The Honda Odyssey has long been a staple in the minivan segment, consistently providing families with spacious, comfortable, and reliable transportation. Entering its fifth generation, the 2018 Honda Odyssey Van elevates this reputation further, introducing a wealth of innovative features, enhanced performance, and sophisticated styling designed to meet the evolving needs of modern families. This comprehensive overview delves into the key aspects of the 2018 Odyssey, highlighting why it remains a top choice for families seeking the ultimate minivan experience.
A Legacy of Innovation: The Honda Odyssey Evolution
For over two decades, the Honda Odyssey has been a leader in the minivan market, constantly adapting and improving to cater to American families. With over 2.5 million units sold in the U.S., it’s clear the Odyssey resonates with buyers seeking practicality and dependability. The 2018 Honda Odyssey van represents the culmination of five generations of refinement, researched, designed, and developed primarily in North America. Production has been based in North America since 1998, underscoring Honda’s commitment to this market.
While the original Odyssey shared its platform with the Accord, subsequent generations, including the 2018 model, have been built on Honda’s Global Light Truck platform, also underpinning the Pilot SUV. This robust foundation contributes to the Odyssey’s solid feel and capable performance.
| Generation | Model Years | Wheelbase x Length x Height (in.) | Engine | Transmission | Horsepower | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1995-1998 | 111.4 x 187.6 x 64.6 | 2.3L I4 DOHC VTEC® | 4AT | 152 | Four swinging doors, independent suspension, Magic Seat® |
| 2nd | 1999-2004 | 118.1 x 201.2 x 69.7 | 3.5L V6 SOHC VTEC® | 5AT | 210/240 | V6 engine, dual sliding doors, navigation, rear entertainment |
| 3rd | 2005-2010 | 118.1 x 201.0 x 70.0 | 3.5L V6 SOHC VTEC® with VCM | 6AT | 244 | 60/40 Magic Seat®, in-floor storage, ACE™ body |
| 4th | 2011-2017 | 118.1 x 202.9 x 68.4 | 3.5L V6 SOHC i-VTEC® with VCM | 5AT/6AT | 248 | Power tailgate, cool box, LDW/FCW, Ultra-Wide rear entertainment |
| 5th | 2018 | 118.1 x 203.2 x 68.3 | 3.5L V6 SOHC i-VTEC®, direct-injected with VCM | 9AT, 10AT | 280 | Honda Sensing®, Magic Slide™ seats, CabinTalk/Watch, Wi-Fi, 10AT, next-gen ACE™ body |
Sophisticated Design Meets Family Functionality
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van sports a refreshed and modern exterior design, moving away from the typical boxy minivan aesthetic. Honda’s signature “flying wing” grille takes center stage, flanked by available LED headlights that provide a premium and sophisticated look. The front fascia is bold and sporty, incorporating an Active Shutter Grille that enhances fuel efficiency while cruising.
The Odyssey’s distinctive “lightning bolt” beltline is refined, now featuring hidden sliding rear door tracks and a “floating” D-pillar design, adding a touch of elegance. At the rear, newly designed LED taillights and an available hands-free access power tailgate with foot activation further elevate the modern appeal.
Inside, the cabin is crafted with high-grade materials, including a soft-touch instrument panel. A new 7-inch full-color TFT display in the driver’s meter and an available 8-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen (EX and above) provide a tech-forward feel. Upper trims offer stain-resistant leather seating and door trim, along with black carpeting and seatbelts designed for real-world family use.
Cutting-Edge In-Vehicle Connectivity
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van truly shines in its connectivity offerings, designed to keep families entertained and connected on the go. Key highlights include:
- New Display Audio System: An 8-inch high-resolution (720P) touchscreen powered by a new Honda-developed, Android-based operating system. This system is faster, more intuitive, and features customizable app tiles and a robust voice recognition engine.
- Over-the-Air System Updates: For the first time, Odyssey owners can conveniently update the Display Audio and rear entertainment systems via 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or USB.
- CabinWatch™: A ceiling-mounted camera with infrared capability allows the driver and front passenger to monitor second and third-row passengers, day or night, via the 8-inch Display Audio screen.
- CabinTalk™: This in-car PA system allows the driver to easily communicate with rear passengers through the rear entertainment system headphones or, in the Elite trim, through the second and third-row speakers.
- Connected Rear Entertainment System: A 10.2-inch WSVGA screen enables streaming video via available 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 track trip progress.
