Honda Teases Next-Gen 2014 Odyssey Minivan for JDM

Last week we predicted that we’d begin seeing previews trickle in for the two upcoming motor shows – the ones in LA and Tokyo which both take place in November – around the beginning of October. Right on cue, today we have our first official 2013 Tokyo Motor Show preview.  It might not be the most exciting Japanese car coming to the Tokyo Motor Show, but it will certainly be an important one.

So, which Japanese car are we previewing today? If you read the title, then you know – it’s the next-generation 2014 Honda Odyssey minivan for the Japanese Domestic Market.

Both the Odyssey and the Accord nameplates designate different models depending on where they’re being sold… This Odyssey is the version for all non-US markets. It may be labeled for the Japanese market, but it’ll actually be sold in Europe and all over the rest of the world too; basically everywhere except North America.

What’s New in the Next-Gen JDM Honda Odyssey?

As you can see, in 2014 we’ll see the return of the tall roofline for the JDM model, which Honda has been going back and forth on since the MPV’s inception in 1994. Personally, we prefer the roomier cabin that comes with a higher roofline over the sportiness that comes with a lower one.  Aside from the extra headspace, however, it looks like the 2014 Honda Odyssey will be more compact as a whole. Compared to the US-version of the 2014 Honda Odyssey, the biggest differences can be seen in the front clip, particularly the grill.

Unfortunately, this is a preview for a reason…  We really don’t know much else other than what we can glean from Honda’s preview images. IndianAutosBlog, who originally reported the story using images taken from the official Honda preview page, had a few speculations to add.

First, it looks like there will be an “ECON” driving mode, likely enabling drivers to conserve fuel under certain circumstances. It also appears that there will be Blind Spot Assistance technology integrated into the side and rear mirrors, and an automatic braking system to help prevent front-end collisions.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on whether or not the JDM Odyssey will get the US-version’s super-cool HondaVac technology. It’s sad, we know.

It appears that there will be at least seven different exterior colors-schemes to choose from in the 2014 JDM Honda Odyssey, with either black or ivory color-schemes available for the interior.  It will likely be manufactured with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, powered by Honda’s trusty 2.4L four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT.

That about wraps up everything we know about the JDM version of the 2014 Honda Odyssey.  We should learn more as it gets closer to the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, so stay tuned for further updates.  Until then, thanks for reading, and come back tomorrow for more Japanese car goodness!