With the uptake of manufacturers offering three-row SUVs, it might come as a surprise to some to discover Honda has quietly introduced a redesigned, 2018 Odyssey minivan.
The minivan is the original family-friendly transportation choice for young families. It typically offers seating to accommodate up to eight occupants as well as their luggage or sports gear.
Their utility was noted long before the world ever heard of a sport-utility vehicle.
The 2018 Odyssey is available in eight trim levels, from the LX, at $34,890, up to the Touring, at $50,290. I drove an EX model, with a list price of $38,090.
In a segment that has contracted significantly in the last decade or more, Honda doesn’t seem to want to abandon the Odyssey. The obvious effort it has put into innovation tells me it is in it for the long haul.
There is a lot to talk about, so buckle up and grab your popcorn. Don’t worry if you spill some as there is a built-in vacuum cleaner in the cargo bay for those inevitable spills of chips, popcorn or sand.
To start off, all Odysseys can seat eight. But it gets interesting right away. In the second row of seats, the centre can be removed, creating two captain’s chairs. If that was not innovative enough, Honda engineers made it so that the two remaining seats can slide side-to-side (they can be removed, too, but few will want to do that as they are heavy and bulky).
Honda’s biggest competitor isthe Chrysler Pacifica. Their second-row seats can fold completely into the floor when not in use. You can’t do that with the Odyssey, as the space is where you would find the spare tire.
While the Pacifica might have an elegant folding solution, it entailed a compromise — comfort. The Odyssey seats are clearly more comfortable for adults because it does not need to fold up like a pretzel.
The Odyssey’s third-row seats do fold flat into recesses in the floor. There is only one release cable and the system is easy to use.
With both rear rows of seats folded, there is (depending on model) between 3,984 and 4,103 litres of cargo capacity — almost identical to the Pacifica.
When it comes to carrying stuff, nothing — short of a pickup — hauls more than a minivan.
Most of the time the Odyssey is tasked with transporting the most valuable cargo — children. Innovations have been introduced to make the driver’s job easier.
To keep an eye on them Honda has introduced CabinWatch, a rear-facing camera (only on the Touring model).
Most young passengers these days — when not tormenting their siblings — will be busy playing a video game, watching a movie or texting with friends. With Honda’s CabinTalk, the driver no longer has to scream at the top of their lungs to be heard. The driver can either use the car’s rear speakers — like a public address system — or get the word out through the wireless headphones (EX-RES models and up).
You will hear a lot less: “It’s too hot.” and “It’s freezing back here,” thanks to Honda’s CabinControl app. It allows passengers to control the rear temperature or add music to a playlist.
Move up to the Touring and the Odyssey becomes a wi-fi hotspot (connecting up to eight devices) with passengers able to log on to the How Much Further app, a child-friendly tracking application that allows them to track the trip’s progress.
While these last two features are indeed innovative, it is disappointing that buyers have to pony up for the top-of-the-line model to get them.
If you have children old enough to drive and you are comfortable giving them the keys, the Odyssey can help keep an eye on them with a Geofence alert. Simply designate an area in which your young driver can operate the vehicle — or an area of town they are told not to enter. If they leave or enterthe designated zones, you will be notified.
If the vehicle is involved in a collision, the Auto Collision Notification program (part of HondaLink) will check on the driver’s status and send first responders to the vehicle’s GPS co-ordinates if it gets no response. This system works off your cellphone coverage.
Most of the time readers want know how fast a car is or how it handles. When you are carrying the most valuable cargo in the world, the more important questions become how safe it is and how the kids are going to like it.
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is confirmation that a family-friendly cargo carrier is still relevant. It might not be as sexy as the latest sports car, but it’s the best logical choice when you have school-aged children at home — you can buy that sexy two-seat convertible once they go off to college.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Minivan, front engine, front-wheel drive
Engine: 3.5-litre V-6, 280 hp at 6,000 r.p.m., 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 r.p.m.
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Dimensions (mm): Length, 5,161; width, 2,110; height, 1,767; wheelbase, 3,000
Curb weight (kg): 2,026
Price (base/as tested): $38,090/ $39,915 (includes $1,725 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)
Options: Nil
Tires: 235/60 R18 all-season tires on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Regular
Fuel economy (L/100km): 12.6 city/ 8.4 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000-km new car, five years/100,000-km powertrain, three years/ unlimited km roadside assistance
