Is The 2011 Honda Odyssey Going To Be A Sales SUCCESS or BUST?

Although it has yet to go on sale officially, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is one of those cars that seems to have a target on its back.

You know, with arrows already sticking out of it.

Like its sibling, the Insight Hybrid, it seems the press is just giving this car a beating. Not so sure, just click "Read Article" to see the horrid things the press has already said.

Take, for example, one press member's headline, which was "2011 Honda Odyssey pricier, fancier - uglier?" Does it get much more brutal than that?

With that said, is the 2011 Honda Odyssey on a path to failure or do YOU think it will defy the odds?

When a new car is unveiled to the public, the thousands of decisions that went into its conception often get lost in the hullabaloo -- along with the identities of the people who made them.

These are the experts who decide what the car should look like, what features it should have, and how many will be sold and at what price -- and do it three or four years before it reaches the market. As part of the process, they've studied the competition, vetted parts suppliers, and learned what makes their customers tick -- and then made some educated guesses.

They are the product planners, and their job today is more difficult than ever. The market is crowded and competitive, product segments are being redefined, and the choices they have to make have expanded exponentially....

[Source: CNN Money]

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g2ok - 9/20/2010 11:13:30 PM

+3 Boost

It's painful to see this Odyssey. This is epic fail for Honda.
Honda - stop smoking crack !

upwards - 9/20/2010 11:20:47 PM

-1 Boost

Love the front end, the rear 3/4 looks like they where grafted on the rest. The visible sliding door tracks make it look like a van from the 80's just terrible for something like that to be around in 2011. minivans as a segment are all dying 7 passenger crossovers still car based, just as good on gas and yet more capable are the future.

chetan - 9/21/2010 4:02:52 AM

-1 Boost

Nice but not like the model from the back glass

r15mohd - 9/21/2010 8:06:54 AM

+1 Boost

give me the Swagger Wagon (Sienna) before this ugly design...

Whelan - 9/21/2010 8:55:20 AM

+2 Boost

A success. It is one of the few cars that Honda does right. My brother has a current generation Odyssey and loves it. It is HUGE inside compared to the Chrysler/Dodge. The styling is pretty good for a van as well. The new Toyota has not made many waves other than touting its optional AWD capability which makes the price hard to swallow. A FWD minivan is very formidable in inclement weather and my brother has had no issues in snow with it.

I like the update and given that the Odyssey is VERY due for a new design, this will work nicely for them.

Now hurry up with the Accord wagon.

t_bone - 9/21/2010 9:20:08 AM

0 Boost

Once in a while a car deserves to fail based on styling alone. This could be the worst style fail since the Aztek, I hope buyers vote with their wallet and stay away.

richard112360 - 9/21/2010 9:59:49 AM

0 Boost

HIDEOUS looking design!!!! It reminds me of the Pontiac Aztec, monumental FAIL for Honda.

JLGolden - 9/21/2010 1:15:15 PM

+2 Boost

With the bizzare styling tricks on the '11 Odyssey, Honda is putting their van into a niche, with a more limited approving audience. By doing this, Honda is clearly NOT looking for sales leadership. However, I'd look at one of these if I were van shopping.

FatnSassy - 9/21/2010 1:19:33 PM

-1 Boost

Is this company on a suicide mission. First there was teh ACURA beak, the MDX the the Crosstour thing, the Insight. Please dont screw up the Civic.

LACMAN - 9/22/2010 8:18:34 AM

+2 Boost

The reason for this "minivan" design is plain and simple: Everyone is driving and buying crossovers now. (i.e. Quest) They are trying to keep this market interesting. I didnt like it at first but Im getting use to it. Im still not the person for it and I wont be buying one but I wouldnt mind trying it out if Im up for a road trip... Just sayin'...

veyron1001 - 9/22/2010 12:34:47 PM

0 Boost

It looks like a disfigured Ridgeline ute with a cabin in the back.

henry123 - 9/30/2010 3:20:24 PM

+1 Boost

I have never owned a minivan and have researched and driven all of the minivans out there over the past 3 months; 2010 Chrysler Town & Country, 2011 Sienna (twice), 2010 Routon (twice), 2010 Honda Odyssey touring (twice)and today the 2011 Honda Odyssey touring. I have to admit that I like the 2011 Honda Odyssey the most. The Navigation system (which is something I really want in a new vehicle) is amazing. I love the traffic report feature and the visual appearance. The 2011 Odyssey seems roomier. Driving it feels comfortable and not at all like I'm driving a minivan. I'm sure I've completely over analyzed the minivan market but that's me...and I have to say that I am now leaning towards buying the 2011 Honda Odyssey.

isabelkathrynsmom - 9/30/2010 6:39:14 PM

+1 Boost

I think it will be a "go"! I personally think the outside is terribly ugly, but love the inside. Honda invited Mom bloggers to a special test drive event... and there comments were all positive. They seem to be able to overlook the odd outside design "lightening bolt" and appreciate the inside safety and practicality upgrades. Many Sienna comparisons have been made... and it seems the Ody is running first in the eyes of those running the minvan world from day to day. I'll be interested to see how this all plays out and what overal sales will be. They are on the floor at dealerships now! Keep the conversation going. :0