The Honda Odyssey was first introduced in 1994 and subsequent generations were diverged to reflect variations for different markets.
Since the model year 1999, Honda has marketed a larger Odyssey in North America as well as a smaller one currently in its fifth generation, in Japan and other markets, including Singapore.
Two variants are available locally for the all new Odyssey, the EX-S that houses up to eight people and the EXV-S you see here that can sit seven.
Exterior
To be honest, we initially thought the designers had left something out when the first images of the new Odyssey surfaced. But our fears were put to rest when we saw the car in its sheet metal - it is actually quite a looker.
Honda kept its focus on designing a people mover that tries to look like anything but a people mover.
The new design has progressed to keep the swept-back form of the previous generation, as well as pushing out the extremes to give it a more slab-sided profile.
The new Odyssey looks almost like an SUV from the front, but the deep bumper bar that sweeps back along the side profile makes it appear as though it is hugging the ground.
The rear also does well to hide its van-like proportions, mimicking the front in the way it wraps around with trapezoidal taillights.
Standing at 4,830mm by 1,820mm (1,800mm for EX-S trim) by 1,695mm (L x W x H), the new Odyssey has grown in all dimensions and is now 30mm longer, 20mm wider and 150mm taller than its predecessor.
Interior
Sliding doors make their debut in the new Odyssey and together with a lower floor, entering and exiting manoeuvres are now easier, especially for the little kids or the elderly folks.
The one-touch power sliding doors also provide a big advantage in tight and small spaces.
Step inside the new Odyssey and you realise the new model certainly doesn't stray from the well-packaged and extremely clever formula from before.
Things have also been tidied up a fair bit. While the dash on the outgoing model was more spaceship-like, with a radio crammed in almost as an afterthought, the new one is stylish and premium-looking.
And in what may seem like a change in Honda's 'soccer team' strategy, the new Odyssey ditches its predecessor's 2-3-2 formation for a new 2-3-3 configuration.
Sliding doors make their debut in the new Odyssey and together with a lower floor, entering and exiting manoeuvres are now easier, especially for the little kids or the elderly folks.
The one-touch power sliding doors also provide a big advantage in tight and small spaces.
Step inside the new Odyssey and you realise the new model certainly doesn't stray from the well-packaged and extremely clever formula from before.
Things have also been tidied up a fair bit. While the dash on the outgoing model was more spaceship-like, with a radio crammed in almost as an afterthought, the new one is stylish and premium-looking.
And in what may seem like a change in Honda's 'soccer team' strategy, the new Odyssey ditches its predecessor's 2-3-2 formation for a new 2-3-3 configuration.
This is made possible by the much wider sides, yielding enough room at the rear to sit three pint-sized adults side-by-side.
The biggest highlight of the Odyssey's interior has got to be the vast amount of space available.
Headroom and legroom are abundant and the second row of seats can now slide sideways, allowing an unimpeded central corridor to the third row.
The huge amount of space continues all the way behind, with a cargo capacity of 330 litres that is expandable to 1,332 litres - more than enough to haul the child pram, luggage or even a few golf bags.
The Drive
The new Odyssey is powered by a new 2.4-litre Earth Dreams DOHC i-VTEC engine that can also be found in the Accord.
On the go, the engine performs adequately, accelerating at a fair pace without screaming its head off.
Contributing to the smooth power delivery is a new Earth Dreams Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that replaces the five-speed automatic gearbox in the outgoing model.
Both engine and transmission are very well-suited for family motoring.
There's enough power for swift overtaking manoeuvres and the gearbox exhibits none of the annoying attributes CVTs often come under criticism for.
The new transmission also helps in fuel efficiency. Claimed fuel consumption is 12.6km/L versus its predecessor's 11.2km/L, and although we only managed 9.4km/L, it is not too bad for a big car that weighs over 1.8 tonnes.
And while the new Odyssey's suspension setup makes the car bounce over bumps in a rather untimely manner, it handles well for a family hauler that is 1,695mm tall.
The car feels stable when cornering, albeit with some evident body roll, but the steering is reasonably sharp and well-weighted.
Conclusion
The Odyssey is not the minivan of old primarily designed for aging baby boomers but for modern parents who want to drive their kids in style and comfort.
The fifth generation of the MPV is so different from the last, it is almost like engaging the system reformat function.
Do that and you will find a competent people mover that is refined, easy to live with and has a huge amount of interior space.
The car feels stable when cornering, albeit with some evident body roll, but the steering is reasonably sharp and well-weighted.
Conclusion
The Odyssey is not the minivan of old primarily designed for aging baby boomers but for modern parents who want to drive their kids in style and comfort.
The fifth generation of the MPV is so different from the last, it is almost like engaging the system reformat function.
Do that and you will find a competent people mover that is refined, easy to live with and has a huge amount of interior space.
