Anyone Care To Guess What Car We Exposed Being Road Tested In California?

Looks more like a Toyota to me.

— bobs4state (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 12:44:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

whatever it is, the driver looks pissed!

— Talli (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 12:57:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

A slightly bigger Fit, maybe Honda Fat?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 12:59:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Looks like an Odyssey from behind and a Fit from the front

— laurent (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:12:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

honda of some sort.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:18:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I believe Odyssey is to heavy for el-cheapo 4-bolt wheels.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:58:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

If it is a hybrid, I will definitely not bother.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:59:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The taillights look like toyota. The headlights look like the Honda Fit and if you can see in font of the side mirror there is a mini window, which is on some honda models. They probably are trying to compete with Toyota some more by providing more bigger vehicles. Next thing you know we'll have a Tundra sized Ridgeline

— asiancars233 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:33:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It does look like a new Odyssey. Except.. It has 4 doors.

— asiancars233 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:37:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The back doors don't look like they could slide back and could someone possibly tell me what that silver badge is on the back?

— asiancars233 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:39:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Whatever it is, it's fugly. That rear quarter window is just the ugliest design along with the "extra" window in the front. Both things tell me it's more of a European design though the taillights scream Toyota. Yes, the headlights resemble the Fit, but they've been on a gazillion European cars for years.

It is more Toyota-like than anything, especially the instrument cluster surround in the interior.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:08:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Is Honda creating a Venza competitor? It looks like some sort of Honda Fit/MB R-Class type of vehicle. Or it could be just a heavily camoflaged Odyssey. Whatever it is, its definitely Honda.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:47:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think from behind it looks like a Subaru. Maybe a Subaru minivan? It could also be the new Odyssey.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:52:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Its the new Honda Stream. Honda said a while back the next generation Stream (or a variation of the current one) was coming to North America.

— newzie (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:09:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

why couldn't it be the redesigned toyota sienna?
I'm not sure when the sienna was designed last (2004?), but the tailights sure look similar to the highlander; the front headlamps could be passable for a sienna

— Monk (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:10:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

whatever it is, its the best looking car ever!

— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:19:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Honda Fit station wagon.

That rear side window is not pretty :-(

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:37:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

This has Korean written ALL over it...

— Realtor33606 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:37:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

It is the 'nouveau' Renault Espace.

— nybimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:44:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'm 99% sure that's the Honda Stream. Definitely Odyssey-ish in the back and Fit-ish in the front. Plus, I believe those license plates are Honda Manufacturer plates. Weird thing is it is riding on Continental tires, which Honda never uses. They prefer the over-priced, crappy Michelin's.

Driver is certainly pissed. What is the driver pointing back at you?? Video Cam?? He might be pissed because it looks like you crossed the double yellow line to get some of these pics.

— cktoo (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 3:49:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Honda Airwave from Japan with a Fit front end. We've seen this prototype before. Last time it was tagged by Priddy as the new Hybrid vehicle from Honda.

— aznstuart (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 4:11:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

i think itz a new "crossover" to compete with the new toyota VENZA

— maximafan1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 4:25:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

001- That's gotta be CA Hwy-33 North (Ojai thru Los Padres National Forest to Venticopa Pass/ Maricopa). I see a bunch of testers there- whenever I do a backroad switchback run on that route.

— Lyall (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 4:37:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

aznstuart seems to be correct. This appears to be the Honda Airwave with some redesigns. Very good eye!! And ugly car/suv/subcompact/thing.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracinhamarco/2257532322/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Airwave

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 4:42:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

maybe new R Class. LOL

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 5:07:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Honda Stream knockoff for the NA market.

— opus (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 5:10:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Looks very much like a reworked last-generation Honda Stream.

Considering the new angular shoulder line of the new Honda Stream, and the very 90's doors on this car, it would either mean this car is part mule, or American Honda's get VERY scaled down styling wise.

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 5:29:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I have no idea how all these folks know whether this thing is very scaled down or up or hybrid etc..but, I could tell you it looks alot like a next gen. Oddessy which is supposed comeout with an hybrid.
The oncoming SUV is 97 Isuzu Rodeo btw.

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 5:51:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the wheels/tires look like ford. the front fender inner liners look like gm to me. the rear lights look like toyota, the fronts like a nissan.
that protective piece of sheet metal underneath in back looks familiar.
licence plate is the easiest way to figure it out.
i'm sure that manufacturers have a series of consecutive numbers.

— olscuul (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 6:58:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

well from the back those look like bmw tail lights. almost like a 5 series. so i thought it was some sort of bmw van. but then from the front the headlights look like big ass honda fit healights. so maybe this is the next generation honda odyssey

— CaliCarGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 7:26:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think it's next generation Toyota Sienna.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 8:20:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Ugly.

— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 9:38:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Honda Oddessey

— nSun (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 9:40:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

This is it. End of discussion:

http://www.honda.co.jp/AIRWAVE/

— bobs4state (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 10:52:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

I think most of you guys are right. It definitely looks like the Honda Stream. But since Civic and CR-V are built on the same platform as the Stream, why bother? It would make more sense if it was a mid-generation redesign of the CR-V (hate the nose on the current gen). And if they were bringing it here, I would think it needed a 6-speed auto, hybrid and/or diesel engine option.

