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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Japanese_Flag_30x22.jpg All Odysseys, though, will get the same 3.5-liter, variable displacement V-6 engine (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/2011-honda-odyssey-fuel-economy-could-crush-rival-minivans/1)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2011_Honda_Odyssey_Touring.jpgUSATODAY (http://content.usatoday.com) - Jul 13, 2010

How is a 28mpg highway rating "remarkable?" --Ed.

Honda says it recently got the good word from the feds that at least one version of its 2011 Odyssey minivan will be rated a remarkable 28 miles per gallon on the highway, just what Honda had predicted.

That makes the 2011 Odyssey, a major overhaul due in showrooms this fall, three mpg better than the current champ, Kia Sedona, and four mpg better than the four-cylinder version of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, a model Toyota launched to have a lower-price, higher-mpg model.

Odyssey's city rating of 19 mpg, though, is about the same as others'. Not posted yet on the government's fuel economy.gov because there's a lag between certification and publication.

Possible ringer: Nissan Quest. Nissan discontinued the Quest after the 2009 model, but jumps back into the small and fiercely competitive minivan market early next year with a new design. Nissan's not telegraphing the mpg ratings (or other details), but Nissan, recall, is trying for an enviro appeal, spearheaded by its Leaf battery car late this year. Have to be a big jump though. Previous Quest was rated 16/24 mpg.

Aggravatingly, Honda won't say (yet) whether all versions of the van will get that 28-mpg rating. It only says that it expects the Touring Elite (and doesn't that... http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/2011-honda-odyssey-fuel-economy-could-crush-rival-minivans/1

We had a '99 Odyssey that would get 26-27 MPG on pure highway trips. That was at 70-75 MPH too.

The dodge journey was rated 25mpg highway...if Chrysler can make a people hauler that gets 25mpg hwy, then 28mpg from a honda people hauler is not that remarkable. Relative to the competition however, remarkability seems to fit.

It is worth a remark that the new Odyssey will beat the competition by a few mpg -- i.e., remarkable.

My Sienna gets 30 mpg hwy and prob 12 city. In mixed driving we are lucky to average 20mpg. I bought a heavily used Sienna to avaoid paying $30k for a FSP when I believed hybrid ones were around the corner.

I'm waiting for the Prius MPV 7-seater. The Odyssey is my fallback -- 25 mpg average is better than 20 mpg average.

Cheers, nf

What he said. ^^

It's a significant improvement over 16/23 or 18/25 even. That it soundly beats the new 2.7 I4 Sienna is remarkable. Now why can't they do the same magic on a 4? For comparison, the Mazda5 gets 22/28 with a 2.3L 4 cyl. It tells me Honda might be heading in the right direction again.

Still waiting on a reasonable mileage people-hauler.

Our '02 averages just over 22 in mixed driving and mid 28's on freeway only at 70-80mph. Now tell me, how is this progress?

For what it's worth, a 200hp large four cylinder would probably be a better fit. The 3.5L 250hp six never gets anywhere near redline.

Journey != Caravan

Our '02 averages just over 22 in mixed driving and mid 28's on freeway only at 70-80mph. Now tell me, how is this progress?

For what it's worth, a 200hp large four cylinder would probably be a better fit. The 3.5L 250hp six never gets anywhere near redline.

Yes, but that 02 is rated 16/23 (just like my 04). This new one, rated 28, should be good for 34 highway if you beat the rating by the same amount. (28 is to 23 as X is to 28, x = 34)

Mazda5 seats six (for the US) and is available with a 5MT. I totally want a minivan with a stick!


EDIT: ........aaaaand photos of the new Quest from Nissan:

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/07/2011-nissan-quest-photos-released-ahead-of-2010-la-auto-show.html

Disappointing news from the Temple of VTEC:
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=911815

We have heard from sources (on the dealer side) that the upcoming 2011 Honda Odyssey will indeed offer an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission, but it would only be offered in the Touring and Touring Elite trim levels. This would explain why Honda says all models will have the same VCM V6, yet only certain models will achieve the claimed 19/28mpg fuel economy ratings. Also note that in the current Odyssey generation, the VCM V6 (which improves EPA fuel economy ratings by 1mpg city, and 2mpg highway) is only available in EX-L and Touring models, so this isn't necessarily surprising news.

Bummer.

nf

Indeed a bummer. I'd hope even the 5-spd is still an improvement on the current VCM's 17/25 rating.

the old merc villager/nissan quest had the best highway mileage I thought. I used to get well into the 30s often on the highway with my old van, even after it was totaled. guess the ductape didn't affect the aero haha

Indeed a bummer. I'd hope even the 5-spd is still an improvement on the current VCM's 17/25 rating.

