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2011 Honda Odyssey Concept

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It it turns out to be like what they’ve done before with the Insight and CR-Z concepts, what we’re looking at here is basically the new version of the new Honda Minivan for the US.
And I think it looks great.
Far, far better than the new Toyota Sienna we saw a few weeks ago.

Let’s hope it doesn’t get to watered down for production.

Conversation 27 comments

  1. Absolutely stunning for a Minivan. If they keep the same driving dynamics and functionality (and I'm sure they are working to improve those) a grand slam homerun for Honda.

    They need to use Timberlake for the ad. Honda's bringing sexy back, and to a minivan at that. Funny their van would be their best looking design in some time.

  3. I am surprised that Honda has made such a bold statement with the Odyssey. Very sharp and modern. I like the drop window on the side and the taillight treatment. It also looks lower and not as boxy as the current van. Looks like Chrysler has some catching up to do (what Lancia model can they throw a badge on to compete with this?). Is it my imagination or are all the headlight/ grills starting to look like Fords?

  4. I totally agree. I love it. The consensus around the interweb seems to be pretty positive.
    I definitely getting one.

  6. The reason it is one of Honda's best looking designs in ages is because it was designed in the U.S. friggin A. We can still design when we want to!!!

  7. Eh… different!?! the Cheezy wheels match nice with the Cheezy grill!

    … and it'll look just delightfull parked next to the oh so ostentaciously sexy Crosstour in our driveway!

    Chrysler has nothing to worry about.

  9. Well, I still don't think it looks as nice as the Japanese Odyssey (or even as the previous-gen Japanese Odyssey, for that matter), but styling-wise it is definitely a vast improvement upon the current butt-ugly US Odyssey. Then again, other than a straight-edged shoebox, anything would have been an improvement on that!

  10. Anon 4:59…I also believe the CrossTour and the Acura Grill were designed in the U.S.A….Yeaaa?????
    Where was the Love????
    Other then that this is a conservative look that will keep it ahead of the class.

  12. much better than the toyota no matter what it looks like , and the new nissan quest will be better yet ( Japan Build).

  14. This thing looks FANTASTIC.

    It looks far better than the Sienna which just looks like a bloated insect.

    "Anonymous said…
    Eh… different!?! the Cheezy wheels match nice with the Cheezy grill!

    … and it'll look just delightfull parked next to the oh so ostentaciously sexy Crosstour in our driveway!

    Chrysler has nothing to worry about.

    February 10, 2010 5:04 PM"

    You realize that neither of those objects you just mentioned will make it to production, right? A minivan with 22"s? It is a CONCEPT car.

    Body shape will remain the same, as will the greenhouse. Wheels, grille, head and tail lamps, mirrors, and door handles will change for the production model.

    Chrysler has everything to worry about seeing as how they always are dead last in every single comparison test they have ever been in. The Honda has always placed first, and is the current benchmark as far as minivans go.

    By the way, like it or not, the Crosstour is actually selling. Go talk to any of your local dealers. I have seen quite a few on the road already, and they weren't released more than three months ago.

  15. The cut line is from the Opel Meriva and the Genesis coupe. It doesn't look bad here to me, but if anyone else does it, it's going to look cliche. Also, doesn't Buick's Minivan if China have the same line?

  16. To the poster at February 10, 2010 5:04 PM:

    Chrysler has nothing to worry about? Really?

    #1. The Oddessy has been the best selling minivan in America for the past two years running now.

    #2. Up to 1/4 of ALL Chrysler minivan sales (both the T&C and Caravan) have been FLEET SALES. Chrysler gives ridiculous discounts to large fleet purchases such as Enterprise, Hertz, etc.

    These are not private sales, and shouldn't really count. They are purchased because they are cheap, not because they are good.

  17. To Anon at 4;13am…

    The CrossTour is what happens when you shouldn't even attempt to design an ill-conceived product segment. History us littered with them. The Acura Grill… that is what happens when you have to keep distancing the origins of the "Premium" Acura… the Accord! Again history is littered with the upscaling of designs across all makes! Does a Mercury Marquis really look that much better than an LTD or Crown Vic? Infiniti than Nissan? Riveria vs Grand Prix?, Grand Prix vs Monte Carlo?, Porthole Mark III vs Porthole Thunderbird? Maverick vs Pinto,(I know I'm getting carried away now) Javelin vs Matador (I know I've went over the deep end)

    Anon 4:59…I also believe the CrossTour and the Acura Grill were designed in the U.S.A….Yeaaa?????
    Where was the Love????
    Other then that this is a conservative look that will keep it ahead of the class.

    February 11, 2010 4:13 AM

  18. I think KIA is celebrating more than the Honda Dealers over this one.

    Even IF honda has copied "swivel & go" and " stow-N-go"; they've still got a ways to go.

    Wonder if Honda will get it to market before the Dodge "Freshing" next year?

  19. February 11, 2010 7:39 AM IGNORANTLY SAID: "Chrysler has everything to worry about seeing as how they always are dead last in every single comparison test they have ever been in. The Honda has always placed first, and is the current benchmark as far as minivans go."

    HERE'S THE REALITY:

    J.D. Power and Associates named [DODGE Grand Caravan] the “MOST DEPENDABLE MINIVAN for 2009” (the most recent year tested). NOT Honda!

    MotorWeek named [DODGE Grand Caravan] the BEST MINIVAN for the SECOND YEAR in a ROW! NOT Honda!!

