Through five generations, the Honda Odyssey has consistently set the benchmark for minivans, adapting to the evolving needs of American families. The 2018 Honda Odyssey, the dawn of the fifth generation, elevates this legacy, delivering unprecedented levels of comfort, confident performance, and cutting-edge, family-centric technology. This iteration is not just an update; it’s a comprehensive reimagining of the minivan, designed to seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of modern families.
Sophisticated and Family-Friendly Design: A Minivan with Style
The 2018 Honda Odyssey breaks the mold of traditional minivan aesthetics with its sophisticated and modern design. Honda’s signature “flying wing” front grille, flanked by available LED headlights, immediately establishes a premium presence. The bold, sporty front fascia subtly integrates an Active Shutter Grille, enhancing fuel efficiency during cruising without compromising the vehicle’s dynamic look.
The Odyssey’s distinctive lightning bolt beltline receives an elegant upgrade with cleverly hidden sliding rear door tracks and a new “floating” D-pillar design, lending a touch of contemporary flair. At the rear, newly sculpted LED taillights and an available hands-free access power tailgate with foot activation add both style and convenience.
Stepping inside the 2018 Honda Odyssey, you’re greeted by high-grade materials, including a soft-touch instrument panel, creating an inviting and refined atmosphere. The driver-centric cockpit features a new 7-inch, full-color TFT display, while the center dash houses an available 8-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen (EX trim and above). Thoughtful material choices extend to stain-resistant leather for the first and second rows (on upper trims), designed to withstand the rigors of family life. Even the center console is designed with family practicality in mind, featuring a new groove-less tambour lid to minimize crumb accumulation.
In-Vehicle Connectivity: Keeping Everyone Connected and Entertained
The 2018 Honda Odyssey transforms the minivan into a mobile command center, boasting a suite of advanced connectivity features designed to keep everyone entertained and in touch.
New Display Audio System
At the heart of the Odyssey’s tech suite is the new Display Audio system. This 8-inch high-resolution (720P) touchscreen, standard on EX and above trims, is powered by a new Honda-developed, Android-based operating system. The result is a faster, more intuitive user experience with customizable app tiles, simplified menus, and a more robust voice recognition engine. This system acts as the central hub for audio, telematics, and connected vehicle features. Notably, for the first time, system updates for both the Display Audio and rear entertainment systems can be conveniently performed via over-the-air updates using available 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or USB.
CabinWatch™ and CabinTalk™ Technologies
Understanding the needs of families, Honda introduces available CabinWatch™ and CabinTalk™ technologies. CabinWatch™ utilizes a ceiling-mounted infrared camera to provide a clear view of second- and third-row passengers, day or night, directly on the 8-inch Display Audio screen. CabinTalk™ acts as an in-car PA system, allowing the driver to easily communicate with rear passengers through the rear entertainment system headphones or, in the Elite trim, through the vehicle’s speakers.
Connected Rear Entertainment System
Long journeys become enjoyable for everyone with the available Connected Rear Entertainment System. Second- and third-row passengers can stream video on the ceiling-mounted 10.2-inch WSVGA screen using in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, or a smartphone data plan. The system now supports Blu-ray™ discs and features a “How Much Farther?” app to keep passengers engaged during trips.
CabinControl™ App and Social Playlist
The innovative CabinControl™ app further enhances passenger control. Using a smartphone, passengers can manage the rear entertainment system, adjust rear cabin climate controls, and even send destinations to the Honda navigation system. The Social Playlist feature, integrated into CabinControl™, acts as a virtual jukebox, allowing up to seven passengers to contribute their favorite music to a shared playlist via their smartphones.
Conversational Cabin and Magic Slide™ Seats: Comfort and Flexibility Redefined
The 2018 Honda Odyssey prioritizes both connectivity and comfort, creating a “conversational cabin” that is remarkably quiet, fostering easy communication among all occupants. Engineers focused on achieving the quietest cabin in its class, enabling a low-stress travel environment.
This exceptional quietness is achieved through a combination of enhancements, including a more rigid and tightly sealed body, new front and rear subframes, triple-sealed doors, upgraded exterior glass, increased sound-deadening materials, and standard Active Noise Control (ANC).
Magic Slide™ Second-Row Seats
A groundbreaking feature for family convenience is the available Magic Slide™ second-row seats. These seats offer unparalleled versatility, easily reconfiguring to optimize passenger comfort, cargo space, and third-row access. The system is designed to accommodate various family needs, including easy access to the third row even with child seats installed. Key modes include:
- Easy Access Mode: With the center seat removed, outboard seats slide laterally, providing easy third-row access, even with rear-facing child seats. Sliding a seat forward also puts a child within easy reach of front occupants.
- Super Mode: Similar to Easy Access mode, but one outboard seat is set to walk-in position (slid forward and tilted) for maximum third-row access.
- Wide Mode: Center seat removed, outboard seats positioned outwards, creating a wide walkthrough to the third row.
- Buddy Mode: Center seat removed, outboard seats moved together in the center, placing two passengers in close proximity.
Safety Features and Performance: Peace of Mind and Dynamic Driving
Safety is paramount in the 2018 Honda Odyssey, with EX and above trims featuring the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Coupled with Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced airbags, including new driver and front passenger knee airbags, the Odyssey targets top safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating.
Advanced Powertrains
Under the hood, the 2018 Honda Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC™ V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™). This engine produces 280 SAE net horsepower, a significant increase of 32 HP over the previous model. The Odyssey offers two advanced new transmissions: a 9-speed automatic for LX, EX, EX-L, and EX-L NR trims, and an all-new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic for Touring and Elite models. The 10-speed automatic is a front-wheel-drive first, delivering unmatched responsiveness and refined performance in a minivan.
These powertrains, combined with a more rigid and lightweight body, new chassis technology, and aerodynamic design, result in exceptional dynamic performance and class-leading EPA fuel economy ratings. Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system, featuring a Snow mode, along with Agile Handling Assist and a more powerful braking system, enhances all-weather handling and control.
Advanced Body and Chassis: Foundation for Superior Ride and Handling
An all-new body and chassis underpin the 2018 Honda Odyssey, contributing to its incredibly quiet cabin and class-leading steering precision, handling, and ride comfort. The body utilizes advanced materials like ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum, and magnesium to minimize weight and maximize rigidity. Vehicle weight is reduced by up to 75 pounds, and torsional body rigidity is increased by 44 percent.
New chassis features include a highly responsive dual-pinion electric power steering (EPS) system for enhanced maneuverability and an all-new compact trailing arm rear suspension, exclusive to the Odyssey. This suspension improves handling and ride comfort while maximizing rear cargo space and allowing for 19-inch wheels on top trims.
Conclusion: The 2018 Honda Odyssey – Setting a New Standard for Family Transportation
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is more than just a minivan; it’s a meticulously engineered vehicle designed for the multifaceted needs of modern families. From its sophisticated design and innovative Magic Slide™ seats to its advanced connectivity and safety technologies, the 2018 Honda Odyssey redefines the minivan segment. With its enhanced performance, fuel efficiency, and unparalleled family-friendly features, the 2018 Honda Odyssey is truly in a class of its own, solidifying its position as the ultimate family vehicle.
