What is it?
Honda Odyssey Concept
What's special about it?
Honda occasionally busts out with a truly crazy concept vehicle worthy of the "concept" moniker. You know, something transparent, powered by rabid squirrels, that also flies.
More often than not, though, Honda uses the "concept" suffix to preview a new production vehicle that will appear at Honda dealers mere months after the auto show. Honda did just that at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show with the Civic Si Concept. Such is the case with the Honda Odyssey Concept, which is — wait for it — a concept for the next-generation Honda Odyssey minivan. And, we must say, it's not a bad-looking thing.
Honda says that it has gone for a lower, more planted stance for this new generation of minivan, the production version of which will go on sale this fall to do battle with the reworked 2011 Toyota Sienna. The concept is a bit lower and 1.4 inches wider than the current production minivan, dimensions that will likely make it to production. It rides on the same 118.1-inch wheelbase as the current Odyssey. Of course, it always helps to make a vehicle look low and sleek on a stand at the auto show if you bolt on ginormous wheels and use manhole covers for brake discs. Those are less likely to make it to your local dealer.
Adding distinction to what is taut-but-spare bodywork is the "lightning bolt" beltline. This feature is intended to provide third-row passengers with a better view out of the vehicle. But it's also intended to be a signature styling feature for Honda's new production minivan.
So what do we know about the 2011 Honda Odyssey, other than that it will look pretty much like this except with smaller wheels and less concept-y headlights? Well, Honda says that it estimates the new model will return 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway. That's a significant improvement from the current Odyssey's 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway, and it also bests the 2011 Toyota Sienna's 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway. Keep in mind, the 2011 Honda figures are estimates and the company hastens to add that it estimates fuel-efficiency for "select models," by way of "enhanced aerodynamics" and "advanced powertrain technologies." Could there be a fuel-economy special model in the future of the 2011 Honda Odyssey?
The concept and the production versions of the 2011 Odyssey have been designed and engineered in the United States (California and Ohio). The production vehicle will be built in Alabama.
Inside Line says: It looks as if Honda will continue to build the best-looking minivan on the market. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
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99civicaddict says:
03:27 PM, 06/01/2010
My 2004 Odyssey has 121,430 miles on it and I have yet to have any problems with the transmission. Just sayin'.
judo4all says:
03:18 PM, 04/06/2010
And perhaps this time Honda will actually put in a transmission that can last past 70,000 miles without a rebuild, recall, or some other sort of modification to keep the tranny going.
bontz says:
03:04 PM, 03/04/2010
6-speed auto trany is probably the reason why Honda can deliver a better anticipated gas millage. But please remember the 2nd gen Odyssey's 5-speed trany which had a huge failure gate due to the bad design of the cooling system. Honda's brand new thing sometimes fails. Work harder please, Honda engineers. I am going to get one and don't disappoint me.
cstiles says:
09:44 AM, 02/15/2010
It's amazing that the same company that designed the hideous Crosstour and Pilot can produce something as clean and stylish as this Odyssey. It actually looks like the big brother of the Stream. I like it. With a 6speed auto, VCM, and coefficient in the neighborhood of .31, Honda just may be able to realistically deliver 19/28 MPG. Kind of wish they would offer a version with a 2.4 or 2.5 liter 4 cylinder (maybe with a turbo?) that could crack 20~22mpg in the city, and 30+mpg highway. Or even a hybrid, although that would push the price tag too high into the $30Ks and $40Ks.
Good job with this new Odyssey! Now hurry up and fix the Crosstour, Pilot, TL, and RL.
bontz says:
02:48 PM, 02/12/2010
Seems not only I was sick of the recent Honda ugly styling. But this new minivan is surely a good one and very likely we are going to get it since our 200k 96 Ody has been giving us unpredictable troubles this past year. Blame the Midwest weather condition made this slow but reliable people mover a bit unreliable in this age.
socalheatz says:
02:43 PM, 02/12/2010
the beltline/window near the rear reminds me of the genesis coupe
hondapilot2004 says:
11:12 AM, 02/12/2010
It looks amazing... but im not sold til i see how it drives... my 2006 Honda Odyssey has the best steering feel of any car ive ever been in.... and ive driven 18 cars. Not to mention itll keep up with a SUV thats pushing hard without even trying
cr_driver says:
04:27 PM, 02/11/2010
Well done, so far cool enough.
chavis10 says:
09:38 AM, 02/11/2010
"It looks as if Honda will continue to build the best-looking minivan on the market. "
Are you serious? The current Odyssey is behind the Sedona and Sienna in terms of styling. The current Odyssey is so boring and boxy that it's not even funny.
zoomzoomn says:
06:53 AM, 02/11/2010
lemiet says: "Finally a design Honda fans can smile about..."
Amen to that! If the production model is even 90% accurate to this show car then job well done. Now, how about fixing the front end of the Pilot and the interior and chassis setup of the Insight.