Honda did something silly for the duration of the launch of its all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan. The automaker built a big autocross-type “track” in the parking lot of San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium and invited journalists to take its newest eight-passenger loved ones hauler for hot laps. It was an interesting “fish out of water” introduction to Honda’s fourth-generation individuals mover.
Designed, developed and manufactured inside the United States, Honda considers the 2011 design an “American Odyssey.” The domestic development team, house owners of 46 Odysseys in between them, labored to deliver a minivan with distinctive style, greater interior versatility and improved energy economy. Did Honda construct itself a worthy successor and how did it fare about the autocross?
Sharing its platform architecture using the Honda Ridgeline and Pilot, the all-new Odyssey is wider and decrease than the model it replaces. The automaker’s California layout team penned a much much more stylish and distinctive edge for the new model, unlike its arguably bland predecessors. It can be a look we initial scoped in concept type at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Most striking is its unique “lightning-bolt” beltline. The “bolt” is functional, as it improves outward visibility from the third row, however the placement is arguably less than attractive at first glance. It really is as though the trailing edge from the sliding door cuts the minivan in two pieces – just like the back again half had been surgically grafted to your first. Generating issues much more awkward, the optical illusion is reinforced as the sliding door channel abruptly ends in the similar spot.
The interior, around the other hand, is far from questionable. It attributes an costly and upscale Acura-like appear and experience. Pleasantly regular in layout, and very pleasant to the eye, the middle stack is much improved more than final year’s design with the audio and HVAC controls now occupying the identical general actual estate, and human-friendly round knobs replacing toggle switches for temperature adjustments. The analog tachometer and speedometer, now the similar size, join analog coolant temperature and fuel stage gauges on every single facet.
To avoid confusion going forward, it really is ideal to outline the design hierarchy. Anybody acquainted with this automaker, or current Odyssey, will understand it follows Honda’s existing 2010 cut stages. The entry-level product is badged the LX, followed by the Ex girlfriend or boyfriend, EX-L, EX-L RES (rear entertainment) and EX-L NAV (navigation)!!! The flagship types are the Touring and (new for 2011) Touring Elite. Pricing starts at $27,800 (plus $780 vacation spot) for the LX type. Odysseys with leather upholstery, for example the EX-L, begin at $34,450 (plus location)! Lastly, we have the Touring ($40,755 plus location) and the new-for-2011 range-topping Touring Elite ($43,250 plus location)!!!
Although all types share the exact same standard major instrumentation, the multi-information show centered around the best on the dashboard varies by model. The standard design (LX cut) has a one-line section readout. This is enhanced slightly which has a three-line section display on mid-grade types (base Former mate cut)..! However the real eye candy could be the full-color, eight-inch QVGA show (EX-L and EXL-Res cut) or its VGA counterpart (EX-L Touring cut).
Both are capable of presenting a total variety of graphics, including navigation, audio, journey computer and even background images comparable to individuals on your PC or smartphone.
Dash aside, the rest in the cabin is really a reflection of the American household road-trip dream. You will find 12-volt strength outlets galore and cup holders everywhere (15 in all however the LX cut, which only has 13)!!! Storage nooks and crannies are seemingly hidden behind nearly every single panel and there’s even a chilled “Cool Box” for keeping drinks crisp (EX-L and each Touring trims).
The driver and entrance passenger seat are bucket-style captain’s chairs with eight-way (LX trim) or 10-way (all other trim amounts) energy aid. Each seat functions an individual fold-down armrest inside the core and leather, seat heating and seat memory are trim-dependant. Involving the the front seats is often a reconfigured middle console with storage and a brand new flip-up trash bag ring that’s sized to accommodate ordinary grocery bags. The heart console is also removable, making it possible for a generous pass-through for individuals who to choose to give up the storage.
The second-row of seating has been considerably redesigned compared to last year’s type. Constructed in 3 seating segments, the center seat is 3.9 inches wider and can slide forward 5.5 inches – bringing it closer for the first seats. Even better, the 3 middle seats have a “Wide-Mode” configuration where they can be slid apart laterally by 1.5 inches just about every (enabling 3 child seats to go side-by-side-by-side with ease). The seats also fold down or might be absolutely removed.
The third-row of seating has also been enhanced. It has an extra 1.one inches of legroom (for “adult-sized degrees of comfort,” says Honda) and outward visibility has enhanced thanks on the “Lightning Bolt” design. Honda’s third-row “Magic Seat” is split 60/40 and each side folds and collapses flat and flush into the floor inside a easy one-hand operation although the headrests remain inside the seats.
A dual-zone (LX trim) or tri-zone (all other versions) climate control keeps occupants snug, with all the tri-zone method allowing the driver, first passenger and rear passengers to adjust the temperature and distribution automatically. Automobiles fitted aided by the navigation process take factors a person step further. Based on GPS data, the method automatically adjusts fan rate to compensate for direct sunlight (don’t ask us how it knows whether or not you will discover sunlight obscuring clouds overhead)!!!
The Odyssey’s infotainment system is very capable, even in its simplest type. The base audio package deal (LX trim) can be a 229-watt AM/FM/CD five-speaker method. Larger choice amounts (Ex or EX-L cut) gain a 2GB audio library and two much more speakers. Adding the navigation process brings a 15GB tough drive on the package deal. The prime audio package (found only about the Touring Elite trim) can be a 650-watt AM/FM/CD/15GB Challenging Disk premium audio package with 12 speakers which includes a subwoofer. The heart channel speakers for its 5.one surround-sound audio technique are located inside the roof just in the front in the second row.
