Honda Odyssey 2004 News

Honda Australia is working around the clock to replace 600,000 potentially faulty airbags.

Honda's Odyssey people mover is changing into something like it was a few years ago -- a more bus-like vehicle instead of an overblown wagon as it is now. And the new model, due next year gains a seat taking the pew tally to eight. The new Odyssey lobs in February 2014 and marks the 20th anniversary of Honda's entry into the so called "mum-bus" segment. New Odyssey features a 2.4 litre engine and CVT from Honda's Earth Dreams Technology series that have both been completely redesigned and reengineered. Fuel economy has been improved to a reasonable 7.6 litres per 100 km -- a fuel saving of over 14 per cent. New Odyssey is bigger on the outside  than its predecessor and its exterior styling is totally new featuring one-touch power sliding doors (on selected models only), daytime running lights and wide-angle reversing camera. Odyssey will be available as either a seven or eight seater for the first time ever. It features a state-of-the-art audio system and several new advanced technologies to ensure peace of mind. Pricing and further specifications will be released closer to the launch date.

The original was launched here in 1994 and helped establish the company's credentials in the mini-van people mover market.However, by the third generation, the people mover also morphed into a more stylish interpretation of a family carrier with better, car-like dynamics.The newest fourth-generation Odyssey is an evolution of that car and does not mess with the proven formula.However, prices have risen sharply by $4700 and $4200 for the two model lineup partly because of exchange rates and also the lift in specification.The Odyssey opener now starts at $43,990 but still remains competitive against the Chrysler Grand Voyager, Toyota Tarago and VW Caravelle.The Hyundai iMax, Kia Carnival and Citroen Picasso undercut it.For the extra money, the Odyssey gets a more powerful 2.4-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic, better safety, visibility.The safety gear extends to six airbags and Honda's version of electronic stability control.All passengers get three-point seatbelts in all seven seats and active front seat headrests.Height and reach adjustable steering and double wishbone suspension improve function and driveability.At 4810mm long, the newcomer is 30mm longer yet sits on the same 2830mm wheelbase of the old car.By comparison a Ford Territory is 4856mm long.Front and rear tracks remains the same at 1560mm.Visually the Odyssey continues the low-lean look, which also contributes to a low centre of gravity.The car's low floor is made possible by the design and layout of the fuel tank, rear suspension, exhaust and other components.With an overall height of 1545mm, the cabin is 5mm lower but passenger room has been improved, particularly for third-row occupants.Honda has spent a lot of time making access easier to the back.The C-pillar has also been made 40mm thinner for easy access to the third row.When not in use, the third row stows flat into the floor.Comfort in the second row has been improved with the belt anchor built into the pillar, 20mm greater head clearance and bigger centre armrest.The second row also has a one-action lever to tilt them and slide the seats forward 320mm.The rear hatch is now wider and thinner to improve luggage space.In its five-seater configuration the Odyssey has 708 litres of luggage space and 259 litres with seven-seats in use.Inside, the car's V-shape seating layout gives all passengers a clear view forward by positioning the second and third rows closer to the centre of the car.Like the previous model the driver has a panoramic view of the road.Honda has slimmed down the A-pillars by 30 per cent without affecting the car's strength by using ultra high-strength steel.High-strength steel and more sound deadening have also helped reduce cabin noise.Electric power steering is also standard.Power remains the proven 2.4-litre i-VTEC four cylinder but it gets an extra 14kW while torque remains the same. It will run on 91RON. SpecsPrice: $43,990 and $49,990 (Luxury)Body: five-door wagonEngine: 2.4-litre four cylinder i-VTEC front wheel drivePower: 132kW at 6500 revsTorque: 218Nm at 4500 revsTransmission: Five-speed automaticFuel economy: 8.9 litres/100km (combined), 12.1 litres/100km (city), 7.1 litres/100km (highway)Co2 emissions: 212 g/km 

