2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150*

Wed, 26 Jun 2013

Honda has released pricing on its 2014 Odyssey. Buyers can take home the revamped minivan for $28,825 (excluding an $830 destination fee). That price marks a $150 increase over the 2013 model, but that extra Benjamin and a half buys you a whole slate of updates. Those include a new six-speed automatic transmission in all trims, revised exterior styling and a few tweaks to the instrument cluster and dash controls. Honda's familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, and the new gearbox helps the van return 19 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway.

Of course, those who opt for the top-shelf $44,450* Touring Elite trim will get to play with the new HondaVac vacuum cleaner system. The handheld vac is built into the van's rear cargo area and recharges using the onboard 12-volt electrical system. The little vacuum features a removable debris canister as well as a replaceable filter bag and can run for eight minutes between charges. Check out the full press release below for more information.

2014 Honda Odyssey Arrives at Dealers July 2 Delivering More Value to Customers with Refreshed Styling, Enhanced Safety and Additional Standard Features

Already the benchmark minivan, the 2014 Honda Odyssey offers best-in-class fuel efficiency and new innovative features like HondaVAC™

The 2014 Honda Odyssey minivan arrives at Honda dealerships nationwide on July 2, refreshed with a host of powertrain, styling, interior, feature and safety upgrades, all designed to meet the needs of today's family. Key changes to the 2014 Odyssey minivan include the addition of a standard 6-speed automatic transmission on all trims resulting in class-leading fuel-economy ratings, enhanced safety equipment, cleaner front and rear exterior styling, plus revised instrumentation and electronic controls.

For the first time all 2014 Odyssey models will include standard Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® connectivity, a 4-way power passenger seat, Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Pandora® interface and an SMS text messaging function. New available features include the Honda exclusive LaneWatch™ blind spot display, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). Additionally, Odyssey Touring Elite models will now come standard with the much-anticipated HondaVAC™, the world's first in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, which allows customers the ability to quickly and easily clean-up dirt and debris from every corner of the minivan.

The 2014 Honda Odyssey will have a starting MSRP of $28,825. This represents only a $150 increase in base price for a thoroughly revised Odyssey equipped with additional standard features for increased convenience.

With the addition of a standard 6-speed automatic transmission paired to the 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), the Odyssey further solidifies its place as the fuel economy leader in the minivan segment with all 2014 models offering EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/28 mpg1 city/highway (model-year 2013 EPA ratings were 18/27 mpg on all models except Touring and Touring Elite).

Further enhancing occupant safety, the 2014 Odyssey receives the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. The reinforced frontal structure improves frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes. With the revised structure, the 2014 Odyssey is anticipated to earn the highest rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a GOOD rating in the stringent new IIHS small overlap frontal collision test. The Odyssey is expected to be the first minivan to earn a TSP+ from IIHS.

For 2014, the Odyssey continues with its successful model grade strategy: five different available trim levels include the well-equipped base LX model, EX, the leather-trimmed EX-L, the feature-packed Touring, and the line-topping Odyssey Touring Elite. A DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES) and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition3 are available on EX-L models and above.

New exterior colors for 2014 are Modern Steel Metallic and Obsidian Blue Pearl. Interior colors include Beige, Gray and Truffle for the new high-quality fabric that features a refined and dynamic new weave pattern on LX and EX models, while the EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite feature leather upholstery. A full range of genuine Honda accessories is also available.

New Features by Trim Level:

Odyssey LX:

6-speed automatic transmission
4-way power front passenger seat
Expanded View Driver's Mirror
One-touch turn signals
Next-generation Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
Bluetooth® streaming audio
Pandora® interface
Short Message Service (SMS) text function
Odyssey EX adds:

LaneWatch™ blind spot display
Push button start with keyless access system
HondaLink™ featuring Aha™ compatibility
Wiper-linked headlights
Odyssey EX-L and EX-L RES add:

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Odyssey EX-L Navi and Touring add:

Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
Odyssey Touring Elite adds:

HondaVAC™ integrated vacuum system

HD Radio™
Neural 5.1 Surround™ audio
Advancing the Odyssey
In redesigning the Odyssey for 2014, Honda's goal was to reinforce and expand upon the vehicle's already great features, including the exceptional value for money that already defines the Odyssey for its target buyers: Gen X and Gen Y families. Odyssey aims to surprise and delight by adding upgrades and amenities, making it once again the top pick among individual buyers.

Powertrain
The 2014 Odyssey features a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine producing 248 hp at 5,700 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Honda's i-VTEC® enhances power delivery while Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) helps maximize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

With the 2014 model, Honda has targeted best-in-class fuel economy ratings for all trim levels. As a result, the transmission has been upgraded to a 6-speed automatic across the model range, replacing the 5-speed automatic previously found on the LX, EX and EX-L. EPA fuel economy ratings are now 19/28 mpg1 city/highway for all trim levels, up 1 mpg in both city and highway for the LX, EX and EX-L trims. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions certification4 remains an impressive ULEV-2.

Body
Refined and youthful, sporty and advanced, the Odyssey's refreshed styling adds new premium elements for 2014. Highlights include new black-trimmed headlights, new available fog lights, a new muscular hood, and black-surround grille for an upscale appearance. New body-color matched side mirrors and additional bright chrome trim add to the premium appearance. New rear styling and LED taillights with clear lenses and eye-catching perimeter "light pipes" add to the polished look.

Weight savings come from the use of aluminum for the hood, front fenders and front suspension lower control arms. The LX model features 17-inch steel wheels with premium covers, while EX and EX-L models utilize 17-inch premium aluminum alloy wheels. Touring and Touring Elite models feature 18-inch premium sport aluminum alloy wheels.

