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2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name

Sanjay ยท Jan 10, 2021 01:00 PM

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 01

For a select few who dare to be different, the Honda Odyssey is what pops in their mind if someone says '7-seater Japanese MPV'. As we start the new year and look towards welcoming the Odyssey here in Malaysia sometime in 2021, let's take a look at the differences between the Japan- and American-spec Odyssey. 

Same name, different cars

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 02

First-gen 1994 Odyssey.

Yes they share the same name, but both cars are actually rather different. You have customer choices to thank for that. 

The first-generation Odyssey was launched in 20-October 1994 after many, many development hurdles. Essentially, it came at a time when interest in sedans were dwindling (not that it's any different today) following Japan's economic crisis of the 1990s, and was Honda's answer in the then-growing Recreational Vehicle (RV) segment. 

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2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 01

The second-gen Odyssey in North America. It was sold as the Honda LaGreat in Japan, but didn't do too well.

Alas, it was a little small for Americans and subsequently didn't really do too well Stateside. Subsequent generations of the Odyssey introduced different market variations - chief among which is the U.S.-spec Odyssey that was introduced in 1998.

The most glaring variation between both markets' cars is the size: the Odyssey sold in America has always been larger than the Japan-spec one. This is also because of Japan's taxation system that is based on a car's body size.

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 02

The Odyssey we have in Malaysia currently. 

Also, the older Odysseys had to deal with Japanese car parks' height limits, which made them lower. However, since the Honda Elysion was discontinued, the Odyssey had to play double-roles again so up went the height.

For Malaysians though, we get the Japan-spec Odyssey, and the model you see here in this post is earmarked for introduction here sometime this year.

Dimensions - which is bigger?

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Let's start with the figurative elephant in the room: as you'd expect, the United States domestic market (USDM) car is much bigger and heavier compared to the Japanese domestic market (JDM) car. Here's how they match up:

2021 Honda Odyssey JDM vs USDM dimensions
Dimensions Honda Odyssey (JDM) Honda Odyssey (USDM)
Length 4,855 mm 5,212 mm
Height 1,695 mm 1,735 mm
Width 1,820 mm 1,994 mm
Wheelbase 2,900 mm 3,000 mm
Weight

1,770 - 1,930 kg*

*Depending on variant

1,995 - 2,088 kg*

*Depending on variant

The U.S.-spec Odyssey then addresses the main concerns that caused it to branch out from the Japan-spec in the first place: size and space constraints.

Exterior - Japan-spec looks cooler

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 04

Looks are subjective, but in some cases there may just be a unanimous winner. Case in point is how much better the Japan-spec Odyssey looks like compared to its American counterpart. It's sleeker, with a more windswept profile compared to the American car. 

We really love the wheels on the JDM-spec Odyssey - talk about looking fast!

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 05

Same goes to the front and rear fascias - while both get LED head and tail lights, their styles are rather different. The JDM version is more imposing and looks more in-line with Honda's current design language, while the USDM one looks a bit last-gen. 

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 06

The treatments round the back are different too - notice how the JDM one looks more 'current', with a tail lamp design that looks similar to the units on our Honda City. Meanwhile, the USDM one has a taillight pattern that mirrors our Honda Accord.  

Interior - US-spec looks techier

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 07

Much like the outside, the USDM Odyssey has a completely different cabin with a different dashboard, centre console and even upholstery shades. The USDM Odyssey's dashboard is a little more space-age with a push-button gear selector and digital instrument cluster. 

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 08

Meanwhile the JDM Odyssey looks a few notches simpler but it's no less high-tech. The JDM Odyssey comes with a conventional gear selector and analogue instrument cluster. There's also a semi-digital cluster, but that's only on the e:HEV hybrid variants of the Odyssey.

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 09

Seating for 7 is unchanged across both models, with nifty creature comforts choices for different markets.

2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name 10

What would you rather have?

For example, the JDM Odyssey can be specified with a 100W power outlet (great for camping), while the USDM one comes with CabinWatch - a camera-based system that reminds drivers of rear-seat occupants before they leave their vehicle.

And of course, don't forget there's two different ways of flexing your Odyssey's rear doors too. The JDM Odyssey's latest talking point is the gesture-controlled sliding doors. The US-spec car also has powered sliding doors, but that's controlled only by the keyfob. 

Powertrain - also different

The JDM spec Odyssey comes with two powertrain options: a pure petrol, 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder mill and a petrol-electric hybrid option:

2021 Honda Odyssey JDM specs
Variant Powertrain
JDM Odyssey (Absolute)

2.4-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four

175 PS, 225 Nm

CVT

JDM Odyssey (Absolute e:HEV)

2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-four

145 PS, 175 Nm

Electric motor: 184 PS, 314 Nm

e-CVT

USDM Odyssey

3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6

280 PS, 355 Nm

10-speed automatic

Ready for an Odyssey in Malaysia?

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As mentioned, we've been traditionally receiving the JDM Odyssey here in Malaysia, and it's not something that will change for the next itieration. So far, there's been not much information shared about when the facelifted Odyssey will make its way here, but do keep your eyes peeled on WapCar.my for more on the upcoming Odyssey.

Sanjay

Senior Writer

With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.

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