Honda Odyssey

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Honda Odyssey

Manufacturer:	Honda
Production:	1995-present
Class:	Minivan
Similar:	Chevrolet Uplander Dodge Caravan Kia Sedona Mazda MPV Nissan Quest Toyota Sienna

First generation

Also called:	Isuzu Oasis Honda Shuttle
Production:	1995-1998
Engine:	2.3L 150 hp I4
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	111.40 in.
Length:	187.60 in.
Width:	70.60 in.
Height:	64.60 in.
Related:	Acura CL Acura TL Acura Vigor Honda Accord Isuzu Aska

Second generation (North America)

Also called:	Honda Lagreat (JDM)
Production:	1999-2004
Engine:	3.0 L V6 3.5 L V6
Transmission:	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	118.10 in.
Length:	201.20 in.
Width:	75.60 in.
Height:	68.50 in.
Related:	Acura CL Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot

Third generation (North America)

Production:	2005-present
Engine:	3.5 L V6
Wheelbase:	118.10 in.
Length:	201.00 in.
Width:	77.10 in.
Height:	68.80 in.
Related:	Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan / large MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 1995.

1 North American Market
2 Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and International Market
3 Price
4 External links

[edit] North American Market

[edit] First generation (1995-1998)

The Odyssey was introduced in 1995 as a compact minivan with four swing-open doors as on most sedans rather than the conventional sliding door design. The basic vehicle was shared between the Japanese and North American markets. The Odyssey was also the first minivan to have a flat-folding third row seat. Built on the Accord platform and using a 4-cylinder engine like the Accord's, many critics thought the interior was too small for a minivan, and the engine underpowered despite an engine size increase in 1998. Consumers agreed and the first generation Odyssey was not a sales success.

The first generation Odyssey came in two trim levels LX and upscale EX. The LX could fit seven with two front buckets, a three-seat middle bench, and a 2-seat third row bench. The EX came with two second row captain's chairs.

The Odyssey was rebadged as the Isuzu Oasis, which is now discontinued. This unusual sharing of vehicles resulted from a lack of SUVs in Honda's lineup. Isuzu got from Honda the Odyssey and renamed it the Oasis. Honda got from Isuzu the Rodeo and renamed it the Passport. Acura got the Trooper and renamed it the SLX. The Odyssey and Oasis were used in New York City as taxi cabs.

The Odyssey was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1995.

[edit] Second generation (1999-2004)

The American Odyssey was sold under the name Honda Lagreat in Japan from 1998 to 2004, with the smaller Japanese Odyssey continuing in Japan and numerous export markets. The American van was the first Japanese minivan to adopt the size and layout of the similar Dodge Caravan. It had class-leading power, good acceleration, and outstanding safety.

The 2002 Odyssey was Automobile Magazine's 2002 Best Minivan.

[edit] Problems

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The 4-speed automatic transmission in 1999 to 2001 models and the 5-speed automatic in 2002 to 2004 models had very serious problems with transmission reliability which have not been solved. Honda has extended the transmission warranty on the 1999 through 2001 models to 100,000 miles. As of November 2006, there is a pending class action lawsuit that could extend coverage to 93 months or 109,000 miles, not nearly enough in time or mileage considering how many vehicles have had multiple transmission breakdowns. The 2002-2004 5 speed units could suffer failure of one gear due to lack of lubrication so there was a recall to route oil to this gear. This oil jet recall for some 5-speed automatic transmissions did not address or solve the main cause of breakdown. As in the similar 5 speed transmissions of the Acura TL, Acura CL and MDX, failure of the transmission's third clutch pack, blockage of internal transmission fluid flow by large amounts of clutch debris, and other issues have continued to cause transmission failures even after the oil jet recall. Other problems have included road noise, sticking manual sliding doors, malfunctioning power sliding doors, fuel vapor system problems, easily chipped paint, easily scratched interior plastic, easily dented thin exterior sheet metal, non working rear power windows, steering wheel blocking the speedometer, EGR valve failure, EGR system clogging, power steering wiring breakage, and early failure of the center high mounted stop light bulb. Before 2004, the 2nd generation vans suffered from selling prices above manufacturer sticker price and highly variable experience in sales. Price reductions were used to clear out the 2004 models in view of the changes for 2005. Dealer service remains also highly variable. The manufacturer claims that only Honda brand antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid are satisfactory. Honda-only fluid raises costs to the buyer and increases revenue for the dealer and manufacturer while decreasing choice for the buyer.

