Honda Odyssey safer, but more expensive

The Honda Odyssey has received a comprehensive upgrade for the 2021 Model Year, adding extra safety tech and comfort and convenience features that have pushed up the price by more than $5000 at the entry level.

The upgrade is significant on a few fronts, indicating that Honda is sticking with the people-mover as it rationalises its Australian range down to just a few key models.

It is also cutting dealer numbers and, from July 1, 2021, shifting to a fixed-price method of selling in which the factory controls pricing and dealers simply act as agents for the car-maker.

Notably, Honda has also increased pricing for other key models in recent months, such as the 2021 Honda CR-V mid-size SUV and the Honda Civic small hatch and sedan range.

For the Honda Odyssey, the MY21 update sees the two-variant range now kick off from $44,250 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Odyssey Vi L7 – a rise of $5110 – while the Odyssey Vi LX7 starts from $51,150 plus ORCs (+$2410).

Both variants embrace the brand’s new nomenclature to signal the seven-seat capacity and naturally-aspirated powertrain – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (129kW/225Nm) – but there are no mechanical changes brought with MY21.

The base-grade Odyssey is also no longer an eight-seater, but does gain new features as standard, among them the ‘Honda Sensing’ active safety/driver assist technology suite.

This safety pack comprises forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation and adaptive cruise control.

A kick-sensing (gesture control) powered tailgate is also new, as is an 8.0-inch infotainment display with the audio system upgraded to incorporate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto advanced smartphone integration.

These features are also standard for the 2021 Honda Odyssey VTi LX 7.

Other enhancements across the range include leather upholstery and second-row captain’s chairs, two ISOFIX child seat anchorages, repositioned child restraint anchor points, one-touch power-operating sliding rear door on each side, keyless entry/start, LED headlights, a blind spot information system and rear cross traffic alert.

A mild facelift for the 2021 Honda Odyssey consists of redesigned headlights/daytime running lights, sequential indicators front and rear, revised grille, bonnet and bumpers, restyled wheels and one new colour, Obsidian Blue pearlescent, joining the three carry-over colours (Platinum White pearlescent, Super Platinum metallic and Premium Twinkle Black pearlescent).

Inside, the Odyssey has picked up a new 7.0-inch information display in the instrument cluster and a redesigned leather-bound steering wheel.

Honda has also refined noise suppression inside the Odyssey with thicker glass and wheel resonators.

Security is improved with the introduction of Reservation Lock, which locks the vehicle automatically, provided the driver or passenger presses the lock button on a door handle prior to closing the doors. There’s no need to wait for the doors to close before locking the vehicle.

Standard equipment in the flagship variant that’s not available in the base model includes a sunroof, fold-in door mirrors, LED active cornering lights, rear LED puddle lights, gesture control for the sliding doors, three-zone climate control, third row floor vents, auto-up power window function for all side doors, privacy glass, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, eight-way power adjustment with two-position memory for the driver, and four-way power adjustment for the front passenger’s seat.

“Odyssey has been the undisputed leader in the people-mover private market for nine consecutive years,” said Robert Thorp, general manager of product, customer and communications at Honda Australia.

“When it came time to purchase a new vehicle to transport their family, since 2012 more private buyers have chosen the Honda Odyssey than any other people-mover.

“With the introduction of the updated 2021 Year Model, the Odyssey range now offers more comfort, convenience and innovative technology features than ever before – it is a first-class people-mover designed to suit the needs of family car buyers.”

How much does the 2021 Honda Odyssey cost?
Odyssey Vi L7 – $44,250 (+$5110)
Odyssey Vi LX7 – $51,150 (+$2410)
* Prices exclude on-road costs