...But what do I know? I don't work in the industry.

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 11:04:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Actually, I think the Airwave/Stream makes sense from Honda's viewpoint. Considering the current economic client and the price of gas, it makes sense to offer a lower-priced family hauler that gets better gas mileage. I won't be buying one, because I don't need or want a minivan, but if I were young, on a tight budget and hauling two or more kids around, such a vehical would be appealing.

— bobs4state (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 11:23:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

bobs4state, interesting how that's on a japanese language website and that version looks like a previous version, not this version, and the car hasn't even been introduced in this country yet. Yet, the two guys in the photo are not Japanese, and the license plate is California.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 11:24:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Its Ferrari's new hatchback. Check out those ceramic brakes

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 12:18:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

bobs, the headlights in the camouflaged pics look completely different. Much larger and more bulbous, like very large Honda Fit lights.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 1:04:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It looks like a Honda minivan.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 1:12:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Another dull ass commuter from Japan. Whoopie.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 2:20:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

nobody's even mentioned the unique C-pillar. i haven't been able to download the Airwave/Stream pic, but if it is the same, that cinches it.
the small window off the A-pillar is also not seen on many other vehicles, esp. non-vans. too small to be a honda or toyota van.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 3:39:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Honda is probably trying to go head to head against the Mazda 5 with this thing. If they are building it on the Civic platform just as Mazda is using it's 3's platform.

— Lavic (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 7:49:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It's the new Kia Sedona Minivan. or a Hyundai van.

— Bimmer4me (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 9:56:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It looks like a Honda something...

— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 10:08:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

OK Here's my $.02 if people are still reading.

1) The emblem taped up in the back has the distinctive shaping of a squared off Honda emblem.

2) The thing that looks like some kind of tagging on the back right of the hatch lid actually appears to be a Reverse lamp. Since it does not have one on the tails. Think Scion Xb since the new one has one reverse lamp in the bumper now.

2) Just because there is no track for a sliding door, doesn't mean it is not a new mechanism. Maybe they created a new type of slider. Or maybe they are offering two different styles of this car, one with doors, one without. Again, think of the Ford S MAX in Europe, has closing doors, and its cousing the Mazda 5 in the US, with sliders. Same car, two different designs.

3) The 4-bolt pattern is not really used by many people at all anymore. It could be just a quick setup since it is a test mule. Why exactly, I'm not sure, but given the caravan size of this vehicle it seems kinda awkward for only 4 bolts.

4) The front end definitely looks like a Ford Fiesta messed around with a Honda Fit. But the tails are somewhat Toyota.

Conclusion, the Odyssey replacement it is not, the Odyssey has too many points like the tails that go almost all the way across the rear hatch. The Odyssey also looks slightly larger than this, and it's hood would be more atune to the Accord then this. And the updated one out is waay too drastically different from what this would be.

I also don't think it is a Toyota, cause Yotas don't have anything that this really matches up to.

My vote, it is either some kind of Honda that is built to compete against the crossovers like the Taurus X. Wagon carrying room, a raised up ride, etc. But instead of giving it more of an SUV look, they kept it to a more caravan styling. That is my $.02, and yes it will be a new model, not an update.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 11:50:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Then there would be no point in Autoshows, teaser images and official release images, all ways of creating hype and interest for a model.

If they just said 'here it is' and parked it outside a Wal-Mart, it wouldn't have nearly as much impact.

Remember car companies are in the business of selling cars, and marketing is what they use to sell them.

If they gave the general public the opportunity to change the design before production it would cost the companies millions in re-tooling, put designers out of a job, and let's be honest, make the cars look rubbish.

Car companies want visionaries and professionals designing and engineering their cars, not sixteen year-old boys in Utah.

I don't even know why I resonded to your message it was so stupid.

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 11:10:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

WGAF! Its a minivan...lol

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 12:40:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Reading the full article to find out what it is. That's kinda a spoiler. They should have let people guess and guess then told us in another article or topic. Guessing was half the fun, at least I know I was right without having to read the article.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 10:51:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

This is a Honda based on the 3421 distributor plates. Toyota plates are something like 791.

— AE86 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/12/2008 1:41:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

My vote is for a Honda Fit Wagon. Looks like they are moving towards a Mazda 5. Not a bad idea. Mazda 5 versatility with Honda quality. Making the Fit a wagon is much better over a hatchback design.

— snuffytheoso (View Profile)

Posted on 3/13/2008 10:48:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the hideous C-pillar can only come from Asia.

Same with the ugly lights that are longer than the doors!

Odyssey??? You can't run a 2-ton mega-van on 175 series tires ... they don't even put tires that small on a base Civic anymore, do they?

Its definitely the Stream, which must be really tiny.

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/14/2008 1:36:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

its a small MPV to "fit" between the odyssey and fit. kudos to anyone who thought airwave right waway just like i did. it looks smaller though, and probably will have a civic platform and 5 seats. im guessing a 2.4 liter engine from the crv, or the civic's 1.8 liter unit if the 2.4 model competes with the crv too much

— saintdiablosaint (View Profile)

Posted on 3/14/2008 11:34:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1