The 2018 Honda Odyssey is perfect for taking teammates to a game, band members to their contest or practice, or just the family to the mall.
This minivan has a spacious interior that seats up to eight, and it achieves up to 28 mpg on the highway.
On long trips for those movie lovers, Honda has the 10.2-inch ultra-wide Blu-ray Rear Entertainment System to keep them happy. Can you imagine going on a trip and never having to hear, “Are we there yet?”
There are key interior features that are also found in vehicles of the same class offered by competitors, but Honda leads with numerous state-of-the-art implementation.
For example, the 8-inch Display Audio system includes news and audio books accessible from the high-resolution screen. This touchscreen system also provides seamless integration with smartphones, and the interface itself mimics a smartphone or tablet, running an OS built on Android. The Elite model gets a 550-watt premium audio system with 11 speakers including a subwoofer.
The Driver Information Interface is an easy-to-read status center for the driver. Want to know the distance and time to somewhere? The “How Much Farther” app provides a fun way to track mileage and travel time to that destination.
Magic Slide is a new, cutting-edge Honda technology. If your goal is to separate feuding kids in the back, Magic Slide technology can do just that by allowing the second-row seats to be rearranged in numerous ways once the center seat is removed. The remaining seats can move laterally and also forward. Thus, it makes it easier to reach the children sitting in them.
With the second-row seats moved, it also allows you to easily get to the third-row occupants (no hitting please). Or simply remove the Magic Slide second-row seats altogether and fold down the third-row seats to create more cargo room.
The Odyssey Elite is powered by a 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that is capable of producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. The lower trims come with a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring and Elite models come standard with a 10-speed auto.
Honda has something called Wide Flat Cargo Management that can make space in the back to fit four-by-eight-foot plywood sheets, or a giant cooler. It is easy to load through the back of the vehicle because the power tailgate lets you set it to open to just the perfect height using the programmable height function.
Inside amenities include push-button (and remote) start along with a heated and ventilated 12-way power driver’s seat and a 4-way power front-passenger seat that are leather-trimmed.
Let’s now move to items offered outside. The Honda Odyssey is a street-smart minivan loaded with superb exterior features. Up front, LED daytime running lights, headlight with multi-high beam, and fog lights ensure a well-illuminated path ahead, making this vehicle safe to drive and easy to see at night. The vehicle comes with LED tail lights as well.
Sometimes it is the little things that are often neglected by auto manufacturers, but such are the details that can make a difference. Honda is immune to that problem by bringing a full set of convenient little items like rain-sensing wipers, one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, and heated power mirrors.
Honda wants to ensure safety above all else, and it provides driver-assist technologies such as its Blind Spot Information (BSI) system with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Intelligent Traction Management, a tire pressure monitor, and privacy glass.
The Odyssey is a magic carpet for a family that fills it with friends and cargo. A vehicle that is safe with superb comfort, the vehicle also holds the road well, even when loaded. It is easy to load cargo and folks; getting everything done quickly. With seating tech such as the Magic Slide second-row seats and the third-row Magic Seat system, you can make seating and cargo space arrangements safely and effortlessly.
Soft interior features, abundant lighting, extensive communication functions, and more entertainment options than a travelling circus pretty much describes the 2018 Odyssey Elite.
This fine-quality minivan has a manufacturer’s retail price of $47,616.
Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile Limited Vehicle Warranty
5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
5-year/Unlimited-mile Corrosion Limited Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile 24-hour Emergency Road Service
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or at [email protected]
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