Today's News by Jack Nerad for Driving Today

Honda Unveils New Minivan Concept

Thursday, February 18, 2010

There was a time when Chrysler owned the minivan segment with its Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, not to mention the now departed Plymouth Voyager. 

Then, the Honda Odyssey stuck its nose into the picture and eventually emerged at the segment leader, according to most critics, so Honda designers certainly felt pressure as they worked on its replacement, a vehicle that is due late this summer or early fall.

They needn’t have worried. The result of the effort is a vehicle that makes the old Odyssey seem very old indeed. The new design is clean and sporty, but it is also expected to be at least as functional as the current mainstay. For example, the middle row of the three-row seating arrangement will be wide enough to accept three child seats. 

The Odyssey concept was presented as a show vehicle, but the production vehicle will be very similar in looks. The new minivan will offer a lower overall height than the previous Odyssey, a wider body and a tapered rear cabin area. Because of its relatively low roofline, the new concept might be mistaken for a station wagon, but it retains its minivan identity with twin sliding rear doors and a stubby hood. Designers are proud of the zigzag beltline and the side-glass graphics. 

We can’t wait to see what clever details Honda designers have come up with to vault their minivan ahead of the pack even further. One big area of bragging rights is the fuel economy story. Honda says the new V-6-powered Odyssey will get better fuel economy numbers than four-cylinder Toyota Sienna, as if Toyota doesn’t have enough troubles.  Expect the new Odyssey in a showroom near you by year’s end.

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