AlexAcura

I really really hope this is just testing of the new odyssey with acura parts..

I mean really acura??

You dont need a entry level coupe?
you dont need a mid size coupe?
you dont need a roadster?
you're taking forever to make the supercar?
you dont make your flagship sh-awd in the base model..?

but you give us a minivan, when the parent company in the same segment already has a minivan? who ever came up with this idea needs to be removed from his/her position and to never enter any car company ever again!!!

Will Y.

platform sharing, sorta like Oldsmobile and Chevy, or Plymouth and Dodge.

I look forward to the new Acura pickup truck with super duper SH-AWD which will sell in tens of units.

ttribe

Okay, it's certainly more likely that it's an Odyssey, but Honda/Acura have been silent about this even though it's been in the press for over 24 hours and there's a lot of Acura speculation on it.

Plus, the thread was more fun the other way.

ultimate_ed

I must say, I'm rather disappointed at the reception this is getting here. I currently own a 2nd gen Odyssey. I've considered the new MDX as a replacement, but it would be too big a hit on usable space. About the only thing competitive in the "luxury" segment would be an Escalade or a Yukon XL and I really don't want or need a truck like that.

The problem with the Odyssey Touring and the like is that it is still just an LX with some extra bits and buttons. While the basic platform and body shell would be the same, starting with an Acura grade interior and all the bells and whistles of the TLX would be a major upgrade on what the Odyssey Touring offers.

So, sign me up, if it comes to pass.

Ken1997TL

That rear suspension was never meant for any minivan. Again, it's a cobbled together prototype.

Remember the next Odyssey and Pilot will be based upon the current MDX platform. They're attaching new designs and bolting them onto what they have.

The point being, don't read into this too deeply and don't conclude it's going to be an Acura minivan.

AZuser

So what you're saying is if Acura puts out a mini van, they're just going to take sales away from the Odyssey

oonowindoo

how much is a fully loaded Oddy? 45k?

Add another 10k to that... are you willing to pay that much for a Minivan?

There has to be a big price gap so Acura won't be stealing Honda's sales but how is Acura going to justify the the additional premium when the Oddy Elite is already at 45k?

MeehowsBRZ

Wouldn't all the auto sites reporting on this thing point that out? Seems way too obvious for everyone of them to miss that.

SamDoe1

Even though sales of minivans are declining, the demand for the fully loaded and decked out vans is still quite strong. In the minivan market, the Odyssey Touring and Elite are more of the volume sellers rather than the lower LX/EX models. For a family, there really is nothing better than a luxury van capable of hauling 7 people and all their shit around while getting good gas mileage and having all the features and amenities they need. Not to mention how kid friendly a van is.

If Acura does do this, and good willing they won't, they'll likely just axe the Oddy elite and replace it with this thing while adding in AWD. I bet it still sells since that's what a lot of people want.

AZuser

I think the auto sites are just taking what they see in front of them (Acura badge/emblem on steering wheel, Acura beak/grille) and reporting it as is and putting no thought into it. They're likely also just rehashing what other auto sites are reporting.... just going with the flow.

I personally still find it hard to believe that someone was able to convince the higher ups that Acura needs a mini van to compete with all the other nonexistent luxury mini vans.

ultimate_ed

Considering that I have been looking at the MDX that easily gets into the upper $50's with less utility, I'd say yes. There's a lot that can be done to improve on the Touring:

Better leather and interior materials
More power and the 9 speed transmission
Remote start
Better driver memory options (seats + mirrors, steering wheel, pedals)
Better sound system
Jewel Eye headlights and other LED based lighting
etc.

Now, would this pirate some sales from the Odyssey Touring? Probably, but it would also probably pull some people who would get a Sienna Limited or a Town and Country as well.

Overall, I think it would be a win for Honda/Acura.

MeehowsBRZ

For almost any other brand I would think that... but this is the company that brought us the ZDX. I can't put anything stupid past them.

charliemike

You shouldn't have done it in the first place.

AZuser

Odyssey already uses 3.5 liter V6. Only way to get a good amount of power would be to combine 3.5 liter V6 with hybrid system like on RLX Sport Hybrid since Honda/Acura doesn't offer anything else. Base RLX Sport Hybrid starts at $60K. Loaded RLX Sporty Hybrid with Advance package is $67K. With all the improvement features you're asking/looking for, I'd imagine that would put an Acura mini van in the $60K-$70K range too or a 34%-56% premium over a $45K Odyssey Elite. I don't see much of a market for this.


I doubt this very much.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Most minivans are used to haul kids around.
kids and cars dont necessarily get along.

luxury and kids dont get along.

why get an upscale minivan when you can get an upscale CUV.

oonowindoo

If Acura can't sell a 60k RLX flagship, you think they could sell a 60k minivan?

SUV and Minivan share similar target group but the buyers' mindset are completely different.

SUV - 2 types of customers. One likes the safety and ride height with or without family. 2nd, family oriented but willing to pay more for SUV because they REFUSE to buy a Minivan.

Minivan - family oriented and space and safety are top priorities. All these handling craps are really not important, SHAWD or not.

It does not matter how good a Minivan is... most of the SUV buyers will really hate to get a Minivan.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

If this does prove to be an Acura, it'll fail, much like the MB R-Class failed.

Yumcha

Well, say there is an Acura minivan...I'd pay another $10K for that beak and Type-R-Vtec-yo.

fsttyms1

There is on our dealer lot with some options for 49,500

oonowindoo

if i were to get a Minivan....

nvm

just typing that made me sad...

ultimate_ed

It's humorous how little you guys know about minivan owners and what we expect out of our vehicles, especially Odyssey owners.

Thankfully, this idea is getting better traction on our side of the aisle:

Acura to build a minivan???

