Honda Odyssey test drive since 2011 minivan

Review of the Honda Odyssey A/M after restyling

In the month of April of the current, 2006, the third -generation Honda Odyssey car passed partial modernization, during which certain changes were made to its external and internal equipment. In general, these changes are quite consistent with the general development trend of the Japanese minivan. At the same time, the Honda Odyssey machine, and especially its sports version, which is known as Odyssey Absolute, is perceived by a typical Honda for the body configuration and some other parameters. So what prevails here, general or private? Our journalist reflects on this, who had a chance to make a test trip by a new -sample Honda Odyssey.
 
A machine that embodied the spirit of Honda
Every time I see the Honda Odyssey's car, the last model, it always begins to seem to me that it is wrong. In fact, - I often think, - it should be served (and sold), as one of the modifications of Honda Civic!.
Let me explain what I mean. During the time, while there is a range of Civic, the most impressive phenomenon, from my point of view, was the third generation of this family, which was distinguished by a small height and an elongated roof (Low & Long Roof). Officially, the car passed as a 3-door hatchback and was called Wonder Civic. Now I ask you to take a closer look at the new Odyssey car. So, it is characterized by a low bottom and a small height, allowing, incidentally, to put it on closed parking with a limited ceiling height. In this regard, does it not seem to you that its silhouette is very much like the configuration of that former miracle of Civic (Wonder Civic)? Currently, Civic has become not what he was before, acquired a 4 door body such as a sedan - in general, became completely unrecognizable. But the features of the former, classic Civic car suddenly were suddenly revived in a car from a completely different lineup. In fact, which only in our life does not happen!
However, the matter is not only in external resemblance. Look, being a minivan, this car has a low body layout and, as already mentioned, a low floor in the cabin. To lower the bottom was not easy, given that somewhere it was necessary to put a fuel tank. He, as you know, had to be made completely flat. In addition, I had to invent such a design for suspension of the rear wheels that its parts would take as little space as possible. In a word, the designers had to strain all their imagination and realize a number of original ideas. But such a creative approach is, in my opinion, the essence of the style of a la Honda.
The same thing, only to a greater extent applies to the Odyssey Absolute car. Judge for yourself: are there few cars in the world that carry sets of parts that improve body aerodynamics? And the suspension, if it is a sports minivan, is always quite tough. But to make sure that all the details and nodes, including the engine, turn out to be a special design and design, and so that all this is assembled in one machine, this is what it means to create your own style! And it was this style that predetermined the special place that Odyssey Absolute took among other minivans. What is modern Civic! The ability to arise in his driver an insatiable desire for speed that the third -generation Civic possessed is almost absent in the new car of the same name. This is all wrong! But exactly that, it was that emotional upsurge that I felt when I was driving Odyssey Absolute. And you know what else? Sometimes I am inclined to think that the spirit of the former Honda, because he had to soar all this time somewhere nearby. And only in this car he seems to have found a refuge.
I hope that, after reading the foregoing, anyone can understand with what interest I got behind the wheel of a small modernization of the Odyssey Absolute car, and how interesting it was for me to carry out a trial race on it.
It is felt that the car is in great shape
Sometimes, looking around, only you wonder how quickly the number and quality of Japanese minivans grow. Such rapid growth can be compared only with the boom of sedans, which was observed at the time that is now called the period of rise and growth of the economy. Here is a specific example for you. As you know, the complete replacement of the Model Row Honda Odyssey happened in October 2003. During this event, it was decided that Odyssey Absolute would be equipped with a 2.3-tier 4-cylinder engine, which will develop power up to 200 horsepower. What powerful motor seemed then! But three years have passed. And what do we see now? Let's watch: the Toyota Estima minivan is driven by an engine, which, firstly, has a much larger cubature (3.5 liters). Secondly, it has 6 cylinders located V-shaped. And thirdly, most importantly, it develops a power of 280 hp. Another variation on the topic is the MPV model manufactured by Mazda. It is not very impressive in terms of the working volume of its engine - only 2.3 liters. Yes, and only 4 cylinders. But the turbo and its maximum power are 245 hp. These are now the minivans of the engines.
