Although the majority of the crossovers and SUVs have become the traditional family vehicles, there’s still a couple of minivan models that brings all of the qualities of a dependable hauler. One of such genuine minivans is the upcoming 2021 Honda Odyssey. Of course, some of our readers might ask – is there even a good market for these types of vehicles? Yes, there is.
For example, the FCA sold over 270,000 minivans in 2018, which indicates that demands are still high. Also, it is a very competitive market, so the Japanese company is developing a brand-new Odyssey that will be able to compete with the others in the segment. Besides the mid-cycle refreshment, 2021 Odyssey will update the safety suite as well. On top of that, there’s a rumor regarding the hybrid version. But, there’s no official info regarding the hybrid topic.
2021 Honda Odyssey Spy Shots and Exterior Design
2021 Honda Odyssey prototype vehicle was spied during test drives, with a camouflage covering a good portion of the front and rear fascias. Still, we can see that the mid-cycle refreshment is on its way. We expect to see a refined front end, with brand-new grille and redesigned lights.
Moreover, Honda will probably introduce a new bumper design as well. On the back, the changes are more visible. The rear bumper is refined a bit, besides few of the minor styling improvements. Also, the design lines down the side are still here, although a good number of Odyssey fans claim that it is the weakest spot of the exterior design.
Engine, Release Date and Price
As for the engine room, we will have to wait for a full redesign to see some changes. 2021 Honda Odyssey will come with a familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine. This unit produces 280 hp and 262 pound-feet of torque. That power will be routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This model has a considerable fanbase, Honda sold over 100,000 Odyssey minivans last year, very close to the sales number of competitors like FCA and the Chrysler Pacifica model.
But, the FCA is not the only rival of the Honda’s minivan, there’s also Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona as well. The quite exciting segment. 2021 Odyssey will debut in the summer of 2020. However, the sales will start in the second half of the year.
The starting price for the base LX version will be around $31,000. Besides the base model, Honda’s minivan will have four more trims. EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The most expensive Elite will cost around $48,000, with a destination fee included.
2021 Honda Odyssey Hybrid Rumors
Recently, we heard some rumors regarding the 2021 Honda Odyssey Hybrid model. According to that source, the hybrid will combine a 3.0-liter V6 engine and three electric motors. The same source state that the hybrid version will produce more power than the regular 3.5-liter V6 powertrain.
So, we expect to see the total output of around 320 hp, with the AWD system as standard and a refined 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Of course, the fuel economy ratings are unknown at the moment. But, of course, we will keep you informed if the hybrid version becomes an official thing.