[edit] Third generation (2005-present)

The North American market Odyssey was redesigned and released as a 2005 model. Production moved from Alliston, Ontario, Canada, to Lincoln, Alabama. It continued on the global light truck platform remaining different from the Japanese domestic market Odyssey. It retained the basic chassis with front strut suspension and multi-link rear suspension from the previous model and was only marginally larger, heavier and slower in acceleration. It continued with a 3.5 L V6 engine. EX-L and Touring models have i-VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management however most drivers' city gas mileage is significantly lower than EPA estimates. The 2005 model added a Lazy Susan storage bin in the floor where the spare tire used to be in the previous model, eight passenger seating with limited availability, and a 60/40 fold flat seat (like the Kia Sedona's).

Pax run flat tires are the only tire available on the higher priced Touring model and can run 125 miles when flat, but limited availability, rapid wear, high cost of repair and replacement for Pax tires have raised questions about their overall value. A set of 4 tires and wheels can cost $1200. For 4 snow tires and wheels, $1600. Mounting for one tire can cost $60. Few tire stores and not all Honda stores can mount Pax tires. No other tire is available for the Touring.

Prices for highly equipped models increased greatly over the 2nd generation vans. The 2006 Touring with GPS navigation and entertainment may sell for over $40,000. By late 2006, increased supply in the minivan marketplace had lowered average selling prices.

[edit] Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and International Market

[edit] First Generation (1995-1999)

The first generation JDM Odyssey is the same as the North American version.

[edit] Second Generation (2000-2004)

In 2000, a new, larger "second generation" Odyssey appeared in Japan and Australia. However, this new Odyssey was actually a major upgrade of the first generation Odyssey, and not a completely new model. As a result, its overall shape and appearance were similar to the first generation Odyssey. Still, it was 85 mm longer and 10 mm wider than the previous model. The base model continued with a 2.3 L 4-cylinder engine, but the most exciting addition was an optional 3.0 L VTEC V6 engine producing 201 hp (154 kW). The 2000 Odyssey was the first Honda to receive a 5-speed automatic transmission, which also featured another first - a manual shift (semi-automatic) mode. The interior was completely new. The old automatic column shifter was moved to a unique central position on the dash. Digital climate controls replaced the old manual controls, and were situated below the audio system controls. Luxurious woodgrain trim appeared on all models, while V6-L models received leather for the first time. In January 2003, the Odyssey received a mild restyle. It received new, larger Honda emblems for the front and rear, clear-lens taillights (replacing amber), and a larger grille with 4 chrome strips instead of 3. Pricing was reduced by US$2,000 (US$24,490) for the 4-cylinder, and US$4,000 for the V6 (US$30,490). In the Australian market, the new Odyssey proved more popular than its predecessor, at least initially. However, in 2002, sales hit an all-time low, and in 2003, sales of only 649 units were almost one-third that of 2000.

[edit] Third generation (2004-present)

The third generation Japanese-built Odyssey was the first full redesign of the Odyssey since its introduction in 1995. Going on sale in Japan in late 2003, and in Australia and many other countries in 2004, it continued with a 4-door body style, with a much sleeker, lower, and more car-like appearance. The new Odyssey came with the Honda K24 engine, a 2.4 L unit producing 158 hp (118 kW); this is the same engine used in the CR-V and Accord. Curiously, the V6 engine was dropped completely. However, this has not stopped the new Odyssey from becoming a sales success. In Australia, the Odyssey achieved its best-ever sales year in 2005, and has outsold the Toyota Tarago for the first time.