Honda Odyssey 2021: prices rise for safer seven-seat people mover

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Staring down the barrel of a brand new Kia Carnival rival, Honda has given the current Odyssey people mover its second facelift, but the long list of new features have arrived with a sharp price increase of over $5,000.

All 2021 Honda Odyssey variants are now fitted with Honda’s Sensing safety pack that includes technology such as lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. 

In line with Honda’s new variant naming policy, the two Odyssey grades available in Australia have been renamed.

The base model Odyssey VTi has been rebadged as the Vi L7, while the top-spec grade – previously known as the VTi-L – is now called the Odyssey Vi LX7.

Both Odyssey variants are now fitted with a seven-seater layout, with the second-row bench in the base model now replaced with a pair of captain’s chairs – with a small walkway through the middle leading to the third row. 

The Odyssey Vi L7 also gains niceties such as keyless entry and push-button start, power sliding rear doors and LED headlights and foglights to replace the halogen fittings. 

Honda has given the top-spec Odyssey Vi LX7 a few handy features such as a power tailgate with a kick sensor to use when your arms are full, along with gesture control for the sliding doors so you don’t even need to touch the handle.

Inside, the dash now sports a larger eight-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with leather-trimmed seats as standard across the range.

The Odyssey originally went on sale in Australia in 2014. The 2021 update represents the fifth-generation van’s second facelift, bringing with it a more stern-looking design complete with a larger grill and sharper front and rear bumpers. 

It should also be a bit easier for kids to drift off to sleep in the back seat, with thickened sound-reducing glass added to the front and rear of the Odyssey, addressing a common complaint about excess road noise. Resonators have also been placed in the wheel rims to reduce tyre noise at higher speeds.

Powering the Odyssey is the same 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine 129kW of power and 225Nm of torque, which is then sent to the front wheels only via a CVT automatic transmission.

While Honda have been more generous with standard specification for the 2021 Odyssey, prices have risen commensurately.

The entry-level Vi L7 has increased by $5,110 over its predecessor, with a new $44,250 starting price (before on-road costs). Meanwhile, the top-trim Vi LX7 has made a smaller jump at $2,410, and will now set you back $51,150 (before on-road costs).

The Odyssey’s key rival, the Kia Carnival, recently relaunched in brand-new fourth-generation form with prices ranging from $43,190 to $63,490 before on-road costs.

Honda Odyssey 2021: Prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Odyssey Vi L7: $44,250
• Odyssey Vi LX7 $51,150