Honda refreshes Odyssey people-mover range

HONDA has given the Odyssey people-mover its second refresh in 2017 with the seven-seat family hauler receiving a number of small upgrades starting from $37,990 for the entry-level VTi.

Prices have also seen a nominal increase, with the VTi now $380 more expensive, while the top-spec VTi-L has jumped in price by $1100 to $47,590.

The main reason for the VTi-L’s price increase is due to the inclusion of the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies, which consists of adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and road departure mitigation.

According to the Japanese car-maker, it is the only vehicle in the people mover segment to include the road departure mitigation system.

The VTi-L also gains a braked towing capacity of 1000kg for added versatility.

Both variants have been given updated exterior looks, with the VTi picking up the ‘aero’ front fascia design previously reserved for the VTi-L, as well as chrome surrounds for the foglights.

The VTi-L gains the latest iteration of Honda’s ‘solid wing face’ exterior design theme, which consists of a new premium aero package with enhanced bumper shaping LED foglights, dark chrome finish on the upper and lower grilles and door handles, revisions for the rear fascia and tailgate, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Two new paint colours have been added to the range, consisting of Cobalt Blue Pearlescent and Platinum White Pearlescent, which replace Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearlescent.

Inside, noise, vibration and harshness levels have been improved, while the VTi-L benefits from new trims on the instrument panel and doors, new engine start/stop button, folding door mirrors and redesigned second-row seats with larger headrests and additional seat-mounted storage compartments.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins alluded that the VTi will eventually get the active safety features of the VTi-L as well.

“The addition of Honda Sensing on the new Odyssey VTi-L represents another step in our plan to introduce the full suite of intelligent driver-assist features and active safety technologies right across the Honda vehicle range over the next few years,” he said.

“So while it will take some time before the Honda Sensing system is standardised across all models and all grades, we are committed to supporting the safe and comfortable driving of our customers with Honda’s driver-assist technologies.”

With one month left in 2017, Honda has sold 2012 examples of the Odyssey, representing a slide of 17.0 per cent over the same period last year.

It is second in sales in the segment behind the Kia Carnival with 5406 sales, however Honda claims it is the most popular choice for private buyers with a 35 per cent market share.

2018 Honda Odyssey pricing*

VTi (a)	$37,990
VTi-L (a)	$47,590

*Excludes on-road costs