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Honda's Japanese-market Odyssey hits the sales floor

 
5 2,276 views Oct 21, 2008
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2008 honda jdm odyssey 020

The Japanese version of the Odyssey is lower and sleeker than Honda's U.S. minivan

The Japanese version of the Odyssey is lower and sleeker than Honda's U.S. minivan

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Americans know the Honda Odyssey as a solid-driving and fun minivan, but the Japanese get a vehicle by the same name that's more wagon than van, and even sportier to drive and look at. The newly redesigned version features several enhancements intended to make it feel bigger and more spacious while keeping a slender profile.

For the driver, the feeling of spaciousness is improved by narrower A-pillars that open up the cockpit and offer better visibility of the road. The passengers in the second and third row of seating are aligned along a steep-sided 'V' to give all occupants a view forward through the windscreen, enhancing their sense of the vehicle's size as well.

The powertrain of the new JDM Odyssey centers around a 2.4L DOCH i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT tuned to balance performance with fuel economy. Rated at 17.8mpg (13.2L/100km) combined, the Odyssey isn't precisely frugal, roughly matching the U.S. version, which is powered by a 3.5L V6 good for 244hp (182kW), though the different fuel economy measurement standards may account for the apparent disparity. Honda has taken special pains to reduce weight and improve efficiency of the new drivetrain, and even offers a new 'ECON' mode for more economical driving.

Inside, the Odyssey features several new design elements, including a redesigned instrument cluster in a '3d arrangement' that helps improve ease of recognition. Repositioned controls, redesigned seating cushions and an updated look wrap up the new interior. Space inside grows a bit by moving the passenger seating to form the V layout, and an under-floor storage system for the third-row seats makes better use of the cargo space when stowed.

Honda is considering bringing more of its Japanese-market vehicles to the U.S. as fuel efficiency needs rise and consumer preferences converge with the urban tastes of Japanese buyers. The Odyssey is on the list, especially as Honda has moved focus away from the U.S. version of the Odyssey along with the Pilot to focus its energies on the U.S. Accord and Civic. The Stream wagon is also among the vehicles being considered for U.S. import, itself a somewhat smaller interpretation of the same basic concept as the JDM Odyssey.
2008 Japanese-market Honda Odyssey

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Comments (5)

  1. ma_Mike avatar Mike Posted: 10/21/2008 2:22pm PDT

    I'd respect this van. Infinitely cooler than the so-bland-I-didn't-even-see-it U.S. version. In Japan they even have a tuning aftermarket for these.
     
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  2. ma_Nicolas Rudloff avatar Nicolas Rudloff Posted: 10/21/2008 4:04pm PDT

    your assesing of fuel economy is wrong, the rate is 13.2 KM per liter, not LITER per 100 km. That translates in roughtly 30.5 mpg which is quite good for such a vehicle.
     
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  3. ma_HECTOR avatar HECTOR Posted: 10/21/2008 4:29pm PDT

    That minivan looks faaantastic. I love that purple color. Definitely would get one if I didn't have an embargo against Honda products.

    And Mike, you probably can't see the US Odissey because you were blinded by the bleeping DRLs on the Accord or any other Honda product. May they rot in hell.
     
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  4. ma_james avatar James Martinez Posted: 10/21/2008 7:38pm PDT

    i don't think i'll ever understand your deal with drl's but care to explain anyway?
     
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  5. By  r4 nintendo ds Posted: 2/12/2010 2:14am PST

    It might sell...but like the original U.S. Odyssey, it has large doors that open out instead of slide backward. I think the Honda Stream might sell better here.
     
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