2011 Honda Odyssey fuel economy could crush rival minivans

[Right Lane Cruiser]

All Odysseys, though, will get the same 3.5-liter, variable displacement V-6 engine

USATODAY - 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... [Read More]

[jsmithy]

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

[JusBringIt]

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.

[noflash]

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

[PaleMelanesian]

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.

[beatr911]

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.

[Kacey Green]

Journey != Caravan

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by beatr911

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)

[Nevyn]

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/straight...auto-show.html

[noflash]

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