Honda boosts value for Odyssey

HONDA has sharpened the driveaway pricing for its Odyssey people mover, shaving around $2000 off the manufacturer’s list price.

The base model Odyssey now kicks off from $37,990 drive-away, which is slightly more than the previous list price of $37,100. However, that price did not include on-road costs which can typically add around $2000 to the final cost of the vehicle.

The flagship Luxury variant now starts from $45,990 drive-away, marking a similar saving from the list price of $44,920.

Standard features on the base variant include a multi-function touch-screen with sat-nav and live traffic updates, a reversing camera, DVD player, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, 60:40 split-fold second seating row and a removable third row.

Stepping up to the top-spec Luxury variant adds multi-zone climate control, a sportier front bumper, side skirts and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Both variants are powered by Honda’s 132kW/218Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched with a standard five-speed automatic transmission.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the Odyssey appealed to buyers because of its car-like handling and stylish exterior design.

“The Odyssey has been a solid Honda success story, maintaining strong sales and earning many loyal fans since its introduction in 1994,” he said. “Now is a great time for customers to secure one at a very competitive price.”Honda launched the current generation Odyssey in Australia in 2009 and it has been a consistent seller for the Japanese brand locally. But it’s taken a hit this year.

The company has sold 674 Odysseys in the first eight months of this year compared to 1173 units in the same period last year, marking a 42.5 per cent drop against an overall segment dip of 16.4 per cent.

Despite the slowing sales, it remains one of the top-selling people movers on the local market, trailing only the Kia Carnival with 1865 sales and the Hyundai iMax on 998 units for the year.

An all-new model is said to be at least two years away, and reports have suggested it could follow the styling of the Jade concept that was unveiled earlier this year at the Shanghai motor show.

Driveaway pricing for the Odyssey is available now at local Honda dealers.