? Thanks!

lok888 · September 2004

The sales were strong during the past months. I am not sure it will hurt the 2005 model. But I hope this will shorten the waiting list a bit for next couple months.

heywood1 · September 2004

So then Sienna owners are old, stupid and poor?

Karen_S · September 2004

The last I heard it will go live sometime later today.

andrewtran71 · September 2004

What are those buttons on the very lower right of the steering wheel (below even the cruise control)?

robertsmx · September 2004

No, that would be an extremist approach. It is about relativity. If the statement were true, that would make for older buyer, less educated and less wealthy compared to Odyssey's.

hmomex · September 2004

Looks like does are to control the computer that is included on the touring model only.

robertsmx · September 2004

Im not sure, but the buttons to the right (below the cruise control switches) may be MID (Multi-Information Display) control buttons.

heywood1 · September 2004

Well, you imply that the Ody MUST be the best choice because the youngest, most educated, and most highly paid people are buy it. I don't follow that logic.

I don't understand why there are bragging rights in having the 'youngest' buyers, other than the obvious fact that younger buyers have a longer time horizon to buy more vehicles.

(Ody buyers had better be the most highly paid, because their 'Touring' model is gonna cost 'em MSRP+++).

heywood1 · September 2004

Why is it with all of the '05 Odyssey's improvements and technological advancements, Honda still hasn't figured out how to color match a steering wheel to the upholstery? Some habits die hard I guess....

robertsmx · September 2004

Well, you imply that the Ody MUST be the best choice because the youngest, most educated, and most highly paid people are buy it. I don't follow that logic

Quoting something is not the same as implying something. Apparently, there has been a study that suggests what I quoted. And I wonder if demographics were a part of any vehicles design/marketing strategy. What do you think?

The quote suggests that an average (current Odyssey) buyer is younger, is more educated and has higher income. This does not involve a MUST but it is an average. Take it for what it is.

heywood1 · September 2004

Excuse me, the QUOTE implies it.
And younger, smarter, richer compared to WHAT? Sienna buyers, minivan buyers, or car buyers in general? Certainly demographics matter to the marketing & design department of the manufacturer, but I'm unclear about the bragging rights part, as it's not like they're trying to sell ad time during a TV show. Maybe just a way to get Odyssey buyers to feel better about themselves and their purchase?

dudleyr · September 2004

I prefer the black steering wheel.

robertsmx · September 2004

Or, it could be about bringing out the facts. Whatever works, right? Honda has been worried with average age of its typical buyer at 44 years (Acura is at 43) as of 2003. Surprisingly, it is below the industry average so these studies are part of marketing strategy, not only for bragging rights, but also to define the future.

Toyota has been worried about it too. Average age of Toyota buyer was 47 (Lexus is at 53), which is apparently of concern. Buick leads all at 62, BTW.

Speaking of pricing

Sienna XLE MSRP is $29,055. To this, add XLE Package #5 ($2,575) and XLE Leather Interior Upgrade ($1,995) to have
Leather interior (Standard in Odyssey Touring)
Stability Control (Standard in all trims of Odyssey)
Front Seat Side Air Bags (Standard in all trims of Odyssey)
Rear Disc Brakes
Curtain Airbags for all three rows (Standard in all trims of Odyssey)

There we go, MSRP + Destination price of over $34K.

Apparently, most buyers will stop at EX-L in Odyssey that has virtually everything. Touring adds a stiffer suspension, 18-inch wheels and a few more gadgetry for those who want more flavor.

I will take darker shade of steering wheel. My 1998 Accord has two tone interior, the top of the dash is darker shade which is what the steering wheel matches to. And that is how the new Odyssey seems to be done as well.

Darker shade is less prone to getting dirty/show wear. Even with the dark shade in my Accord, I can see some upon close inspection. It would be worse if the steering wheel were wrapped with lighter shade of leather (to match the seats/lower dash).

ateixeira · September 2004

Demographics can be skewed to mean whatever you want them to, just like any statistic.

You might say Ody owners are the smartest, youngest, and most successful.

An opponent might say they're immature snobs.

Income level is often higher for vehicles that carry a relatively higher price in the class they compete in. In other words, rich people buy expensive cars.

The age thing is interesting because the automaker with the youngest demographics, to be envied by all other manufacturers, is...drum roll please.

Kia.

-juice

filod · September 2004

I like the general look, not a very radical changed from the old.

The shifting gear is nice (some may not like it though)

I hope this will not turn into a thread of Sienna vs Odyssey owners

Each and every one of us will have different choices. It does not make one or the other less intelligent

Competition to me is good for us the consumers. Let Honda and Toyota keep out-improving each other every year - we will have the best choices

heywood1 · September 2004

Still, I'd be interested to know to what the superlatives are compared, just Sienna, minivans, or all car sales. It shouldn't be a surprise that as the average age of the population increases, so does the average age of a car buyer.

It's just my opinion about the black dash top and steering wheel. I think color-matched (like a Lexus) is more luxurious looking. Black makes the Odyssey's dash & wheel look not much different from a Civic's. Black is no less prone to getting dirty. If an owner is the type that rarely/never cleans, the dirt is certainly less noticeable.

Honda Odyssey Future Models

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