The Honda Odyssey has quickly become the benchmark by which all other minivans are measured. The Odyssey minivan enters 2001 having earned the rave reviews of consumers and media alike.
The Odyssey continues to collect numerous awards with Consumer's Digest naming Odyssey a "Best Buy." Intellichoice and Motorweek also awarded Odyssey their "Best Minivan" award. Meanwhile, in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index -- a survey of satisfaction including both vehicle quality and the ownership experience -- owners ranked Odyssey first.
For 2001, the Odyssey receives several additions to its already sizable list of features. All LX and EX Odysseys come with "LATCH" (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) added to second row seats, along with a child safety seat top tether anchor on the third row seating positions.
The LX and EX trim levels will add an intermittent rear wiper and standard floor mats. LX models add a manual driver's seat height adjustment for 2001. Honda's traction control system (TCS) is now standard on the LX model as well as EX. Odysseys in EX trim will add a security system to the keyless remote feature.
A new color has been added to the Odyssey palette as a new brighter "Starlight Silver" replaces "Canyon Stone Silver."
For the 2001 model year, Honda will continue to offer the first factory navigational system in the minivan class as an option in the Odyssey EX. This state-of-the-art navigational system uses Global Positioning System (GPS) data from satellites and a DVD-based map database coupled with an internal guidance system to provide both visual and audio driving directions with 48-state coverage. Coverage includes all major roads and freeways and provides detailed map and points of interest data for more than 100 metropolitan areas in several states.
The Odyssey's 3.5-liter, 210-horsepower V-6 engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission. This 24-valve powerplant produces exceptional low-rpm torque (229 foot-pounds at 4300 rpm) for improved off-line and around-town acceleration, and delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city/25 highway. The Odyssey also meets California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard for light trucks.
The Odyssey features dual sliding doors and is capable of accommodating seven passengers comfortably. To convert the Odyssey from people hauling to cargo hauling, the second row seats can be folded or completely removed. The third-row Magic Seat' folds down to create a flat floor wide enough to accommodate 4' x 8' sheets of building material.
Passenger safety is enhanced by Honda's 4-ring shell design where the A, B, C, and D pillars are tied together with underfloor and ceiling crossmembers. Two rings completely encircle each row of seats, resulting in a high degree of protection from impacts from any direction.
The Odyssey comes equipped with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and Honda's Traction Control System to help maintain adhesion and stability on slippery road surfaces. Dual air bags, three-point safety belts and head restraints for all seven seating positions create a new level of passenger protection. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Odyssey earned the government's highest (five-star) rating for occupant protection in frontal and side impact collisions.
The Odyssey is assembled at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. Manufacturing capacity has expanded to meet the strong demand for the standard-setting Honda Odyssey.