Through five generations, the Honda Odyssey has consistently been a top choice for families, setting benchmarks for space, comfort, safety, and performance in the minivan segment. For seven consecutive years (2010-2016), it held the title of the most popular minivan among individual American car buyers, with over 2.5 million units sold in the U.S. alone. The 2018 Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation of this iconic minivan, continues this legacy, offering unparalleled features and technology tailored to the modern family.
alt=”2018 Honda Odyssey front exterior view, showcasing its modern minivan design”
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is not just a minivan; it’s a mobile family room designed with meticulous attention to detail. Developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured exclusively in North America since 1998, the Odyssey’s evolution reflects a deep understanding of the needs of American families. From its humble beginnings as a modified Accord platform, it has grown into a vehicle based on Honda’s Global Light Truck platform, sharing its robust foundation with the Pilot SUV.
| Gen | Model Years | WheelbaseLengthHeight (in.) | Engine | Trans | HP | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1995-1998 | 111.4187.664.6 | 2.3L I4 DOHC VTEC® | 4AT | 152 | Four swinging doors, fully-independent suspension, third-row Magic Seat® |
| 2nd | 1999-2004 | 118.1201.269.7 | 3.5L V6 SOHC VTEC® | 5AT | 210/240 | V6 engine, dual sliding side doors (standard), satellite navigation, DVD rear entertainment |
| 3rd | 2005-2010 | 118.1201.070.0 | 3.5L V6 SOHC VTEC® with VCM | 6AT | 244 | 60/40-split Magic Seat®, in-floor “lazy Susan” storage, ACE™ body |
| 4th | 2011-2017 | 118.1202.968.4 | 3.5L V6 SOHC i-VTEC® with VCM | 5AT/6AT | 248 | Power tailgate, cool box, LDW/FCW, Ultra-Wide rear entertainment system |
| 5th | 2018 | 118.1203.268.3 | 3.5L V6 SOHC i-VTEC®, direct-injected with VCM | 9AT, 10AT | 280 | Honda Sensing®, Magic Slide™ 2nd-row seats, CabinTalk and CabinWatch, in-car Wi-Fi, Honda 10AT, next-gen ACE™ body |
Sophisticated Design and Family-Focused Features
The 2018 Honda Odyssey sports a refined and modern aesthetic, marked by Honda’s signature “flying wing” grille and available LED headlights. Its bold front fascia incorporates an Active Shutter Grille, enhancing fuel efficiency during cruising. The iconic lightning bolt beltline is now more elegant with hidden sliding rear door tracks and a “floating” D-pillar design. LED taillights and an optional hands-free access power tailgate with foot activation add to the rear’s sophisticated appeal.
Inside, the Odyssey welcomes you with premium materials, including a soft-touch instrument panel and a customizable 7-inch full-color TFT display for the driver. An 8-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen, standard on EX trims and above, serves as the central hub for connectivity and entertainment. Upper trims boast stain-resistant leather seating, door trim, and black carpeting, ideal for families. The center console features a new groove-less tambour lid, minimizing crumb accumulation and simplifying cleaning.
alt=”Side profile of a 2018 Honda Odyssey highlighting its lightning bolt beltline and hidden sliding door tracks”
Connectivity and Technology at Your Fingertips
The 2018 Honda Odyssey elevates in-vehicle connectivity with a suite of advanced features:
- Advanced Display Audio: An 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen, powered by a new Honda-developed, Android-based system, offers intuitive menus, customizable app tiles, and improved voice recognition.
- Over-the-Air Updates: Keep your system current with convenient updates for the Display Audio and rear entertainment system via 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or USB.
- CabinWatch™: Monitor second and third-row passengers, day or night, via a ceiling-mounted infrared camera displayed on the 8-inch Display Audio screen.
- CabinTalk™: Communicate effortlessly with rear passengers through headphones or, in the Elite trim, through the rear speakers using this in-car PA system.
- Connected Rear Entertainment System: Stream videos, enjoy Blu-ray™ discs, and utilize the “How Much Farther?” app on the 10.2-inch WSVGA Rear Entertainment System with in-car 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
- CabinControl™ App: Control rear entertainment, climate, and navigation destinations from your smartphone.
