Last week, the fifth-generation Honda Odyssey was revealed at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The family minivan has been completely redesigned for the 2018 model year.
A new Odyssey can only mean that Honda is staying committed to a segment that many manufacturers have dropped out of. Competition among the brands who build minivans has boiled down to a tight race between only a handful of automakers. Once it arrives in showrooms like ours, the Odyssey will have to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Chrysler’s new Pacifica, among others.
Keep reading to learn more about the Odyssey’s new and improved features. Find out why Honda understands minivans (and their owners) better than anyone.
2018 Odyssey Adds Family Friendly Seating and Technology
Magic Slide Seats
The Odyssey will feature Magic Slide Seats, innovative second row seating that gives families more flexibility.
You can remove the center section of the second-row to make captain’s chairs. Or you can slide the two outboard seats next to each other for a loveseat configuration. These seats are easily reached from the front row. They also allow passengers to have easier access to the third row.
Magic Slide Seats are also easy to remove entirely, giving you the most cargo space of any minivan on the road.
CabinTalk
This feature is designed to give your voice a rest. Calm your kids down by talking directly into the second- and third-row speakers. You can also communicate directly into the rear headphones if they’re watching a movie. CabinTalk will make connecting to your distracted family members a cinch, and you won’t have to raise your voice to be heard in the way back.
Rear-Seat Entertainment
Keep your kids from getting restless. Second- and third-row passengers have a 10.2-inch entertainment system. Play videos on the ceiling-mounted, entertainment system. Upload music on the audio system through an app on their smartphones.
Driver and Front Passenger Entertainment
Drivers and passengers have access to an 8” touchscreen infotainment system. It comes with an easy-to-use knob interface.
The single screen is an excellent improvement from the previous Odyssey’s dual-screen system, keeping all the information you need in one place so you don’t have to guess while driving. The new system is compatible with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™.
Improved Performance in the New Honda Odyssey
More Powerful Engine
The 2018 Odyssey will feature a 3.5L V6 engine with 280 horsepower. This is a whopping 32 horsepower bump from Odyssey’s previous 248.
More Transmission Options
You have the choice between two types of transmissions. Get a 9-speed transmission in lower trims, and a 10-speed transmission on higher grade models. This a great upgrade from the 6-speed automatic transmission of the older Odyssey. With this change, your ride will be smoother, and you’ll go longer between trips to the pump.
Better Handling
The 2018 Odyssey has a more responsive power steering system. Its rear suspension has been re-engineered. And its body structure is built from high-strength metals like steel, aluminum, and magnesium. So curb weight drops by 96 lbs. while body rigidity has increased by 44%. The end result is a lighter, stronger, and better-handling minivan.
Stay Updated with Asheboro Honda
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is set to go on sale this spring. Call or contact us at Asheboro Honda for updates on the 2018 Odyssey and all our latest Honda models. You can also check out our inventory of new or used vehicles if you’re interested in any other Honda models.
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