    Besides, this Oddity's jagged greenhouse looks like something a crazed Acura stylist dreamed up in rehab!

    Honda's biggest problem (aside from recent recalls) is that their styling ONLY appeals to losers who are too poor to buy a NEW $30++k minivan anyway!

  20. A lot of people promote Chrysler's stow-N-go seats as being good but I always found them to be very uncomforable (floor too high, seat too low, generaly too small) and poorly engineered (almost cut my finger off stowing a seat once – and if felt like it was going to fall apart as I did it). The functionality of the Ody's seats have been in a class by themselves, I'm curious if/how they have been improved with this redesign.

  21. "Anonymous said…
    February 11, 2010 7:39 AM IGNORANTLY SAID: "Chrysler has everything to worry about seeing as how they always are dead last in every single comparison test they have ever been in. The Honda has always placed first, and is the current benchmark as far as minivans go."

    HERE'S THE REALITY:

    J.D. Power and Associates named [DODGE Grand Caravan] the “MOST DEPENDABLE MINIVAN for 2009” (the most recent year tested). NOT Honda!

    MotorWeek named [DODGE Grand Caravan] the BEST MINIVAN for the SECOND YEAR in a ROW! NOT Honda!!

    Besides, this Oddity's jagged greenhouse looks like something a crazed Acura stylist dreamed up in rehab!

    Honda's biggest problem (aside from recent recalls) is that their styling ONLY appeals to losers who are too poor to buy a NEW $30++k minivan anyway!

    February 12, 2010 4:14 AM"

    I am going to feed this guy some more reality.

    #1. Who went bankrupt? Chryslers future is STILL uncertain and is only here because it was put on life support with OUR OWN TAX DOLLARS. This is now the THIRD time that Chrysler has either come close to filing or has gone bankrupt.

    Bottom line? Chrysler is a crap company with crap products, and crap management.

    #2. Wow, so for a sample size of ONE YEAR the Chrysler minivan was the most dependable. What an accomplishment. One year? That is NOTHING.

    How many people do you know that keep their vehicle for one year and sell it? No one cares about one year.

    #3. Who listens to Motor Week? It is an outdated program broadcasted on PBS with a small viewer base.

    #4. The only thing you can insult is styling? You know that styling is 100% subjective, right? Don't be angry because the "Oddity" has been the best selling minivan for the past two years. Would you call those people losers if they chose the lackluster Chrysler products?

    Why don't you watch the Edmunds Inside Line test of the Oddy vs. Chrysler minivan and see what they say about it?

    You really are digging deep to make a point. I certainly wouldn't support a company that is sucking the US citizens dry. Just let it die already.

  22. Yeah… the back window was 'inspired' by the Hyundai Gen Coupe I think!

    If Hyundai/Kia looks like a Japanese make, people would be all over it and accuse them of "stealing" designs.

    But when Honda does it, it looks stunning?!?!? Where's the double standard?

    I think this minivan looks good but I can't stand how some people are so blatantly biased. Just a thought.

  23. Oddesy is SLIGHTLY ahead of DODGE in minivan sales. But since Town & Country is a close 3rd place; I'd have to concede that Chrysler as a company has always, and still does, sell a lot more minivans each year than Honda.

  24. chrysler invented the minivan so despite honda and toyotas recent success in the market, chrysler and dodge mini's will always have the stigma that comes along with being the first and arguably the most popular (combined sales far surpass that of the honda or toyota, and as a very similar vehicle to one another, the combined sales are truly from one general vehicle)

    so before everyone starts talking shit on chrysler, remember who has always been known to perfect the original vehicle, and thats chrysler… i dont see anything that innovative/revolutionary about the new odyssey so until they up the game, chrysler still is far ahead..

  25. The REAL "next gen" Oddesy is much more boring than this "prototype". The jagged window line is gone. The van is 1" taller than this; narrower, and with smaller tires & wheels. I Guess Honda keeps looking at Chryslers unbeatable customer loyalty (CHRYSLER won the R.L. Polk Owner Loyalty award in the minivan category nine (9) years in a row.); and just tries to see how they can keep copying Grand Caravan without getting nailed for patent or copyright infringement.
    I assume the next Oddessy will copy Chrysler’s 6-speed transmission, stow-N-go, swivel-N-go, MiGig, built-in (removeable) flashlight, available HID headlights, etc.etc.

  26. Is there a way to filter the few desperate Chrysler employees or at least have them announce their affiliation when posting here? They are the only ones I know that would so vehemently bash Honda. The buying public is not on a bash Honda jag, but who is buying anything Chrysler these days?

  27. As someone who owned the previous generation Dodge Grand Caravan I loved it until it hit 73,000 miles as I was warned by a friend with the same vehicle. It broke down and it took the dealer two weeks to find out was wrong. They wanted to charge me to drop the transmission if they were wrong about the diagnosis. When I finally got it back it broke down again within the week. As soon as it was repaired I traded it in on an Odyssey. A much better vehicle on all fronts! About 6 months ago on a business trip got a New Dodge Caravan with the V-6 as a rental… an improvement over my old Grand Caravan but still no match for the Odyssey! You can keep the built in flashlite on the Dodge… it is worth the tradeoff for the reliability that I found. For the RECORD I have been a loyal US car buyer for years but couldn't take the burden of repair no longer.

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