Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey Overview

The Honda Odyssey is Honda’s premium mid-size 7-seater MPV. Fully imported from Japan as a CBU unit, the now fifth generation Honda Odyssey was first unveiled in Malaysia back in 2013. The most recent facelift was introduced in 2018 featuring a number of styling and equipment updates.

The exterior changes to the facelifted Honda Odyssey are fairly subtle and most of the major changes occurs underneath. Most notably, the updated MPV now comes with Honda’s high tech safety feature in the form of Honda Sensing.

The 2.4 L EXV is the sole variant on offer and is priced from RM 249,393 (OTR without insurance). The Honda Odyssey offers a unique proposition that sits in between the more affordable MPVs like the Nissan Serena S Hybrid and the more luxurious Toyota Vellfire full-size MPV. Other alternative includes the likes of the Kia Grand Carnival, or 7-seater SUVs like the Mazda CX-8 and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace if you can make do without the sliding doors.

Honda Odyssey Design

Compared to the low riding and aggressive looking fourth-generation Honda Odyssey, the exterior of the fifth-generation Honda Odyssey is relatively more subdued. The facelifted version retains the exterior look of the original fifth generation MPV with minor cosmetic changes. The Chrome grille that houses the Honda badge is now thicker and with a darker tint. Right underneath it, a quad horizontal chrome slats now replaces the old three slats design.

It is also sporting a new front bumper with fake lower side intakes housing a new slim horizontal LED fog light. The LED projector headlight remains the same as the old model along with a thin horizontal chrome trim extending from the edge of the headlights across the entire side of the car before terminating at the D-pillar with a distinctive kink. More chrome touches can now also be found on the lower air intake, splitter and the side skirt.

Unlike the first four generations of the Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation Honda Odyssey introduces sliding doors for the first time. And the dual power sliding door design greatly enhances accessibility to the car especially to the third-row seats.

The facelifted Honda Odyssey now sits on a new 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with 215/55 profile tyres. The thin chrome strip running across the side of the car along with the subtle body lines masks the conventional boxy shape of an MPV.

It is business as usual at the rear with minimal chrome touches, sporting an overall more understated look compared to the likes of the Toyota Alphard. And unlike the Nissan Serena S Hybrid’s split tail gate, the single piece design limits rear access in tight spaces.

Honda Odyssey Dimension

The facelifted Honda Odyssey retains its original dimension with a ground clearance of 150 mm and weighing in at 1,860 kg. In terms of outright size, it came off second-best to the behemoth Toyota Vellfire.

Honda Odyssey Interior

Much has been retained on the inside for the facelifted Honda Odyssey Interior, but this time doing away with the old-fashioned brown wood trims on the dashboard and the centre console.

Good quality soft touch material is used extensively on the dashboard and the centre console, accented by a new darker black wood trim. Driver gets the same leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel with an analog instrument cluster with multi-info display.

A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is flanked by two air vents on the centre console, positioned right above the electrostatic touch climate control system. Gear lever is positioned up high in the centre console leaving ample space around the central tunnel area. Underneath the footwell, you will find three pedals, the third one being a foot operated parking brake.

Black leather upholstery comes as standard with powered seats for the front row. The second row is fitted with a manually adjustable premium leather captain cradle seats with ottoman, featuring a wider and more comfortable headrests. When not in use, the retractable third row seats can be folded down, freeing up more cargo space.

Honda Odyssey Features

Equipements include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Hands-Free Telephone function, HDMI ports, USB ports and connected to a 6-speaker audio system. A dual-zone automatic climate control is available up front and a single zone control at the rear.

The driver seat is 8-way power adjustable while the front passenger seat is now 4-way power adjustable replacing the old manually adjustable one. Dual power sliding doors slide open automatically to make alighting from the car effortless but sadly the tailgate is not power operated. Modern convenient features like Smart Entry and Push Start Button, ECON button, cruise control and Auto Dim Rear View Mirror also come as standard.

Safety comes courtesy of the Honda Sensing, making the Honda Odyssey the third vehicle in Honda’s line up to be fitted with Honda’s Advance Driver Assistance System (ADAS) after the Honda Accord and the Honda CR-V.  Using a series of radars and camera onboard, the system offers safety features like Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Also available are 6 airbags, Multi-view Camera System, Smart Parking Assist System, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, Hill Start Assist, LED Active Cornering Lights (ACL), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), ABS with EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Security alarm with immobiliser.

Honda Odyssey Driving Performance

Honda Odyssey Engine

The Honda Odyssey is powered by Honda’s familiar Earth Dream Technology 2.4 litre 4-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine, the same power unit from the ninth generation Honda Accord. It produces 175 PS at 6200 RPM and 225 NM of torque from 4000 RPM. The proven Honda’s 2.4 L engine is refined, reliable and offers smooth and linear power delivery.

However, the naturally aspirated 2.4 L K24W4 series engine has been around since 2013 and Honda has been slowly phasing out the large displacement engine in favor of the new downsized turbocharged VTEC engine like the one found in the new tenth-generation Honda Accord. The Honda Odyssey is the last of its kind in Honda’s line up still featuring the old engine.

Honda Odyssey Transmission

Power is sent to the front wheels via a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters. Power delivery is smooth and refined without the annoying CVT whine, thanks partly to a much-improved sound insulation and NVH levels.

Honda Odyssey Ride Comfort

The Honda Odyssey rides on a MacPherson Strut up front and a torsion beam system at the rear. Compared to other MPVs on the market, the Honda Odyssey rides lower and has a much lower centre of gravity. That translate to a greater high speed and cornering stability.

The ride is supple when dealing with bump and road imperfection. NVH level is much improved compared to the model it replaces.   

Honda Odyssey Conclusion

As of now, the Honda Odyssey remains to be Honda’s only answer to the more premium MPVs like the Toyota Vellfire and the Toyota Alphard in Malaysia. Like a true David versus Goliath, the Honda Odyssey is proven to be a more sensible and cheaper alternative to the more expensive Japanese counterparts. It certainly drives better than most MPVs and offers a practical alternative to the luxury premium MPV. Though lacking in features and space, it more than makes up for it with an advanced safety feature and a luxurious interior.