2014 Honda Odyssey priced from $38,990

Honda Australia has confirmed the entry-level Odyssey VTi will come standard with eight seats – a first for the Japanese people-mover in Australia – while the flagship $47,620 Odyssey VTi-L will offer seven seats.

The new pricing represents respective increases of $3890 and $4700 over the previous-generation Odyssey and Odyssey Luxury – the prices of both of which were cut by $2000 in September in anticipation of the arrival of the new model.

The fifth-generation Odyssey also introduces sliding rear doors for the first time. The VTi features a one-touch power sliding door on the passenger side and a manual door on the driver side, while the VTi-L has power doors on both sides.

LED daytime running lights, a wide-angle reversing camera and a new audio system will also be offered, though Honda is keeping full specification details under wraps until next week’s local launch.

The $8630 premium for the VTi-L model suggests it’s likely to score at least some of the advanced driver-assist technologies offered in the Japanese-market Odyssey and seen in the top-end Accord VTI-L ADAS, which include auto emergency city braking, blind spot monitor, around-view camera, and auto reverse parking.

Equipped with a re-engineered 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), Honda says the new Odyssey is more than 14 per cent more efficient than it predecessor, claiming combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.6 litres per 100km and CO₂ emissions of 178g/km.

Honda also promises gains in interior space and passenger comfort from its fifth-generation people-mover, which has a 135mm-higher roofline, and is 70mm longer between the wheels (2900mm wheelbase) and 50mm longer overall (4830mm).

The 2014 Honda Odyssey launches in Australia on February 11. Stay tuned for our review of the new model in the coming weeks.