[citation needed] The first generation Elysion appeared at the Tokyo Motor Show, in October 2003 as the "ASM", and was released for sale on 13 May 2004.

The upper trim level "Prestige" model was available with the J35A V6 used in the Honda Legend, producing 300 PS (220.6 kW; 295.9 bhp) and available with AWD.

The Elysion was first seen as a concept car called Honda ASM at Tokyo Motor Show in late 2003 and made into a production half a year later with some cosmetic adjustments to its headlight, front grill and interior to make it more commercially friendly.

The combination of a new 30% stronger high-rigidity steel, the Honda G-CON technology and the unique double platform with low central gravity floor, first seen on Merc A-class, allowed Elysion (one box car) to achieve the highest 6 stars rating by Nasva and become one of the safest Japanese passenger cars production ever, even higher than the competitor's luxury three-box (hood-cabin-boot) sedans.

The high-rigidity body also benefited to the overall comfort as the car handles any rough roads with poise, free of squeaks found in many older Honda vehicles.

The top-of-the-line VZ model is equipped with an IHCC (intelligent highway cruise control) and CMS (collision mitigation sensor) that works with radio-wave radar installed in the front grill to warn the driver if they get too close to the car ahead, automatically tightening the seatbelt and readying the brake, similar to the pre-crash system in the S-class.

Other safety equipment includes ABS (anti-lock brake), VSA (vehicle stability), TCS, sideslip, and AFS (adaptive front lighting) on its projector HID Xenon headlight.

[2] The compression ratio of 9.7 couples with an anti-knocking sensor and intelligent timing control makes it easy to take RON 95 grade.

A similar 2.4L engine but with different overhead and higher compression ratio of 11.0 that produces 200hhp that is used in Honda JDM Odyssey Absolute is not yet available at this time for Elysion.