New Odyssey to get eight-seat option

The larger, better-equipped Honda Odyssey will go on sale in Australia from February (2014).

The all-new model will be offered with the choice of seven- and eight-seat configurations for the first time ever, but will remain powered by a familiar drivetrain arrangement.

This sees a re-engineered version of the 2.4-litre iVTEC four-cylinder engine, now enhanced with Honda’s Earth Dreams eco-friendlier technologies. It will be mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission with no diesel option available.

Honda says the improvements to its familiar four have resulted in a 14 per cent improvement in fuel economy, the combined cycle figure falling to 7.6L/100km. CO2 emissions dip slightly to 178g/km.

Selected models will offer one-touch power sliding doors, daytime running lamps and a new 180-degree wide-angle reversing camera. A revised infotainment system will also be offered, along with several new “advanced technologies” Honda says will “ensure peace of mind”.

“We are really excited to launch the all-new Odyssey next year,” said Honda Australia director, Stephen Collins.

“Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this new model is not just an evolution: it’s a revolution in design, features, safety technology and functionality.

“The Odyssey is one of Honda Australia’s most awarded models. We are confident of continued success with this new model and are looking forward to launching this car to the Australian market,” Collins concluded.

Pricing and full specification detail for the new Odyssey is yet to be announced for the local market, however, we expect only a modest increase in price against the current line-up, which retails from $35,100 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-grade Odyssey to $42,920 (plus ORCs) for the top-spec Odyssey Luxury.

The Odyssey now competes in a segment comprising 13 rivals of which it is the third-best selling. Year-to-date figures show Honda has fallen from favour with buyers down just over 40 per cent to 824 units nationally. That figure is well short of second-place getter Hyundai iMax’s 1184 units and best-selling Kia Carnival’s 2340 units.

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