Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1995-present
Body and chassis
Class	Minivan
Layout	FF layout

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

North American Market

First generation
Overview
Also called	Isuzu Oasis Honda Shuttle
Production	1995-1998
Body and chassis
Related	Acura CL Acura TL Acura Vigor Honda Accord Isuzu Aska
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L 150 hp I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.4 in.
Length	187.6 in.
Width	70.6 in.
Height	64.6 in.

Facelifted 1st gen Honda Odyssey

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.

Second generation (1999-2004)

Second generation (North America)
Overview
Also called	Honda Lagreat (JDM)
Production	1999-2004
Assembly	Alliston, Ontario Lincoln, Alabama
Body and chassis
Related	Acura CL Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L V6 3.5 L V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.1 in.
Length	201.2 in.
Width	75.6 in.
Height	68.5 in.

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 an outstanding safety rating for the time. However transmission technology failed to keep pace with engine power. 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. The manufacturer reacted to problems of the 4 speed in 1999-2001 models by extending the warranty on the transmission to 7 years or 100,000 miles. A class action settlement extends coverage to 109,000 miles and 93 months for some '99-01 Odysseys. 1 The 5 speed transmissions of the Odyssey from 2002-2004, some Accords, some Acura TL's, some Acura CL's and some Acura MDX's suffer frequent failure of the transmission's third clutch pack. This causes large amounts of clutch debris to migrate through the transmission and block flow of transmission fluid causing slipping, poor or no shifts or sudden downshifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear. This problem is not yet solved. There is also another less common and unrelated transmission safety problem. A gear could overheat and break and cause the transmission to lock up suddenly causing risk of a traffic accident. Since this is a safety issue, a recall was started. The oil jet recall added a tube where the transmission fill bolt had been to put oil on the problem gear. The oil jet recall did not address or solve the common cause of breakdown which was the failure of the third clutch pack. The 2002 Odyssey was Automobile Magazine's 2002 Best Minivan.

Third generation (2005-present)

Third generation (North America)
Overview
Production	2005-present
Assembly	Lincoln, Alabama
Body and chassis
Related	Acura MDX Acura TL Acura TSX Honda Accord Honda Pilot
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.1 in.
Length	201.0 in.
Width	77.1 in.
Height	68.8 in.

The North American market Odyssey was redesigned and released as a 2005 model. Production moved from Alliston, Ontario, Canada, to Lincoln, Alabama, USA. 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, slightly heavier and retains class leading acceleration although slower than the second generation. It continued with a 3.5 L V6 engine, and a significantly improved transmission. EX-L and Touring models have i-VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management. Like most vehicles, drivers' city gas mileage is often 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).

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.

Some People forget that the honda odyessy started off as a atv, You sit in and all the controlls where on the strearing wheel <img src="http://d.im.craigslist.org/zB/6U/AyrfkzgPsyFcn9yet8wmPEt48sSe.jpg">

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and International Market

First Generation (1995-1998)

The first generation JDM(Japanese Domestic Market) Odyssey is the same as the North American version.

Second Generation (1999-2004)

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 major 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.

Third generation (2005-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 5-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. 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.

Price

Pricing for 2007 Honda Odyssey:

• LX: $25,345
• EX: $28,395
• EX-L: $30,795
• EX-L with DVD: $32,395
• EX-L with DVD and Navagation: $34,595
• Touring: $36,595
• Touring with Navagation: $38,795

External links

• Official U.S. Site
• YahooAutos-2007 Honda Odyssey
• YahooAutos-2006 Honda Odyssey
• LemonFree 2006 Honda Odyssey Review
• AutomobileMagazine-2005 Honda Odyssey (review)
• In depth Information on the 2005+ Honda Odyssey
• AutoGuideWiki.com