2014 Honda Odyssey Gaining Standard 6-Speed Auto
Minivans are the most economical way to move lots of people and stuff. They’re spacious, comfortable and pretty carlike from a driving perspective. Good news for enthusiasts of the genre, Honda is updating its class-leading Odyssey for the 2014 model year.
Rumor has it this not-so-mini van will gain a host of meaningful improvements following a mid-cycle update. Undoubtedly the most significant change has to do with the vehicle’s drivetrain. A six-speed automatic transmission will supposedly be made standard across the board.
Today a functionally fine but outdated five-speed unit handles shifting duties on all but the highest-trim Odysseys. This cog-crate update is a welcome improvement and should help keep the van competitive in a market where six-, seven- and eight-speed units are rapidly becoming the norm.
SEE ALSO: 2011 Honda Odyssey Review
Other alleged upgrades to Honda’s handy hauler include the addition of an “EarthDreams” V6 engine that should offer better fuel economy, lane watch and lane departure warning, available LED headlamps and tail lights as well as adaptive cruise control, just to name a few.
Dealers could begin accepting orders for the 2014 Honda Odyssey as early as next month. This timing indicates the refreshed van should go on-sale sometime in the summer.
Discuss this story at OdysseyOwnersClub.com
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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