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Honda Odyssey History
Honda Odyssey
When Honda decided to enter the minivan segment in the 1990s, long established players including Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and Toyota ruled the roost. At that time, minivans were still hot, a market that has since ceded popularity to crossovers (CUV) which are now the family favorite. And yet the Honda Odyssey remains popular in a shrinking market segment, ready to take on perennial rivals Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Sienna.
Although the Chrysler and Dodge models remain the top sellers in the segment, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna contend for top honors as best quality minivans year in and year out.
Introduced in 1995, the first generation Honda Odyssey was based on the Accord platform and resembled a high profile station wagon rather than a minivan. Passenger doors swung out and a tepid four cylinder engine powered the vehicle. Still, the first generation Odyssey was received with critical acclaim although everyone knew that the encore had to be vastly improved in order to ensure the model's continued success.
Beginning with the 1999 model year, Honda fielded its second generation Odyssey, a vehicle equipped with segment mandatory sliding doors and a much more powerful 3.5L V6 engine. Styling mimicked that of segment leader Chrysler - the inventor of the minivan - which enabled Honda to more directly compete with industry rivals.
A folding third row seat, an Odyssey staple, returned with the second generation model which also included some of the best entertainment systems in its segment. A four speed automatic transmission eventually gave way to a five speed automatic, while production was moved from Japan to Canada and later to Alabama. The third generation model, released in 2005 will soon be replaced by the fourth generation Odyssey with talk of introducing a low-emissions diesel engine option.
Ask most any Odyssey owner why they like their minivan and you'll discover comments such as, "love the dual sliding doors" or "I appreciate the technological features including the rear view camera system and tri-zone climate climate" or "safety is important to me - stability assist, three row side curtain airbags and a solid body structure keeps us safe."
Among other important attributes of the Honda Odyssey is its 244 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, seating room for seven occupants, rear entertainment system, satellite linked navigation system and ultra low emissions vehicle rating, the latter being a Honda attribute that is friendly to the environment.
Popular accessories allow Honda Odyssey owners to customize their rides and include cargo organizers, electronic accessories, cross bars, roof baskets, nose mask, moon roof visor, custom floor mats, dashboard wood trim kit, seat covers for the second or third row, you name it. There are many ways to customize your Odyssey, a classic minivan with good looks, a powerful engine, leading safety features and Honda reliability.
When Honda decided to enter the minivan segment in the 1990s, long established players including Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and Toyota ruled the roost. At that time, minivans were still hot, a market that has since ceded popularity to crossovers (CUV) which are now the family favorite. And yet the Honda Odyssey remains popular in a shrinking market segment, ready to take on perennial rivals Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Sienna.
Although the Chrysler and Dodge models remain the top sellers in the segment, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna contend for top honors as best quality minivans year in and year out.
Introduced in 1995, the first generation Honda Odyssey was based on the Accord platform and resembled a high profile station wagon rather than a minivan. Passenger doors swung out and a tepid four cylinder engine powered the vehicle. Still, the first generation Odyssey was received with critical acclaim although everyone knew that the encore had to be vastly improved in order to ensure the model's continued success.
Beginning with the 1999 model year, Honda fielded its second generation Odyssey, a vehicle equipped with segment mandatory sliding doors and a much more powerful 3.5L V6 engine. Styling mimicked that of segment leader Chrysler - the inventor of the minivan - which enabled Honda to more directly compete with industry rivals.
A folding third row seat, an Odyssey staple, returned with the second generation model which also included some of the best entertainment systems in its segment. A four speed automatic transmission eventually gave way to a five speed automatic, while production was moved from Japan to Canada and later to Alabama. The third generation model, released in 2005 will soon be replaced by the fourth generation Odyssey with talk of introducing a low-emissions diesel engine option.
Ask most any Odyssey owner why they like their minivan and you'll discover comments such as, "love the dual sliding doors" or "I appreciate the technological features including the rear view camera system and tri-zone climate climate" or "safety is important to me - stability assist, three row side curtain airbags and a solid body structure keeps us safe."
Among other important attributes of the Honda Odyssey is its 244 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, seating room for seven occupants, rear entertainment system, satellite linked navigation system and ultra low emissions vehicle rating, the latter being a Honda attribute that is friendly to the environment.
Popular accessories allow Honda Odyssey owners to customize their rides and include cargo organizers, electronic accessories, cross bars, roof baskets, nose mask, moon roof visor, custom floor mats, dashboard wood trim kit, seat covers for the second or third row, you name it. There are many ways to customize your Odyssey, a classic minivan with good looks, a powerful engine, leading safety features and Honda reliability.
