Are you in need of the best minivan on the market? Look no further than the 2018 Honda Odyssey, which has secured some of the best ratings out there in the automobile world. Loaded with everything you want, need and expect from Honda, the Odyssey has earned the No. 1 ranking by Cars U.S. News, securing a 9.3 overall rating.
How did Honda improve upon the 2017 version of the Odyssey? They amped up the acceleration, bettered the family-friendly technology, expanded the interior, and even provided an easy-to-use infotainment system that anyone could navigate.
Even with all the great additions and improvements, Honda found a way to make driving the Odyssey better, as well. Improved acceleration and handling are noticeable, and there was no loss of gas mileage in doing either.
Normally, putting all of that on a price tag would see a large increase over the previous version, but Honda can get you in a brand-new Odyssey for just $140 more than the 2017 model. The base price starts at $29,900. While no Elite model price has been placed on the market, the 2017 version came in at just over $45,300, leaving most to believe that would be the same – or slightly more – for 2018.
Performance Specifications
Honda has given us several options for the 2018 Odyssey, with most carrying the same base-line features in terms of power. We start off with the LX Auto, followed by the EX Auto, EX-L Auto, EX-L with Navi/RES Auto, Touring Auto, and Elite Auto.
Sitting at just over 68 inches tall and 203 inches in length overall, some of the basic general features for the Odyssey include third and fourth passenger doors, power windows, privacy glass, rear defrost, rear spoiler, all-season front and rear tires, compact spare tire, aluminum wheels, power doors, power mirrors, auto-off headlights, keyless start, vehicle anti-theft, back-up camera, power steering and vanity mirrors.
Front-wheel drive will help keep you out of any winter-driving issues, along with the power of a V6 regular unleaded engine. The displacement is 3.5L/212 with 280 horsepower at 6,000 RPM with a torque of 262 at 4,700. The transmission is nine-speed automatic but does offer up a 10-speed model. Compared to the 2017 Honda Odyssey, the 2018 version offers up 32 more horsepower. Plus, the suspension is struts on the front and multi-link on the rear, with the transmission being automatic and carrying a manual mode.
Fuel Efficiency
All versions of the Odyssey get 19 mpg in-city driving and 28 mpg on the highway, which are very strong numbers for a minivan.
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Safety and Entertainment Features
Airbags are present for the driver on both the head and side, with passenger and rear-head airbags also packed into the Odyssey. Other safety features include brake assist, daytime running lights, traction control, electronic stability control, and child safety locks.
Through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test, the Odyssey presents “good” ratings in moderate overlap front, side impact, rear crash protection, roof strength, and moderate overlap front tests conducted.
To keep the family entertained, there is a hard-disk drive for the Blu-Ray player, an MP3 player, AM/FM Stereo, CD player, and an auxiliary audio port. At the head of the vehicle is a new infotainment system. It includes an eight-inch touchscreen with high-resolution, which comes with multiple connectivity options including Apple CarPlay and Android Audio compatibility.
Second- and third-row riders can watch movies and shows through a 10.2-inch ceiling mounted screen. The “How Much Further?” app also displays the trip progress for those anxious to find out when they can get out of the car and stretch their legs.
The Odyssey also offers new 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Using the CabinControl smartphone app, passengers can control the rear entertainment system, rear cabin climate control, and send destinations to the Honda navigation system. Also included through the app is Social Playlist, which allows up to seven family members to upload music choices to the Odyssey’s audio system.
Seven people can comfortably sit inside the Odyssey, with almost 41 inches of head and leg room in the front. The second-row sees almost 40 and 41 inches of head and leg room, with the third offering up 38 inches of leg room. The cargo volume from seat one boasts 138.5 cubic feet, with 84.8 for seat two and 31.3 for seat three.
The seats are cloth to keep the heating and cooling in-check, with power for the driver and passenger seats. There is also an additional rear seat, bucket seats and quad bucket seats. For heating and cooling purposes, the Odyssey presents climate control and dual zone air conditioning.
How It Stacks up Against the Competition
Matching the Honda Odyssey up against the Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica leave the Odyssey well-above the rest. More features, a similar price and better overall ratings make the Odyssey the choice.
The base model price is just 5.4 percent above the class average.
Pros
- Improved acceleration.
- Better handling makes taking tight corners a breeze.
- Easy-to-use technology for every generation with the infotainment system.
- Honda’s patented “CabinWatch” system, which allows for keeping an eye on second- and third-row riders.
Cons
- For max cargo, the second-row seats must come out.
- Lack of a three-panel moonroof.
- No dual touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system.
- No brushed-metal accents and contrast seat piping.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are taking an extended family vacation or just bringing the kids to and from sports and other activities, the 2018 Honda Odyssey is the pick for the best minivan on the market. Passenger-carrying flexibility, great entertainment features, the CabinWatch system, and improvements in when it comes to driving and acceleration make the Odyssey the ultimate ride.
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