Honda Australia Cuts Prices on the 2012 Odyssey

Honda Australia has launched a facelifted 2012 Odyssey with a freshened front end, new LED rear lights, a revised interior instrument panel with new silver metallic finish for the door handles and centre panel and several new technologies. Along with that, Honda Australia has also given it a $2000 price cut. The base model now starts at $37 100 and goes up to $44 920 for the Luxury top-of-the-line variant. All Odysseys now receive a touch-screen satellite navigation system, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, Honda's new Ecological Drive Assist Program, steering wheel shift paddles and a rearview camera as standard equipment.

The 2012 Honda Odyssey continues with the tried and tested 2.4L 4-cylinder engine making 180hp and 218N/m of torque with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Sales were dismal in November 2011, with only 97 sold. 

Australian Odyssey Wins!

The Honda Odyssey has triumphed again, winning the Drive Car of the Year Award for the Best People Mover for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in six years.

The third-generation Odyssey won the Drive award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and this fourth-generation model has continued, with back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010.

Drive’s Editor Toby Hagon said, “The Odyssey has a brilliantly thought-out interior that comfortably accommodates seven in a stylish, yet flexible wagon body and it’s also surprisingly enjoyable to drive.”

Mr. Stephen Collins, General Manager Sales & Marketing of Honda Australia, said the Odyssey is one of Honda’s most successful and popular models.

“To win this prestigious award for a second year in a row with our Odyssey is truly remarkable. We are pleased that the qualities of the Odyssey in its packaging, safety and driving enjoyment, have kept it at the top of its class,” he said.

2012 Honda Odyssey In Its Glory

2012 Honda Odyssey On Sale!

After a redesign, the 2012 Odyssey EX model receives the i-MID system, Bluetooth with a CD library and a USB audio interface, otherwise, the Touring and Touring Elite models are now available in White Diamond Pearl. That's it for the changes! Visit your local Honda dealer for the 2012 Odyssey. 

http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/

Odyssey Wins!

Cars.com has announced that the 2011 Honda Odyssey is the winner of its first-ever Ultimate Minivan Shootout, taking six new minivans under $45 000 and putting them under several rigorous tests. The Odyssey won for its styling, comfort and overall ride. "Minivans haven't always been so cool, in fact some car shoppers have shied away from them," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief. "The reality is that today's minivans are sleek, practice and drive well, which fulfills the needs of many families. Looking at the Odyssey, its overall package of innovative features, design and a great ride propelled it ahead of its competitors. The $42 000 price tag may be steep but the features the consumer receives for that money is unbeatable."

Along with USA Today and Motorweek, they tested the vehicles over 3 days. They evaluated the real-world mileage as well as ride, comfort, handling, style and functionality. Design and feature content was also evaluated.

The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and the Volkswagen Routan was also part of the comparison shootout.

BREAKING NEWS: Honda's Relentless Recalls Continue ...

Honda is recalling 2 800 of its 2011 Odysseys to repair faulty windows. There is a potential failure with the two front door power windows where the window may come off the track and become inoperative/drop into the door. The window may also shatter into the passenger cabin causing damage. No crashes or injuries have been reported and the recall is expected to begin mid-April. 

RECALL ALERT UPDATE: 2011 Honda Odyssey

2 908 2011 Honda Odysseys in Canada are also affected in this recall involving the windshield wipers. Honda will be more adamant in replacing the wipers in these models because of Canada's snowy climate.

RECALL ALERT: 2011 Honda Odyssey

Next thing you know, the Honda Odyssey is being recalled. And it's the new one. 33 241 all-new Odysseys need to have the windshield wiper linkage rod replaced. The linkage could bend if the wipers freeze under snow or ice and stick to the glass and it would gluck up the wipers. No injuries have resulted from this problem. Honda will be issuing recall notices to all affected owners later this month. 

2011 Honda Odyssey Roof Strength

Honda's 2011 Odyssey has earned the Top Safety Pick from IIHS after picking up a Good rating from its roof strength test. The Odyssey also rated Good for frontal offset as well as side-impact crash tests. To receive a Good rating in the Roof Strength Test, a car must withstand a force of more than 4x its own weight before the roof sustains 5-inches of crushing. The EX model weighed 4398 pounds and withstood more than 22666 pounds of force, approximately 5.12x its own weight. 

Consumer Reports Releases Ratings

Honda's 2011 Fit won Best Value and Best Used Small Car

Honda topped Consumer Reports' annual rankings of automakers for 2011. No Honda product scores less than average in reliability and CR recommends 76% of Hondas it has tested. Recent Honda models including the CR-Z and Insight have been disappointing and have not been recommended due to their low score. The redesigned Odyssey is also down a couple of points compared to the 2010 model.

In other categories, the Honda Fit won Best Value for a Small Car along with Best Used Small Car, the Acura TSX 4-cyl won Best Value for Upscale Sedan, the Acura RL won Best Used Luxury Car, the Honda CR-V winning Best Used Compact SUV and the Ridgeline winning Best Used Pickup Truck.

Godzilla Sues Honda

You might remember seeing one of those new Honda Odyssey ads on national television lately. Perhaps one with Godzilla in it? Well now, the Japanese movie studio responsible for Godzilla movies, Toho Co. is suing Honda for unlicensed usage of Godzilla. It's claiming that the monster's fire-spitting headshot was not authorized for Honda's use.

In the commercial, a dark reptile head is seen next to rocker Judas Priest when the cam cuts to the Wide-Rear Entertainment System. Honda says it would not comment on the issue and will not remove the ads for now. Toho's spokeperson says Honda's use of Godzilla without authorization of their company is an infringement of copyright.

Here's the video.

Odyssey's Good Day

Odyssey Nails a 5-Star Rating

The all-new Honda Odyssey nailed an overall rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA today. It received a 5-star frontal rating, a 4-star rollover rating and a 5-star rating for side pole/barrier tests. The 4-star rollover rating is actually the highest rating possible for a car subjected to these tests, despite the fact that there are only 4 stars. The IIHS also recently announced that the Odyssey received a top score of Good in all crash tests. Of the 50 models the NHTSA has tested, only 11 have earned a full five-star ratings all across the board including Acura's MDX and Honda's own Accord. 

Consumer Reports' Top Rated Minivan

After being displaced by the Toyota Sienna numerous times in the past few years, the newest iteration of the Odyssey has regained the top spot. CR loved its performance, handling, storage capacities, refinement but noted that the sportiness has been diluted and the interior plastics were slightly cheap. 

Introduction into Qatar

The 2011 Honda Odyssey was recently launched at the Qatar Auto Show, making Honda's minivan available in over 6 countries. There are LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims available. The model remains relatively the same compared to the North American Odyssey. 

Agility and Composure, 2011 Honda Odyssey

"In the supermarket of automobiles, minivans occupy the fruit and vegetable section. Their vehicular nutrition comes from gobs of practicality, with healthy doses of economics and safety mixed in.

But just because they're good for you doesn't make them cool. Trust me, I was the kid with baby carrots at snack time.

Honda's 2011 Odyssey aims to change that. All the usual nutrients that ease parents' minds are there. But Honda has dialed up the cool factor, hoping to draw those parents who know just as much about PlayStations as they do play dates."

Full review from The LA Times @ http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-honda-odyssey-review-20110120,0,2267440.story