- CabinControl™ App: A downloadable smartphone app enables passengers to control the rear entertainment, climate, and even send destinations to the navigation system.
- Social Playlist: A CabinControl feature that acts as a virtual jukebox, allowing up to seven passengers to contribute music to a shared playlist via their smartphones.
A Cabin Designed for Conversation and Flexibility
Honda engineers focused on creating a “conversational cabin” for the 2018 Honda Odyssey van, targeting class-leading quietness to facilitate easy communication and reduce travel stress. Enhanced cabin quietness is achieved through a more rigid body, triple-sealed doors, upgraded glass, increased sound deadening materials, and standard Active Noise Control (ANC).
Magic Slide™ Second-Row Seats: A Game Changer
A standout innovation is the available Magic Slide™ second-row seats. These seats offer unparalleled flexibility, easily reconfiguring for passenger comfort, cargo hauling, and third-row access, even with child seats installed. Key modes include:
- Easy Access Mode: With the center seat removed, outboard seats slide laterally for easy third-row access, even with rear-facing child seats. Sliding a seat forward also puts a child within easier reach of front occupants.
- Super Mode: Similar to Easy Access mode, but with one outboard seat in “walk-in” position for maximum third-row access.
- Wide Mode: With the center seat removed and outboard seats positioned outwards, creating a wide walkthrough to the third row.
- Buddy Mode: With the center seat removed and outboard seats moved together in the center, placing two passengers in close proximity.
Safety and Performance: Prioritizing Family Well-being
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van prioritizes safety with the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, standard on EX and above trims. This suite includes:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Combined with the Odyssey’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced airbags, including new knee airbags, the 2018 Odyssey targets top safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating.
Advanced Powertrains for Efficiency and Power
Powering the 2018 Honda Odyssey van is a 3.5-liter, direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC™ V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), producing 280 horsepower. This engine is paired with two new, advanced transmissions: a 9-speed automatic (standard on LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L NR) and an all-new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic (Touring and Elite). The 10-speed automatic is a segment-first for front-wheel-drive vehicles, delivering enhanced responsiveness and refined performance.
These new powertrains, combined with a more rigid and lightweight body and advanced chassis technology, result in impressive dynamic performance and top-in-class EPA fuel economy ratings. Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system, adding a Snow mode, further enhances all-weather handling and control.
Advanced Body and Chassis: Foundation for Refinement
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van utilizes an all-new body and chassis design, contributing to its incredibly quiet cabin, class-leading steering precision, handling, and ride comfort. The body incorporates 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 responsive dual-pinion electric power steering (EPS) and a compact trailing arm rear suspension, exclusive to the Odyssey, which improves handling, ride comfort, and allows for a spacious cargo area and the availability of 19-inch wheels on top trims.
Trim Levels and Key Features
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van is available in multiple trim levels, each offering a distinct set of features to cater to various family needs and budgets:
- LX: The base model offers a strong foundation with a 9-speed automatic transmission, 7-speaker audio system, and essential safety features.
- EX: Adds popular features like Magic Slide™ second-row seats, Honda Sensing®, Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power sliding doors, and Blind Spot Information System.
- EX-L: Steps up with leather-trimmed interior, power moonroof, power tailgate, and HomeLink system.
- EX-L NR (Navigation/Rear Entertainment): Enhances the EX-L with integrated navigation, rear entertainment system with Blu-ray/DVD player, CabinTalk, and a 115-volt power outlet.
- Touring: Boasts the 10-speed automatic transmission, CabinWatch, mobile hotspot capability, HondaVac, hands-free access power tailgate, LED headlights and fog lights, and parking sensors.
- Elite: The top-of-the-line trim includes premium audio system, wireless phone charger, heated steering wheel and front seats (ventilated front seats as well), ambient lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and power-folding door mirrors.
Conclusion: The 2018 Honda Odyssey Van – A Minivan Redefined
The 2018 Honda Odyssey van is more than just a minivan; it’s a meticulously engineered family vehicle designed for the demands of modern life. With its innovative features like Magic Slide seats, CabinWatch and CabinTalk, advanced technology, refined driving dynamics, and top-tier safety ratings, the 2018 Odyssey continues to set the benchmark in the minivan segment. Whether it’s daily commutes, weekend adventures, or long road trips, the 2018 Honda Odyssey van is equipped to provide families with unparalleled comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.