Let us return, however, to the partially modernized Odyssey Absolute machine. It may seem strange, but it was decided to leave the engine power at the same level. So, this is still 200 horsepower. So, in terms of increasing speed, there is no longer to wait for something supernatural. But on the other hand, in comparison with the engines of other minivans, this motor works surprisingly measuredly, and the sound he makes some particularly high timbre. These signs immediately give out a sports orientation car in it. In terms of subjective sense of speed, this car is still minivan No. 1.
The next that pleasantly surprised this feeling of comfort while driving. During the current low modernization, the following details were strengthened in the suspension: springs, stabilizers and bushings. In addition, the car was reached into a larger tire (there were 17-inch, 18-inch). At the same time, the characteristics of the shock absorbers were revised, so there is absolutely no disharmony of oscillations. The suspension is hard enough to skillfully cut off all too sharp tremors coming from the wheels. The car is even more graceful than before. On the example of this machine, you once again be convinced of the correctness of the principle of a market economy, which reads: for the machine to be well sold, you need to invest a lot in it.
During the modernization, steering was optimized. Now the steering wheel acts, although quickly, but without jerks. From this the driver is only calmer. In a word, it is comfortable to control the machine. As before, when entering the body, despite its height, it does not roll, so the feeling of loss of stability does not arise. If you control the machine, abruptly throwing it from side to side, then the weight that comes to the front axle gives itself to be felt. But if you move in the usual manner for the minivan, the front of the car does not scour and changes its direction only then and the way the driver himself wants.
The design in places is controversial
I have already expressed my point of view according to which the Odyssey Absolute car in a lot inherited that system of values, which was originally adhered to in Honda. This, in particular, suggests that the stamped shell of the machine simply cannot but be made at the highest professional level. At least the moving car looks very dynamic and is really impressive. Doubts are caused by only one component of the design of decorative elements.
During the modernization, the thickness of the partition was changed in the design of the radiator decorative lattice. This does not cause any negative emotions. On the other hand, earlier the back was almost a complete absence of decor, but in the new model such primitivism decided to diversify somewhat. As a result, a decorative overlay appeared between the left and right combined lantern, which is taken into a metal frame. This innovation visually immediately buried the back of the car.
But that's what. Here are the indicators of the devices on the front panel are highlighted in blue and red, so the entire front wall acquires some unnecessary appearance, as if it were not a real machine, but a slot machine panel. The shape of the transmission control lever and instrument pens are also similar to toy. The decorative panels of the cabin made under marble, and the tissue upholstery of the seats seem too motley, as if all this was done in the calculation of the children.
As you, perhaps, you know, the backlighting of the devices in the salon of the former sample was only one color, red. It seemed to many that this color was too distracting from the road, that is, it did not at all help maintain a calm, business atmosphere in the cabin. However, compared with how the same dashboard looks now, the old version seems simply super-consuming. Of course, the final diagnosis of these innovations, which were introduced during low modernization, will be given by users themselves. I just want to emphasize that in any other minivan, no matter what brand he is, I have never met a similar toy environment, this is a fact!
All of us unconsciously formed the idea that Honda cars should always differ in something extraordinary, and Honda itself is good for a good taste. This idea is very tenacious, and still remains unshakable. This has its own historical explanation. For post -war Japan, Mark Honda meant almost the same thing as the Sony brand. Both that and the other is a symbol of the Renaissance. Therefore, we are not at all indifferent in which direction the Honda company is going to progress, as, indeed, Sony.
  
Technical characteristics of the Honda Odyssey Absolute model:
Length 4770 mm x width 1800 mm x height 1550 mm.
Wheel base: 2830 mm.
Machine weight: 1700 kg.
Drive: front wheel drive
Engine: 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder with in-line cylinders, gas distribution mechanism of the DOHC type with 16 valves, maximum developed power of 200 hp. at 6800 rpm, the largest torque is 23.7 kg/m at 4500 rpm.
Basic price: 2 million 782.5 thousand yen.
 
 
 

A source: Webcg.net