I know! Or at least offer it on the EX-L. I don't want to spend $40k for a Touring model to save 2mpg!

Remaining hopeful, nf

I just noticed the numbers are up. http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/specifications.aspx

VCM is standard on all trim levels. LX/EX/EX-L get the 5AT, while Touring/Touring Elite the the 6AT.

5AT = 18 city / 27 hwy / 21 cmb mpg
6AT = 19 / 28 / 22

Doesn't it seem a bit odd that Honda is getting 5% better city and Hy FE just by adding a 6 speed AT?
It seems like too much of an improvement for just adding another gear-probably in effect a slightly taller gear with all the rest just a bit closer together.

Anyone else think there might be some hidden Honda Trickery other than the 6 speed AT?

Nope, it sounds right to me, especially if the top gear got taller, as would befit a car with "Touring" in its name.

I believe 6 speeds will be more efficient for startups, smoother more positive acceleration

5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Gear Ratios: 1st: 2.697, 2nd: 1.606, 3rd: 1.071, 4th: 0.766, 5th: 0.612, Reverse: 1.888, Final Drive: 4.31

6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.359, 2nd: 2.095, 3rd: 1.485, 4th: 1.065, 5th: 0.754, 6th: 0.556, Reverse: 2.269, Final Drive: 4.25

0.612 * 4.31 = 2.638
0.556 * 4.25 = 2.363

If the 5AT has the same ratios as mine (2000 rpm at 70 mph), that puts the 6AT just below 1800 rpm at 70, or 1535 rpm at 60.


-------------------

My local dealer lists about $35,000 for the LX, $45,000 for Touring Elite.

$350000 for an LX??WOW!

My mistake! They don't have any LX in stock, of course. That would be silly. :p It's $35k for an EX.

Still, that means at least $32000 for an LX??

Just who in the world will pay the $5000 or so premium to get one more mpg?
Who will pay $35000 for an EX?
The Dodge minivans are maybe $22000??

What is the note on a $35000 loan-maybe $700/mo for 5 years?

Will they actually deliver 19 mpg with a normal city driver? Pretty good if they do.

Grand caravan starts off at 21,800 plus a 2000 cash allowance.

It's interesting to note that the top model of the odyssey costs twice that of the base grand caravan...

Who the heck can afford these things?? When went shopping in 2007 for Vans, went with the Sedona due to its cost and safety features. I just couldn't justify spending 10-15k more to get 5 more MPG and a Toyota/Honda nameplate.

New? Certainly not I. Ours was used.

The local 'yota dealer has the I4 Sienna (19/24 mpg) in stock for $26,000. That lower price will buy a lot of extra fuel.

The local 'yota dealer has the I4 Sienna (19/24 mpg) in stock for $26,000. That lower price will buy a lot of extra fuel.

That's not very good economy for a four cylinder...nor a good price either :(, though significantly less than the odyssey.

It's still the 2nd best mileage minivan available, and matches the best Honda for city mpg.

19/28 Ody V6 6AT
19/24 Sienna I4 6AT
18/27 Ody V6 5at
18/25 Hyundai V6 6AT

I'm still waiting for my Prius minivan...

The local 'yota dealer has the I4 Sienna (19/24 mpg) in stock for $26,000. That lower price will buy a lot of extra fuel.

And still 10k more than I paid for a 1 year old 12k mile Kia Sedona. There's no way I'm making up that much fuel cost in 8-10 years ;).

A 185-190" Prius minivan could sell for less than the LX Odyssey, and have EPA numbers of maybe 45/ 48 weighing 500 lbs more than the current Prius. I suspect that part of the reason Toyota went to the bigger motor in 2010 was to properly motivate the coming minivan.

Heck, Toyota could plop a minivan onto a Hybrid Camry chassis and end up with a full 200" minivan with EPA numbers of maybe 30/34 or so-AND STILL SELL FOR A HECK OF A LOT LESS THAN $45,000!!

Adding 14" and 400-500 lbs to the current Prius would be a smart play. It could seat 7 adults comfortably, and with fold flat or take out seats it would have good road trip carrying capacity for mom,pop, and dog empty nest type road trips.

$32000 for the cheapest Odyssey?? WTH?
Charlie
PS GM should be able to make a credible minivan. Their Equinox (EPA- 22/32) extended 14" with shorter tires and a lower roofline would get Odyssey type EPA numbers for a lot less than $32000!

Yes, that is expensive.

I'm still waiting.
- For the price to become negotiable,
- for CPO options,
- for the 6-speed on all trims,
- for the Prius MPV

We'll see...

nf