Sales soared and Toyota went all the way with a chisel-nosed Tarago that was the class act of the field.Every big brand had some sort of people mover for drivers with more than four in the family. Some called them, unkindly, Catholic vans.But they were mostly just converted delivery vans with three rows of seats, built to a price and with little concern for safety, comfort or equipment. A head-on crash meant the driver's legs would be first on the scene.People movers have never really recovered from the backlash against those evil originals, and the rise and rise of four-wheel-drives has also made life tough.Some people just don't want to be seen in a boring, boxy people mover, even if the newest of the breed are morphing into crossover cars that do more with less.The latest Mitsubishi Grandis and the Honda Odyssey point to the future. They're shorter and smoother but still pack lots of positions and choices into the cabin.They could spark a revival, particularly if petrol prices put real pressure on hulking seven-seat four-wheel-drives, but the current sales figures don't suggest that will happen soon.Kia sold 461 of its class-leading Carnivals in July to take its year-to-date total to 3199, but that was nearly half the total number of people movers, only 8579 going on to Australian roads in the first seven months. In contrast, big sixes totalled 103,677.People movers still fill a role, particularly if you really need to carry a lot of people for more than a sprint to the shops.Most carry seven in reasonable comfort. Among the official people movers, only the Volkswagen Kombi is rated as a nine-seater. The pricey Toyota Tarago and VW Caravelle seat eight.Still, people movers have come a long way on safety, comfort, refinement and equipment, and the benchmark Honda Odyssey is set for a huge sales rise very soon.A PEOPLE mover is no longer a box on wheels, nor is it an embarrassment to its occupants.The new Ford Territory is hot, and happily carries seven people if fitted with the rear seat. A Holden Crewman combines work-and-play duties, and the Toyota Kluger is a seven-seat family van disguised as an all-wheel-drive.Families want a vehicle that sits between traditional passenger car and hulking bush basher, and carmakers are rushing to fill the void.In coming years we can expect a rush of crossover vehicles that will blur the lines between traditional market segments.The Territory is already doing the job of an old-fashioned Falcon, albeit one dressed up in a macho body with a high-rider seating position, a classy finish and plenty of equipment and versatility. Luggage space is tight with the third row of seats up, and access to those seats could be easier, but it is a winner with families.The Crewman, the Cross8 in particular, is aimed at part-time parents who want family wheels with a bit of excitement. The upright back seat isn't all that comfortable, but the person making the buying decision – and using a Crewman for work – will be sitting up front.1. Honda OdysseyLowdown: Attractive body and Honda quality boosted by a top-value price.Verdict: The smooth new Honda shows how people movers should be done.Plus: Refined, classy, good looking.Minus: Not a huge amount of space.Rating: 18/20THE newest member of the Honda family is more quality stuff from the company that gave us the pace-setting Accord Euro. It comes with only seven seats, but that's no real handicap because the 2.4-litre engine has 118kW of power and impressive response. Letdowns are suspension that thumps over bumps, child-seat anchor points in the ceiling block the rear view, and loss of the V6. But to cap the action and really rattle its rivals, prices open at $38,790 and the fully loaded luxury model is $45,290.2. Chrysler VoyagerLowdown: The incredible hulk of the people-mover class is the one to buy if you have a big family and equally large budget.Verdict: An American "minivan" that's great for heavyweight hauling.Plus: Roomy and versatile, with V6 power.Minus: Costly, and not the best right-hand-drive conversion.Rating: 17/20THE American carmaker says this is the Rolls-Royce of people movers. There's space for seven with innovative roll-out rear seats and armrests in the front. The 3.3-litre V6 is punchy, if a little thirsty. Also available in a long-wheelbase model and all-wheel-drive. Prices start at $53,490 (SE model), step up to $59,090 for the long-wheelbase machine and go all the way to $78,590 for the fully loaded four-wheel-drive.3. Holden ZafiraLowdown: The innovative Holden was developed in Europe for three-row family work and Opel's original has been smartly tweaked for Australian sales.Verdict: Not the biggest of the bunch, but a good drive for smaller families.Plus: A good drive with impressive quality.Minus: Poor space in the tail, second-row bench has to slide forward for access to back seats.Rating: 16/20THE Zafira is close in concept to the now-dead Mitsubishi Nimbus, with a compact body that has Tardis-style third-row seating. It has excellent suspension tuning and good punch from its 2.2-litre four. The price is pretty nice, too, at $32,890, and the TV commercial with a youngster sketching on a baby is one of our favourites.MITSUBISHI GRANDISRating: 16/20Price: $43,990Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderSMOOTH lines, nicely built and well equipped, but hit hard when the Odyssey arrived. Definitely worth a look for those dollars.MAZDA MPVRating: 15/20Price: $50,665Engine: 3.0-litre V6THE multi-purpose vehicle has been left behind by the zoom-zoom models in the Mazda family. Quality is impressive and it drives nicely, but few people seem to want a Mazda people mover.TOYOTA AVENSISRating: 15/20Price: $43,100Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderNICE to drive with good access for kids in back, but minimal luggage space with third row up. Too costly for what it is, and shows Toyota doesn't really care about people movers in 2004.TOYOTA TARAGORating: 15/20Price: from $52,460Engine: 2.4-litre fourTHE faded former champion. Still has a great name. Desperately needs a V6 engine to justify prices that go up to $72,620.VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLERating: 15/20Price: From $59,990Engine: 2.8-litre V6BOTH Volkswagens are in a run-out situation, with no turbodiesels left. The new turbodiesel T5 could be the pick for long-distance families.HYUNDAI TRAJETRating: 15/20Price: From $32,990Engine: 2.7-litre V6ONE of the newer models in the Hyundai family, and punchy with its V6 motivation. The price is good but it shapes as a big-box deal for people who are more worried about practicality than quality.VOLKSWAGEN KOMBIRating: 14/20Price: $39,990Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinderTHE Kombi has a great name and drives better than you'd expect, with austere but quality finishing. Not as flashy as some.KIA CARNIVALRating: 14/20Price: $29,990Engine: 2.5-litre V6THE easy sales leader but doing it on value. Is much like its Hyundai twin but with a little more equipment and a price that makes it a real winner.MERCEDES-BENZ VITOArriving early next yearPrice: TBAEngines: TBATHE Vito people mover will be available in two models, with the upmarket version getting leather seats and all the fruit. Worth a look.