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Last Auto Account – Should Honda Bring JDM Odyssey To U.S.? Our actual own babbling commenter Ed (you apperceive who you are) suggests that Honda should advance a abate van for the U.S. market, as Mazda has enjoyed a big sales access of its baby Mazda5 van even in the bosom of a down market. To that we say…good point, Ed. And indeed, Honda does accept a abate van – the afresh ..Last Auto account – Enlarge Photo

Our actual own babbling commenter Ed (you apperceive who you are) suggests that Honda should advance a abate van for the U.S. market, as Mazda has enjoyed a big sales access of its baby Mazda5 van even in the bosom of a down market.

To that we say…good point, Ed. And indeed, Honda does accept a abate van – the afresh alien JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Odyssey. Alien October 17 in Japan, the car does not allotment architectonics with the American Honda Odyssey.

The JDM Odyssey “features a low-floor/center-of-gravity architecture that enables a low contour roofline and administration dynamics above archetypal minivans,” letters website World Car Fans, but retains a ample cabin. Basement central is abnormally stepped from first- to third-row in adjustment to acquiesce a bright appearance out for all cartage (think cine amphitheater staggered seating). A Honda 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC yields about 170 or 203 application depending aloft the model, and provides economical operation through a drive-by-wire continuously capricious chiral operating through a torque converter.

The American minivan has angry into added of a Maxi-Van these days, with aggrandized barrier weights abrupt beneath DVD screens, nav systems, subwoofers, dozens of cupholders, disposable barbecue tables, and added excesses necessities. A loaded Honda Odyssey tips the scales 4,600 lbs., and even with its actual able butt de-activation alone manages 25 on the highway. The accepted model, after the ambush butt deactivation, manages 23 while cruising.

The Mazda5, on the added hand, gets 28 mpg artery with a chiral chiral (27 automatic) and tips the scales at a analogously graceful 3,417 pounds. Added cogent is the city-limits mileage: 22 manual, 21 automated against the Odyssey’s 16 after butt de-activation, 17 with.

The Mazda5 may not be the acknowledgment for a ample family, and it apparently will not tow much, and its 2.3-liter four ability able-bodied be out-dragged by the Odyssey’s stout V-6. But as Ed credibility out, they’re affairs like hotcakes al of a sudden as Americans are switching to abate cars with greater efficiency.

So, what do you say, Honda? Perhaps you could advertise two vans – the Honda Odyssey and the Honda Modesty. The bazaar is ripe, and the van is already getting awash in Japan.–Colin Mathews

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