As for the comment about power, yes, it's the same Honda 3.5 V6, but Acura gets better torque and horsepower out of it running premium (higher compression ratio) and direct injection:

HP
Odyssey - 248 @ 5700 RPM
TLX/MDX- 290 @ 6200 RPM

Torque
Odyssey - 250 @ 4800 RPM
TLX/MDX- 267 @ 4500 RPM

Though, honestly, the TLX's numbers are rather low compared to other premium automaker's similar sized V6 engines - they do look to get better gas mileage.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

so, are you hauling around multiple critters?

I mean kids

ttribe

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I have to ask - So?

<-------[Has three kids. Doesn't have a minivan.]

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

so...... ?

ultimate_ed

Yes, I do have two kids. My point is that many of us aren't simply resigned to having something that handles like a school bus. That's part of the Odyssey's appeal already. Having it with more power and SH-AWD would definitely make me give it serious consideration.

As for why don't I just get an MDX? The MDX has about 40ft^3 of cargo room behind the 2nd row. The Odyssey has almost that much just behind the third row. Folding the third row away gives me over 90ft^3 of space and we use it regularly when we go camping and such. Trying to pull that off with an MDX or another crossover would require too many compromises and strapping stuff down on top of roof racks.

So, I suppose I am guilty of valuing my utility over maximum handling - but an Acura powered minivan would give me much more of the best of both.

ttribe

You realize that you may very well be a market of 1, right? Acura made this mistake with the ZDX thinking they'd found an under-served niche. That didn't go well.

MeehowsBRZ

I never understood why some people think having kids means you automatically need a minivan. Sure, maybe if you're Shaq and your 5 year old is 6' tall, it makes some sense, but for regular folks its just not necessary.

SamDoe1

It went just fine for BMW. So fine that they introduced an X4 and MB came out with the GLA. The problem was that the Acura was ugly.

There are a lot of people who would want a fully decked out minivan, I think you'd be surprised. Like I said before, the sales of the high end vans far outweigh the sales of the lower end ones. Honda sells just as many Odysseys as they do Pilots. The safety, size, cost, and fuel economy compared to an SUV is what draws people in. Add AWD to one of these and why would one buy an SUV other than to not have to say they have a minivan?

ttribe

No, the problem was not that the ZDX was ugly. The X4 and X6 are terribly ugly as well. The problem for Acura is they didn't (and don't) have the brand cachet to foist such things on their customer base. That problem hasn't gone away for Acura.

As has already been pointed out - How much more "decked out" does a minivan get before the $'s don't make sense anymore?

SamDoe1

I guess I can agree with the comment about Acura vs BMW but you can't tell me that the Acura was far more ugly than the X6.

I'd say as high as it goes for an SUV. You can buy a MB GL for upwards of $80k and that's the size of most minivans while getting much worse fuel economy. A $50k Oddy Elite sells by the thousands no problem. Why? Because it's got everything a family needs and more.

A car is a tool and as a tool, the minivan works perfectly for its application especially in super upscale trim. It's not a necessity as you can certainly get by with even a mid size car but everyone I know who has a van acknowledges the huge upsides to having one even though it's not cool to own one.

AZuser

I think it's fair to say I know plenty about mini van owners. I bought a Sienna for my dad early last year to replace a Nissan Quest to haul the grand kids around in. My uncle has an Odyssey to haul around the grand kids in.

Brother has 2 kids. No mini van because both brother and SiL refuse to own/drive one because.... mini van. SiL got a mini van as a loaner while getting her car repaired this summer. Hated it.

AZuser

MB can sell an $80K car because they're MB. They have image and brand value.

Acura can barely sell a $50K-$60K RLX, even after deeply discounting them. Acura would struggle to sell a $60K-$70K mini van in meaningful quantity to justify one

Tonyware

Could it be a pick up truck? Like the Acura Ridgeline? (luxurious of course LOL)

oonowindoo

Acura does not have the Gangsta appeal to pull off an Escalade EXT

SamDoe1

I completely agree that they cannot sell a minivan that expensive which is why, if this is true, chances are they ax the touring elite and make that an Acura somethingX and offer it at a $45-$50k price point. They already sell plenty of Hondas right there so selling an Acura at the same or similar price wouldn't be a stretch at all. My only question would be, what's the point? Might as well leave it a Honda and add the AWD.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Quick! Someone tradmark the SUX, before Acura does!

oonowindoo

The same can be said about Accord V6 touring vs V6 FWD TLX.

AZuser

Exactly. What would be the point? It would just be another Honda+ product which is what they don't need if they're serious about distancing themselves from Honda, because a $45K-$50K Acura mini van isn't going to have all this:

unless they're willing to take a big hit on their high margins.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I don't think you need to go with the sport hybrid setup to be more powerful than the Odyssey. The powertrain combo from the TLX would provide an extra 40hp.

The Pilot is from $30k to $42k.
The MDX is from $42k to $57k.

The Odyssey is from $29k to $45k.
I'd imagine if this is indeed an Acura version of the Odyssey, it will be somewhere around $40k to $58k, not $60k-$70k. Is $40-$58k too much for an Acura minivan? I don't know.

With that said, my understanding is that these spy pics are of a FMC Odyssey. But I guess we won't know until later in the future.

ttribe

I disagree, and here's why - For whatever reason, the SUV is perceived as sufficiently "cool" for only one person to drive. Think about how often you see a professionally successful man or woman driving around in an SUV; even if they don't have kids at home. Happens a lot, right? Now, try to imagine that in a mini-van...doesn't work, does it? I can't explain that, it's just the way the market developed, and for that reason you can sell an SUV to a much wider audience at higher levels of luxury and price.