- Social Playlist: Create a collaborative music experience with up to seven passengers contributing to a shared playlist via their smartphones.
A Cabin Designed for Conversation and Comfort
The 2018 Honda Odyssey emphasizes family interaction with its remarkably quiet cabin, engineered to be the quietest in its class. This “conversational cabin” concept fosters easy communication and reduces travel stress for all occupants. Enhanced cabin quietness results from a more rigid body, improved sealing, new subframes, acoustic glass options, increased sound deadening, and Active Noise Control (ANC).
Magic Slide™ Seats: Unrivaled Seating Flexibility
The available Magic Slide™ second-row seats are a game-changer for family-friendly versatility. These seats can be easily reconfigured for optimal passenger comfort, cargo space, and third-row access, even with rear-facing child seats installed. Modes include:
- Easy Access Mode: Lateral sliding outboard seats with center seat removed for easy third-row access and placing a child within reach.
- Super Mode: Maximized third-row access by sliding and tilting one outboard seat forward.
- Wide Mode: Widened center walkthrough to the third row with outboard seats positioned outwards.
- Buddy Mode: Outboard seats placed centrally, bringing two passengers closer together.
alt=”Honda Odyssey 2018 Magic Slide seats in buddy mode, showcasing second-row passenger proximity”
Safety and Performance: Peace of Mind for Families
Safety is paramount in the 2018 Honda Odyssey. EX and above trims come standard with Honda Sensing®, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, including:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Combined with Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced airbags, including new knee airbags, the 2018 Honda Odyssey targets top safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating.
Powertrain and Performance: Efficient Power
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC™ V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), producing 280 horsepower. It’s paired with either a 9-speed automatic transmission (standard on LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L NR) or an all-new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission (Touring and Elite). These advanced powertrains, combined with a lighter and more rigid body and chassis, deliver exceptional performance and fuel efficiency. Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system with Snow mode and Agile Handling Assist further enhance handling and control in various conditions.
alt=”Close-up of the 2018 Honda Odyssey’s 3.5L V6 engine, highlighting its EarthDreams Technology”
The new body and chassis utilize advanced materials like ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum, and magnesium, reducing weight and increasing rigidity. New chassis features include dual-pinion electric power steering (EPS) and a compact trailing arm rear suspension, contributing to class-leading handling, ride comfort, and cargo space.
Trim Levels and Features: Tailoring to Your Needs
The 2018 Honda Odyssey offers a range of trims to suit different needs and budgets: LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L NR, Touring, and Elite. Each trim builds upon the previous, adding more features and luxury. Key differentiators include transmission type (9-speed or 10-speed automatic), inclusion of Honda Sensing®, seating material (fabric or leather), and technology features like CabinWatch™, CabinTalk™, and the Rear Entertainment System. The Elite trim represents the pinnacle of luxury and features, including a premium audio system, wireless phone charging, and ventilated front seats.
alt=”2018 Honda Odyssey LX trim wheel, showcasing its 18-inch blade silver 10-spoke alloy design”
alt=”2018 Honda Odyssey Elite trim wheel, showcasing its 19-inch berlina black and machine finish paired 5-spoke alloy design”
Accessories: Personalize Your Odyssey
Honda offers a wide array of Genuine Honda Accessories for the 2018 Honda Odyssey, allowing owners to personalize their vehicle for enhanced utility, appearance, and protection. Accessories range from exterior enhancements like chrome bumper garnishes and roof rails to interior additions like all-season floor mats and cargo organizers. For those seeking adventure, accessories like trailer hitches, bike attachments, and roof boxes are also available.
alt=”A family loading camping gear into the spacious cargo area of a 2018 Honda Odyssey, emphasizing its utility for outdoor adventures”
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is more than just a minivan; it’s a thoughtfully designed vehicle that caters to the diverse needs of modern families. With its innovative features, advanced technology, and focus on safety and comfort, the 2018 Honda Odyssey remains a top contender in the minivan segment, ready to enhance every family journey.
