The Acura and Honda Blog EXCLUSIVE

Honda Canada has now released its information on the new 2008 Canadian Honda Odyssey.

One major change in trim level is a basic DX model will be introduced for Canadians that want high value, a fuel-efficient V6 engine and standard safety features in a minivan, it will be priced at $31 490. "The award-winning Odyssey is regarded as the benchmark in Canada'sminivan category when it comes to moving the maximum number of people in both comfort and safety," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda CanadaInc. "For 2008, the new DX trim is designed to provide added value for Canadian families without sacrificing safety, fuel efficiency or content."

Other changes are of course the mentioned refresh with new exterior styling, second-gen Variable Cylinder Management, new premium and safety features. New premium features include Bluetooth with HandsFreeLink (standard on Touring), 4-way Power Passenger Seat (Standard on EX-L and Touring), Rearview Mirror with Rearview Camera Display (Standard on EX-L), XM Satellite Radio (Standard on EX-L and Touring), new 17-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels (Standard on Touring) and Memory-Linked Side Mirrors with Reverse Gear Tilt-Down (Standard on Touring). In the interior, there are colour and texture updates and the addition of premium fabric for the LX and EX models. Also, there is now an additional storage bin in the available 2nd Row PlusOne Seat now standard on all trim levels except for DX, standard MP3/WMA Capability and standard Auxiliary Input Jack.

The Honda Odyssey achieves the highest 5-star crash safety rating by the U.S. federal government for both frontal and side impacts. Active headrestraints, designed to reduce neck injuries in rear collisions, have been added as standard equipment on all Odyssey trims. Odyssey recently earned the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008, the highest rating possible from the nonprofit research organization.

Other available premium features include Honda's Satellite-Linked NavigationSystem with bilingual voice recognition, an 8-inch screen and Zagat Survey restaurant guide information, plus a Honda DVD Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen.

There are two engine variations, the 3.5-litre, all-aluminum, SOHC VTEC V-6 engine on the Odyssey DX, LX and EX produces 244 hp and achieves a city/highway fuel economy rating of 13.3/8.5L/100 km, the Odyssey EX-L and Touring models feature a 3.5-litre, all-aluminum,SOHC i-VTEC 241-horsepower V-6 engine with VCM for enhanced fuel efficiency with a city/highway fuel economy rating of 12.4/7.8 L/100 km.

The new second-generation VCM provides the capability to selectivelydeactivate either two or three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration (instead of three, exclusively). The Odyssey's new VCM engine expands the cylinder deactivation operating range, which helps toincrease fuel efficiency in a wider variety of driving conditions and speeds.


Finally here are the Honda MSRP for the 2008 Canadian Odyssey

Honda Odyssey DX- $31 490
Honda Odyssey LX- $33 590
Honda Odyssey EX- $36 990
Honda Odyssey EX-L- $40 590
Honda Odyssey EX-L RES- $42 790
Honda Odyssey Touring- $48 890