The simple rear entertainment system (RES) available for the EX-L and standard Touring fashions can be a 9-inch huge QVGA ceiling-mounted screen (480 pixels x 234 pixels) for viewing DVDs or devices by means of the audio/video input jacks. Even more enticing is the Touring Elite model’s “Ultrawide” RES, featuring a 16.2-inch extensive WVGA ceiling-mounted screen (one,600 pixels x 480 pixels)!!! It can show a person (complete display) or two sources (split display) of programming concurrently even though the audio portion is sent to wireless headsets. The program also consists of a high-definition HDMI port for external device input. A comparable ultra-wide viewing screen can also be had to the 2011 Toyota Sienna and appears to be making its way all-around the minivan section.
Below the hood, Honda is hiding a 24-valve 3.5-liter V6 that is almost identical to final year’s motor. Even so, Honda has pulled a number of tricks to wring out much more horses from the proven powerplant. To minimize friction, the aluminum engine block has been honed and extremely lightweight 0W-20 oil fills the crankcase. To improve breathing, there exists a brand new two-stage intake manifold, and Honda claims the refined motor delivers 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque on normal unleaded fuel. (For the record, last year’s types are rated at 244 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque)!
Honda’s now-familiar Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) is standard on all cut amounts for 2011. In layman’s terms, the technology begins the engine with all 6 cylinders firing. Points change throughout moderate-speed cruising and at low motor speeds when the rear bank of cylinders shuts down to effectively create a three-cylinder powerplant. For moderate-speed acceleration, the left and core cylinders with the entrance financial institution operate, along with the appropriate and core cylinders of the rear financial institution operate (the engine runs on only four cylinders)! Computer-controlled, VCM closes the consumption and exhaust valves with the cylinders which are not used, thereby eliminating pumping losses. Energy supply is cut, but the plug continues to fire to prevent fouling and retain the spark hot.
While Honda has gone to exhaustive lengths to improve the engine’s efficiency (even lowering the amount of tension about the alternator belt), one particular can not aid but wonder why they haven’t embraced today’s innovative technologies. If you’ve already relegated owners to driving on 3 or four cylinders all through most of their driving, why not just seal the deal that has a direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the first place? (We’ll remind readers that Hyundai’s new 2.0T Theta II engine trumps the Honda three.5-liter in horsepower, torque, efficiency, fat and packaging)!!!
Strength is sent to your entrance wheels (there may be no all-wheel-drive offering) through certainly one of two transmissions. The standard transmission about the lessen trim stages is really a five-speed, whilst a six-speed automatic – a Honda brand initial – is standard on the best cut levels (Touring models).
Compared on the five-speed, the gearing for the six-speed transmission is lessen in very first through fifth to enhance acceleration, and taller in sixth to enhance gas economy.
The Odyssey’s wheelbase is unchanged from final year’s model, but its track is up 1.four inches within the entrance and rear. The independent suspension style remains the same (MacPherson struts up entrance, multi-link out back), but Honda engineers worked tricky to isolate passengers from street noise by using quite stiff mounting points in the rear and “blow-off” valves on all shock absorbers that minimize harshness when a wheel hits a severe jolt, including a pothole.
Many automakers have moved towards electric electrical power steering pumps, but Honda bucks the trend by retaining a traditional hydraulic pump. As expected, there is additional ability assist at reduce speeds to lessen steering effort. At increased speeds, when additional feedback is desired, the technique automatically reduces increase to enhance steering experience while simultaneously lowering parasitic drag on the engine.
The disc brakes on all 4 corners are larger than their predecessors. The normal wheels have grown by an inch across the board, with all lower trim degrees wearing 17-inch steel wheels (235/65R17 tires) and Touring designs equipped with 18-inch alloys wrapped in decrease profile 235/60R18 tires. Honda does not provide run-flat or extended mobility tires and instead, the minivan is equipped using a compact spare hidden out of view underneath the load floor in between the frnt seats.
The curb weight from the flagship Touring Elite model we tested is 4,560 pounds (the entry-level LX tips the scales about 200 pounds lighter)..! Nevertheless, it nevertheless scoots to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, says Honda. Significantly much more crucial to minivan owners is energy efficiency. This is the place the 2011 Journey shines. Designs together with the five-speed transmission (LX, Former mate and EX-L) earn 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway (21 combined)..! The Touring/Touring Elite designs, using the six-speed automated, earn 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway (22 combined)! Which has a normal 21-gallon fuel tank, the array on the freeway should easily exceed 450 miles.
Security also sells minivans, so Honda has made occupant and pedestrian protection part of its core enterprise strategy. Normal safety equipment contains Vehicle Stability Help (VSA) and four-wheel ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake support. Dual-stage, multiple-threshold entrance airbags and active head restraints protect those within the first seats and you will find standard three-row side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all outboard passengers within the cabin. The driver’s and the front passenger’s facet airbags are fitted with Honda’s Occupant Position Detection Process (OPDS) – an innovative technologies that deactivates the aspect airbag if sensors determine that a child or modest stature adult is leaning against the door.
Inside the cabin, all seating positions feature three-point seatbelts (automated pretensioners around the front seats) and there may be a class-leading total of 5 childseat Lessen Anchors and Tethers for Kids (LATCH) positions (4 in the entry-level Odyssey LX). There exists also a “pedestrian injury mitigation design” in the the front of the automobile. The 2011 Honda Odyssey has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Security Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Security (IIHS) yet, but Honda says its Journey minivan is targeted to achieve the ideal 5-Star/Top Security Pick scores.
