Fifth-generation Odyssey checks off all the boxes for the needs of a young family
2018 Honda Odyssey Minivans may have fallen from favour after decades of popularity, but that doesn’t change the fact they are the most useful family conveyance on the market – a point amply reinforced by the introduction of the 2018 Honda Odyssey. While utility vehicles may have become the hot ticket on the sales floor, they can’t hold a candle to minivans when it comes to accommodating people and/or cargo. By Richard Russell ▲
A life-cycle vehicle Minivans still represent a significant market for manufacturers, despite their declining numbers, particularly in the U.S. But more than 90,000 were sold in Canada last year – almost one in every 20 new-vehicle sales. Honda knows minivans are a life cycle vehicle, one that is perfectly suited to the years with young children in the home and the company has produced a fifth-generation Odyssey riddled with thoughtful features and clever engineering aimed directly at that market. ▲
Made for families Families are paramount in the design of a minivan. Honda has a vast body of loyal customers – 216,000 of them have had an Odyssey at one point in their life and provided a great source of advice. The new Odyssey’s designers took a look at their list of wants and dislikes and addressed them one at a time when developing the 2018 Odyssey. ▲
Easy to get in and out Ease of use and versatility topped that list. While they may not be sexy, minivans are lower and thus easier to get into and out of, especially to that vital third row of seats, or in tight spots. The sliding doors not only provide a much larger opening than swing-out doors, you don’t have to park metres away from a wall or adjacent vehicle to get the door open. This feature is especially appreciated when trying to wrangle little people into or out of their child seats. ▲
Improved child-seat access and safety Speaking of child seats, they don’t get any easier than in the 2018 Odyssey. The base latch points are readily accessed and the rear/top ones are mounted halfway up the seat back. Honda has placed heavy emphasis on safety and discovered a higher safety rating was available if the rear mount was not at floor level. It took considerable rethinking and additional strengthening of the seat structure, but the result is a double win – safer for the occupant and easier for mom or dad. ▲
Third-row access Honda says only 20% of utility vehicle owners use the third row. The number is much higher for minivans. The fifth-generation Odyssey has taken third-row access to a new level. The load floor is lower than in previous versions because a new rear suspension and the elimination of provision for all-wheel-drive – an unfortunate demerit point for the Canadian market. ▲
Sliding sideways But the true advantage comes with the clever sliding second-row seats. With the middle portion removed and stored in the cargo area or your garage, either of the second-row Captains’ chairs can be moved toward the center of the vehicle. Combined with the large opening provided by the sliding side door, this results in the easiest access to third-row seats of any vehicle in the industry. ▲
Room for real people If there is no occupant in the seat, it can also be tilted forward, but even with a child seat in place, access is a breeze. And, there is ample room back there for real people! ▲
Multi-adjustable Either second-row seat can be moved toward the centre and forward for easier access by mom or dad. Or to the side for maximum separation from a sibling to lessen the chance of “mommy he/she touched me” or similar complaints. ▲
Totally connected A neat overhead camera allows front-row occupants to keep an eye on those in the back. It is infrared so works at night – no need for a bright light, which might disturb anyone asleep, back there. ▲
And a voice from the front Should it become necessary, those in the front row can touch a button on the infotainment screen allowing them to speak to those in the rear through the speakers back there, interrupting the signal from the in-vehicle entertainment system should the wireless headphones be in use. ▲
Cargo room galore Minivans have a much larger cargo area than utility vehicles, one that is more easily accessed through those huge sliding side doors or a deep and wide tailgate. And whether stepping in or loading something, the floor is close to your knees rather than your waist! Fold the third-row down, remove the second-row seats and you can come back from Home Depot carrying a full 4 x 8 sheet, lying flat, with the doors closed. Try that in your utility vehicle! ▲
Deep well behind the third-row The minivan advantage is also evident behind the third-row. The Odyssey has a deep bin there that stores the seat when not in use. You can toss that giant hockey equipment bag or other large item in the cargo area with all three rows of seats in place. Long items can be easily accommodated with the third row down and one side of the second row moved to the side. ▲
There’s even a vacuum Further proof members of the design team have children is the provision of a vacuum cleaner built into the rear quarter panel. With a hose long enough to reach anywhere in the vehicle or to adjacent ones. ▲
Clean and clear up front While considerable effort has been expended on the rear people and cargo area, Honda has not forgotten those up front. For the driver, the instrument panel is clean and clear in all light conditions. The shift lever is gone, replaced by a row of push or pull buttons. This is supposed to save space but a similar amount of real estate is required so it is primarily a design decision. ▲
Bins and cubbyholes everywhere The designers made room for mom’s purse in a big space at the front of the centre console and a hook on the passenger side for another bag. The console has a wide flat top, including a charging surface for your phone. Inside is a deep, protected area for large objects. There are bins and cubbyholes everywhere you look, and in some places you might never look. ▲
Totally connected All the latest infotainment features are standard or available including a cabin control app for your smartphone so you can control key features from afar, 4G LTE Wi-Fi and video streaming, Honda Link allowing remote start, find my car and customizable app tiles, and eureka, a volume knob! ▲
All-new chassis As for the mechanicals, the 2018 Odyssey rides on an all-new chassis that is 40% stiffer and 34-kilos lighter than the old. It is remarkably quiet, with very little wind or road noise finding its way into the cabin. New steering and suspension systems have resulted in increased alacrity and less lean, but it is a minivan – not a sports car. ▲
More powerful too The 2018 Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-litre V-6 engine putting out a hefty 280 horsepower, up 30 from the outgoing model. The front wheels are driven through a nine-speed automatic in all but the top (Touring) trim level, which gets a new 10-speed automatic produced in-house. Performance is at or near the top of the category, with instant response from the transmission and lots of poke from the silky engine. ▲
At dealers now Arriving at dealers now, pricing for the 2018 Odyssey starts at $34,890 and tops out at a very competitive $50,290 for a loaded Touring model. ▲
Keyword: 2018 Honda Odyssey amps up family appeal of minivans