Does the New Odyssey Complete Honda’s Resurgence?
Honda Gets Back to Its Winning Ways, and Manages to Once Again Create Good-Looking, Engaging, and Innovative Vehicles
Honda is riding a high wave as of lately. The new-generation Civic has earned multiple awards, including the coveted 2016 North American Car of the Year. The current Pilot is hands down one of the best SUVs on the market. And the all-new Ridgeline recently won the 2017 Truck of the Year award. By all means, amazing accomplishments.
Then there’s the all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey. Recently unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, it marks the fourth-generation of one of Honda’s best-selling vehicles in the American continent. Furthermore, it reinvigorates the minivan segment in the United States, which many thought had flat-lined. Although the outdated Toyota Sienna, the semi-defunct Grand Caravan, and the outgoing Odyssey sold well through 2016, it’s a segment much cannibalized by SUVs and crossovers.
Rewind five years or so, and Honda stood for tame, lame, and recycled vehicle designs. The Civic uninspired and abandoned legions of fans who found solace in other economical and vibrant rides. Meanwhile the Pilot and others struggled to find their true identity. Thankfully, such problems have been more than eradicated.
High spirits, smiles, and an overall feeling of pride floated around the Honda and Acura booths at the Detroit auto show. Perhaps the new Odyssey marks Honda’s complete resurgence, and they are no longer a step behind, but a step ahead. The next few years will be crucial not just for Honda, but all manufacturers. Rapidly changing technologies, consumer trends, and even political climates will prove difficult to navigate in years to come. Thankfully it looks like Honda is more prepared than ever.