Honda Orthia


The Honda Orthia is a compact station wagon manufactured by Honda exclusively for the Japanese market between 1996 and 2002. Based on the sixth generation Civic chassis, it was introduced in February 1996 as what Honda called a "Sport Utility Wagon" and initially sold at both Honda Verno and Honda Primo dealerships. The name "orthia", a variation of the Greek word orithyia, comes from Artemis Orthia in Greek mythology.
The Orthia was available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations. It is powered with either 1,834 cc B18B DOHC inline-four or 1,972 cc B20B DOHC inline-four engines.
Orthias were made available during the 1996 launch from either Primo or Verno dealerships. 1996 Models feature a "V" or "P" badge on the trunk to denote between Verno and Primo. The Orthia Verno models also feature Amber/Red taillights and round type fog lights, while Primo models feature Clear/Red taillights and rectangular fog lights. The following trims were available at launch:
On February 13th, 1997 the Orthia went under a minor facelift with driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags installed as standard. The Orthia Primo also was discontinued with no future Orthia models featuring "V" or "P" badge on the trunk.
On January 22nd 1998, Honda announced improvements to the Orthia. These included
  • Factory tinted heat and UV absorbent glass fitted as standard
  • Power folding door mirrors fitted as standard
  • A new trim option, the 2.0GX-S Aero
The 2.0GX-S Aero introduced for the 1998 model year included a special lip kit, carbon fiber patterned interior trim, special red and black pattern seats, a 3 spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, color matched fog light protectors, and was available in either front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
A facelift in June 1999 saw only the 2.0 L B20B engine option available and a new method of designating the trim levels. The facelift model has new front and rear bumpers, new patterned seat fabric, new taillights, and a double din radio bezel as standard. The new trim levels were as follows:
  • B
  • M. This model features color matched side molding and optional satellite navigation.
  • M4.
  • L4. This model features a two tone paint scheme with color matched side molding, alloy wheels, and wood grain patterned interior trim
  • S. This model features a special lip kit, carbon fiber patterned interior trim, special pattern seats, a 3 spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, color matched fog light protectors, and was available in either front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
Production of Orthia stopped in January 2002 while its sibling, the Partner, continued until March 2006. The Orthia was replaced by the Airwave station wagon and Stream minivan.
The Honda Orthia finds itself a increasingly popular platform for modification due to its low price and legality for import to the United States. Being based on the 6th generation Civic platform, this allows many options for engine swaps, suspension modifications, and body modifications. Popular engine swaps include the VTEC Honda B engines and Honda K engines. With a minor amount of body work, the front end of a 1996-2000 Civic can be installed, allowing for the creation of a "Civic Wagon" or "Civic Aerodeck".

Honda Partner (EY6/EY7/EY8/EY9; 1996–2006)

A commercial van version of the Orthia, called Honda Partner was introduced on March 15, 1996. It is powered with either the 1,343 cc D13, the 1,493 cc D15, or the 1,590 cc D16 inline-four engines. The 1.6 L engine-powered Partner was Honda's first Low Emission Vehicle. Anti-lock braking system was installed in January 1998 and the vehicle was brought into year 2000 emissions compliance along with a driver-side airbag as standard equipment.