Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey launched in Australia in 1995 and immediately stood out in the people mover segment. While rivals like the Toyota Tarago and Mitsubishi Nimbus were tall, van-like vehicles, the Odyssey was low-slung with a car-like roofline. Built on a modified Accord platform, it drove like a large sedan rather than a minivan. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder with a smooth 4-speed automatic was adequate rather than exciting, but the chassis dynamics were a class above. It seated seven with a clever fold-flat third row and was priced from $36,990. Australian families who test-drove it were often surprised by how un-van-like it felt.

The second-generation Odyssey (RA6-RA9) arrived in 2000 with a significant step up in size and refinement. The 2.3-litre VTEC four-cylinder carried over as the base engine, but the big news was the addition of a 3.0-litre V6 producing 149kW - enough to make the Odyssey genuinely quick for a people mover. Electric sliding rear doors on higher trims were a novelty in the segment, and the interior offered both 6 and 7-seat configurations. Build quality was excellent, and the Odyssey developed a reputation for reliability that its Korean and domestic rivals couldn't match. It sold steadily through to 2004, competing primarily with the Tarago and the increasingly popular Kia Carnival.

Australia skipped the third-generation Odyssey (which was a North American-market model) and went straight to the fourth-generation RB in 2009. This was arguably the best Odyssey for Australian buyers. The 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine paired with a CVT offered smooth, efficient performance, while the low floor and flat-folding 'magic seats' in the third row made it incredibly versatile. The Luxury variant added leather, satellite navigation, and a rear entertainment system. It earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and was praised by Australian automotive media for its car-like handling. Priced from $39,990, it offered strong value against the Carnival and Tarago.

Honda discontinued the Odyssey in Australia in 2014 when the fourth-generation model reached the end of its lifecycle. The decision reflected shifting market preferences - Australian families were increasingly choosing SUVs like the CR-V over traditional people movers. Honda chose not to import the fifth-generation Odyssey, which continued in Japan and North America. The exit left a gap in Honda's local lineup for larger families, though the HR-V and CR-V absorbed some of that demand. The Odyssey remains fondly remembered by owners for its reliability, clever packaging, and the way it drove more like a car than a van.