Honda PH to launch all-new Odyssey van

If you’ve been watching the launch of the all-new Honda Pilot, hoping for the Odyssey to follow suit, you won’t have to wait long as Honda Philippines is set to launch the all-new Odyssey. The catch is: it won’t be the upcoming U.S. model but the one built for Japan and Asian markets.

Not to worry, though. This Odyssey follows the US minivan style, beginning with dual sliding doors—power sliding ones, at that. Seating is for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim level. The seven-seater gets captain’s chairs in the middle row. The individual seats can move inboard or outboard, and slide all the way back, creating a huge cabin for four. The captain’s chairs can fold out for nearly-flat sleeping. Perfect for the worsening Manila traffic. The audio unit will be similar to the City’s, which can mirror your cellphone via its touchscreen.

Engine will be a 2.4-liter inline-four, to the benefit of (probably) fuel efficiency, mated to a CVT. Suspension is MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam rear.

That is, if we get similar equipment to the Thailand-spec Odyssey, which is highly probable. The Odyssey will arrive just in time to compete with the all-new Alphard that Toyota launched in January. For spare-no-expense family transportation, the choices are about to become more interesting.