- Honda unveils its 2011 Odyssey minivan.
- The new Odyssey will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with three-mode variable cylinder management.
- 2011 Odyssey goes on sale in early fall.
TORRANCE, California — In a surprising U-turn away from Toyota's approach to the minivan market, Honda said on Thursday that it will not offer a four-cylinder engine in the redesigned 2011 Odyssey minivan. Honda began to give out a few details and a first look at the production Odyssey, saying it will arrive in dealerships in early fall.
"We will provide only a six-cylinder powertrain to provide customers with the power and performance they demand," said Honda in a Web chat on Thursday. "It's important to note that our six-cylinder Touring Elite model achieves an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway."
The 2011 Toyota Sienna is offered with a 187-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that returns an estimated 19 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway.
Honda said the '11 Odyssey will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with three-mode variable cylinder management. Those were the only powertrain specifications released thus far. Honda said it did not have fuel economy estimates at this point for the 2011 model.
The redesigned Odyssey is lower and wider to make it roomier and more aerodynamic, said Honda. The exterior looks a bit edgier, almost along the lines of a European wagon. The automaker said it is "reaching out to a demanding new customer in Generation Y" with this iteration of its minivan.
New cabin features include a "media tray" designed to hold cell phones and MP3 players and a "cool box" or large center storage compartment that holds six 12-ounce cans and keeps them cold. The second row can hold three child safety seats. Cup-holder count for the Odyssey, which was designed, developed and engineered in the U.S., stands at 15.
Honda said it was not ready to release formal pricing on the Odyssey, but said: we will certainly aim to maintain [the] general price positioning of the current Odyssey."
The base 2010 Odyssey LX starts at $27,585, including a $780 destination charge.
Inside Line says: No Toyota copycat here. Honda marches to the beat of its own drum with the 2011 Odyssey. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
mik55521 says:
05:34 PM, 08/07/2010
I think it looks pretty good. I like the lines and the curves compared to the current model.
Side by side, it definitely has more modern appeal to it compared to the 2010 model. I hope it drives as good as it looks!
The only complaint I have it's the way the back looks! I think it's too generic and does not have enough flare like the rest of the van. Well, I guess you can't always have it all!
And, 28 MPG highway for a big van like this! I hope that's true!
markrt06 says:
02:20 AM, 07/04/2010
Incredibly Awkward Odyssey to say the least. New Chrysler vans for 11 will be big Challengers from the info I have. New ext & int features/upgrades & that excellent Pentastar 3.6 will give the hideous Honda & horrid faced Toyota a serious slap in the face. You don't have to take my word for it, just wait until Fall & decide.
coletrickle says:
06:29 AM, 06/24/2010
Holy cow!! This is so ugly. Both inside and out. Way too much going on in that cockpit. The steering wheel looks ridiculous and the center stack is completely overwrought.
Toyota Sienna team is stepping up production now that they've seen this debacle from Honda.
chemeng says:
08:13 AM, 06/21/2010
Let me be quick and to the point. Ugly. Especially in the C through D pillar area. Bad news.
dagmar3 says:
07:08 AM, 06/21/2010
The huge panel gaps and rail for the sliding doors combine to make this look like it was home-built from many different vehicles. It will look much better in dark blue or black. The Toyota Sienna has a much better interior and the Sienna Limited's leather interio remains the gold standard of the class. But Honda and Toyota's tepid redesigns leave them vulnerable to the upcoming Kia Sedona remake. Kia, the minivan market is wide open. Show us what you got.
twmark says:
07:02 PM, 06/20/2010
I agree the car is ugly! I own a 2004 Odyssey and love the car. I think the current model is very attractive but this 2011 model is just ugly. The mileage also stinks and would think that after 7 years, they could improve the mileage a bit.
xoquixxoqafxo says:
01:57 PM, 06/20/2010
@ carman123
Maybe you just have really bad taste... Most people are finding this design quite attractive. OK the zigzag window sill in the back looks awkward, but its different and stylish in a way that the current Nissan Quest isnt... also has a high quality interior and Honda reliability and resale value that the Nissan Quest or Chrylser Vans could never have. The Sienna was the only van that really gave the Honda a run for its money... and the current Sienna is bland and boring, has cheap interior quality and some pretty stupid commercials on top of it... Remember this is minivans we are talking about, stop being so jugemental of Honda for trying to be different with the next generation Odyssey especially since everyone said the old one had bland styling. This van will also be the best driving minivan on the market, and that will be what seals the deal with this van.
carl0ver says:
03:45 PM, 06/19/2010
the back reminds me of a pre-facelift 7th gen accord, you know the sedans with the frumpy looking wide tail lights. honda quickly stuck on the triangle tails for the facelift. with that said, why go back a style such as that on this van? what a shame. i hpe the next civic doesnt disappoint
gforce2002 says:
12:47 PM, 06/19/2010
Can someone please pass the eye bleach?
Paraphrasing some comments I've read on this um, vehicle:
"Sure, the last 1/4 of the van looks tacked on from another vehicle, other parts are a confused, incohesive jumble, and the spectacularly visible sliding door rail was better hidden on Chrysler vans since 1995, but hey other than that it looks awesome."
No, it doesn't.
tbone85 says:
09:46 AM, 06/19/2010
Dang, someone just compared this design to the A-word? Ouch. I like some of the design (especially the front 3/4s), but the side area behind the rear doors is very awkward, and the roof spoiler looks tacky.