The current generation Honda Odyssey MPV has been the least appreciated luxury MPV with Malaysian buyers since its launch in 2015. In the past 5 years it has not had the best sales performance. Even the 2018 facelift model which was priced at RM258,000 for a lukewarm response from Malaysian luxury MPV buyers.
Officially imported into Malaysia by Honda Malaysia and sold in all their showrooms, this luxury 3-row MPV was priced at launch at RM228,000 in 2015. It came with a 2.3L engine mated to a CVT gearbox and full suite of safety features and strong after sales and warranty. Still, Malaysians preferred to buy a used/reconditioned Toyota Alphard instead at the same asking price which had no warranty and after sales. This we find hard to understand.
Yes, the Toyota Alphard has more headroom, but how many Malaysians have basketball players in their family?
Anyway, now comes news of a face-lifted Odyssey coming to the global market.
Most notable on this latest Odyssey is the new front look, that is now more aggressive and purposeful, compared to the friendlier face of old. This is thanks to a new front grille and bumper, that borrows cues from its SUV stable-mates, in addition to the restyled LED headlights and fog lights.
As this is just a facelift, the rest of the Odyssey remains largely the same. The side profile and the rear remains untouched from the pre-facelift version. The only difference would be the new style alloy wheels and some black trim under the rear windows.
That being said, this Japanese people mover has always been the more handsome MPV of the bunch, with its lowered stance and floating roof design that gives it a more sleek look compared to its other rivals. The rear too bears similarities to the American-spec Honda Accord.
On the inside, this refreshed minivan adds a new rear seat reminder system as standard on all models. A feature that is integrated to the pioneering CabinWatch and CabinTalk child viewing and rear seat communication system. In addition to that, the refreshed Odyssey will now feature second row seats that fold nearly flat, to make them easier to remove when loading large items.
And yes, the Odyssey’s built in vacuum-cleaner, the HondaVAC remains.
As for safety, Honda also upgraded it’s Honda Sensing safety suite to now include Low-Speed Follow, Pedestrian Emergency Braking, and Traffic Sign Recognition to aide drivers of the Odyssey on the road.
However, before any Malaysian dad gets excited, it is worth noting that this American Honda Odyssey is totally different to the one sold here. That being said though, if this American-spec Japanese minivan were to make it here, it would certainly be a more distinct car than the Alphard alternative sold by Honda Malaysia today.
More information can be found
Going on sale August 3, the refreshed for 2021 Honda Odyssey receives numerous updates to styling, along with upgraded technology and safety features to further strengthen its position as the ultimate fun family vehicle.
A restyled grille and front bumper fascia, revised front lighting and new black trim under the rear window give Odyssey a fresh exterior look. Inside, Odyssey offers upgrades to functionality and luxury: The second-row seats on all Odyssey trims now fold nearly flat, making them easier to remove while enhancing cargo-carrying options, and expanding on the flexibility of Odyssey’s exclusive Magic Slide™ second-row seats.
Odyssey EX and higher trim levels also get restyled seats and new tri-color floor mats, while EX-L and above receive and power lumbar support for the front passenger seat and contrast seat stitching. Odyssey Touring and Elite also get new piano black trim on the dash, doors and front door handles, while Elite receives additional luxury touches.
A new Rear Seat Reminder system is standard and can also be integrated with the available CabinWatch® child viewing system, an industry first. For the first time, Odysseys equipped with CabinTalk® and CabinWatch® can use both systems simultaneously, and the upgrade will be retroactively applied to similarly-equipped 2018-2020 model Odysseys through an over-the-air update.
Also, important upgrades to Honda Sensing® add Low-Speed Follow, Pedestrian Emergency Braking, and Traffic Sign Recognition to the newly standard suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies.