The 2014 Odyssey EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models have a wiper-linked headlight system that automatically turns on the headlights when the front wipers are activated. In addition, new standard one-touch turn signals improve convenience for the driver when making routine lane changes. With this system, one flick of the turn-signal lever provides three blinks of the turn signals - ideal for changing lanes. Pressing the lever past the "click point" provides continuous blinking.

A new keyless entry system with push button start on EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite allows the driver to approach the vehicle, open the door and start the engine - all without touching a key. The system only requires the driver have possession of the key fob. The system also simplifies opening the sliding side doors and tailgate - locking all doors when leaving the vehicle requires only touching the lock button on any door handle.

Interior
Redesigned instrumentation, new trim and fabric, and upgraded electronic features and functionality make the 2014 Odyssey interior ideal for families. Design changes include upgraded meter illumination and interior lighting, chrome-trimmed instrument dials and door handles, a new available 7-inch touch-screen, and a repositioned DVD player for the available Rear Entertainment System. Updated styling and a change from blue to white halo lighting make the instrumentation easier to read. Similar changes make the climate control easier to operate.

All 2014 Odyssey models and trim levels get an Expanded View Driver's Mirror. The driver's side mirror provides a 19-percent increase in visible area, offering an enhanced view of objects that might otherwise be hidden in the vehicle's blind spot. Included on Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring models, the Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display provides an expanded rear view of the passenger side roadway. The system uses a camera mounted on the bottom of the passenger door mirror, which when activated by the right turn signal or the signal-stalk LaneWatch™ button, displays a live, 80-degree view of the passenger-side roadway, compared to 18- to 22-degrees typical of a standard door mirror.

A rearview camera is standard on all Odyssey models. Odyssey LX, EX and EX-L models feature a single-angle "Normal View" display, while EX-L Navi, Touring and Touring Elite models have a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with wide, normal and top-down views - all with improved optical quality. All rearview camera systems feature guidelines.

HondaVAC™
The Odyssey Touring Elite features the first minivan in-vehicle vacuum cleaner system, HondaVac™ which is designed to help families keep the minivan interior neat and clean. Engineered for dry use, the HondaVAC™ operates on the vehicle's 12-volt electrical system, and its performance easily surpasses that of a handheld rechargeable vacuums.

Integrated in the rear cargo area of the vehicle, the HondaVAC™ includes an extendable hose that can reach every corner of the vehicle. Two separate head attachments expand versatility, while a removable debris canister and replaceable filter bag makes maintaining the vacuum easy. To protect the vehicle battery's state of charge, the HondaVAC™ runs up to eight minutes with the ignition turned to the Accessory setting - or continuously if the engine is running.

Odyssey EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models have new intuitive touch panel controls that reduce button clutter on the center stack. An upper 8-inch display and a lower 7-inch display provide a simpler overall interface improving usability.

When paired to a compatible cellular phone, Aha™ and Pandora® interfaces are available on EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models. XM® Radio is included in EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models, a HDD audio system comes on the EX-L Navi, Touring and Touring Elite models, and a rear DVD player is standard in EX-L RES, Touring and Touring Elite models. The Touring Elite also features HD Radio and new Neural 5.1 Surround™ audio.

Audio system output is 240 watts for Odyssey LX, 270 watts for EX, EX-L and EX-L RES, and 246 watts for EX-L Navi and Touring. The premium audio system in the Odyssey Touring Elite has 650 watts. All audio systems have seven speakers except for the Touring Elite, which features 12 speakers.

Simplified pairing and enhanced functionality with smart phones improve the Odyssey's telematics for 2014. HandFreeLink® is included on all models, and Bluetooth® audio streaming, SMS and email functions are available with compatible smartphones. Additional features include a phonebook, call history, speed dial and contact picture. Odyssey EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite include HondaLink™ featuring Aha™ which offers content from hundreds of channels through a tethered compatible smartphone.

The Rear Entertainment System (RES) on the EX-L RES, Touring and Touring Elite models features upgraded control layout and screen quality. This system features improved placement of the DVD player and more intuitive operation for the rear audio controls. Screen resolution is VGA on EX-L RES and Touring models, and the Touring Elite's upgraded ultra-widescreen offers four times higher resolution.

Safety
With the application of the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, significant structural changes to the unit-body were made, including more extensive use of high-strength steel in the A-, B- and C-pillars, roof rails, floor rails, front body area, and front subframe. As a result, the front door opening is now stronger, with less chance of deformation in a frontal collision.

The previous Odyssey achieved a top Good rating in IIHS Front Crash, Side Crash, Rear Crash and Roof Crush tests. For 2014, the Odyssey is targeted to add a GOOD rating in the IIHS's rigorous new Small Overlap Barrier Test and be among the first minivans to receive the highest IIHS rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+.

Newly available on the Odyssey, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) help the driver indentify potential collision situations. Using the Odyssey's front camera module, FCW warns of a possible collision with a vehicle detected in front, while LDW notifies the driver of departures from detected lanes5. The two systems are packaged together on Odyssey EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models, and provide visual and audible warnings.

North American Development and Manufacturing
The Odyssey represents Honda's robust product development capabilities in North America with its design, engineering and assembly all taking place in the U.S., using domestically and globally sourced parts. Designed in Los Angeles and engineered at Honda R&D America's in Ohio, the Odyssey is manufactured6 by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Inc. Currently, 95 percent of all Hondas sold in the U.S., are built in North America.

By Zach Bowman