Honda reveals all-new JDM Odyssey
Click above to view a massive, high-res gallery of the JDM Honda Odyssey
Honda's JDM Odyssey – not to be confused with the U.S.-market people mover that shares the same name – has been hailed as one of the best handling minivans in Japan. For 2009, Honda has taken everything good about the outgoing third-generation model and made it better, beginning with a sleeker exterior that pulls a few cues from the Honda FCX Clarity.
Underneath the new, slightly stretched sheet metal lies a reworked chassis sporting double wishbones at all four corners, optional all-wheel-drive and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC powerplant putting out 171 hp in standard guise and 203 hp in the range-topping Absolute model.
The interior is adorned with all the techy tidbits that made previous generations a hit with family-toting geeks, including a sci-fi inspired dash and a new multi-positioned camera system that allows drivers to get a bird's eye view of the vehicle. Similar to the Fit sold in the States, the seating can be arranged in a multitude of ways, including folding flat to create something resembling a bed. We'd like to scam one out of Honda during our next trip to Japan so we can post on the move and don't have to worry about heading back to our hotel – which is traditionally only slightly smaller than the new Odyssey.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Xcountryflyer 8:04PM (10/16/2008)
I think this JDM Odyssey gives a good indication of some of the styling of the future US Odyssey in 2010 in terms of the front-end and interior.
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Bobby 3:13AM (10/17/2008)
It's indeed a good indication, but it also kind of confuses as this new grill was used on the new City, but not the Jazz, Civic nor Accord.
Anyway, here's a very detail preview on the new JDM Honda Odyssey.
New Honda Odyssey
http://wheelsweekly.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-honda-odyssey-unveiled-detailed.html"
apearlman 8:09PM (10/16/2008)
Dear Honda,
Pleeeeeeeeease?
Love,
The U.S.
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Darrell 8:28PM (10/16/2008)
The Stream would be a much better fit, it wouldn't get in the way of the Pilot or Odyssey
apearlman 8:41PM (10/16/2008)
Okay, I'll take a Stream just as happily.
I just want a 3-row people-mover that gets more than 17/23mpg. Honda can do it. Hell, anyone can do it. With these gas prices, I'm betting that whoever does it first will delight more than a few disgruntled former SUV owners.
Red 8:45PM (10/16/2008)
@ Darrell,
As the owner of a Stream 2.0, I can assure you, that is not true.
Bring the JDM Ody here.
Domestic 6.0 10:08PM (10/16/2008)
Best looking minivan from honda ever
why not the LS2LS7? 10:53PM (10/16/2008)
Didn't we have this already? The original Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis?
catgirlshyla 12:56AM (10/17/2008)
Bippu.
BoneHeadOtto 9:13AM (10/17/2008)
"I just want a 3-row people-mover that gets more than 17/23mpg."
your answer is the Mazda 5. it gets something like 22/28 and you can get it with a manual if you want to do even better. Plus it can be had for around $20k. So go buy one. :)
apearlman 11:15PM (10/17/2008)
@BoneHeadOtto: The Mazda5 comes very close, but there are two problems:
- With an automatic, mileage is 21/27. When an automatic Accord with more interior space and a more powerful engine gets 21/30, I wonder why the Mazda5 can't do better. An automatic Malibu can do 22/33!
- The closest Mazda dealer is an hour from my house, which would make any servicing during the warrantee period a major pain. Dealers for most other major brands are within 20 minutes.
BoneHeadOtto 8:59PM (10/18/2008)
yeah i dont know what is up with the new EPA ratings but if you go to fueleconomy.gov you will see that users report the Malibu does no where near that and the accord gets the exact same mpgs as the mazda 5 (users report an average of 25.6mpg for both).
Also the Mazda 5 has an older motor, seating for 6, and more room. So that is why it gets marginally worse mpgs. The accord being a sedan is inherently more aerodynamic. It is also more expensive and doesnt suit your needs. Nothing seating 6 really even comes close to the Mazda 5 for economy, looks and value. I just wish they offered a MazdaSpeed5!!! Id ditch my WRX for that.
Reggie 8:10PM (10/16/2008)
That's the best looking mini-van I've ever seen. Most of the people on this page tend to lean American for no apparent reason, but that is an awesome looking mini-van, inside and out.
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Sandeep 8:12PM (10/16/2008)
That is a great looking minivan, inside and out. The size and engine options also bring back the days of the first-gen minivans, with 4cyls and efficient space usage. If only it were offered here...
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BoneHeadOtto 9:13AM (10/17/2008)
i would love to have this "mini-van" as an option in the US but what good is a mini-van without sliding doors. With sliding doors you dont have to worry about kids dinging others cars, you can load things easier (approach from front or rear, larger opening), and the doors can be made automatic. Personally more cars should have sliding doors But they are a requirement for a minivan. That is why the first oddessy failed.
Sandeep 10:41AM (10/17/2008)
Is that why the Mazda5 hasn't sold in the US?
Wait..
BoneHeadOtto 10:17PM (10/18/2008)
interestingly right now the Mazda 5 is one of the only models that was seeing a big increase in purchases. Gas goes up and these mini-mini-vans sell better. They are great cars, too bad most americans have never heard of them.
Sandeep 9:37PM (10/18/2008)
Let me append my previous post, because this obviously wasn't blatant enough:
/sarcasm
BoneHeadOtto 2:38PM (10/19/2008)
yeah in order for sarcasm to work you have to state the oposite of something that is obviously true. When i read your post it sounds like you either think the Mazda 5 has sold well (which it hasnt until recently) or that the mazda 5 does not have sliding doors, which it does. Your comment was more confusing than sarcastic.
After reading your post again it sounds like you think the mazda5 has four traditional doors. It has sliding just like other mini-vans and unlike the 1st gen oddessy.
George 9:02PM (10/16/2008)
We have a 2007 Odyssey I would trade it in a heart beat for the new one.
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