2018 Honda Odyssey Makes American Debut

First unveiled at this year’s Detroit Auto Show in January, Honda America officially launched the all-new 2018 Odyssey in the US yesterday.

Built in Honda’s plant in Alabama, the US Odyssey is destined only for the US and Canada markets and will not be heading to this part of the world as our market gets a significantly different version which is built in Japan.

According to Honda America, the 2018 Odyssey brings a host of new features and technologies for 2018, including a uniquely versatile new Magic Slide second-row seat; new CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies; new Display Audio touchscreen with Honda-developed OS; 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity; new Rear Entertainment System with streaming video; and Honda Sensing safety and other driver-assistive technologies.

Powering the 2018 Honda Odyssey is a 3.5-litre direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management, paired to either a 9-speed auto or a newly-developed 10-speeder depending on the selected trim level.

Thanks to the powertrain package, peak engine output stands at 280hp while maximum torque readings stand at 355 Nm.

Also new is the MPV’s chassis which makes it 43kg lighter and 44 percent more rigid than the outgoing model, complemented by an ‘Intelligent’ Traction Management system with various driving modes, an Agile Handling Assist system, more powerful braking system for improved all-weather traction and control.

Inside, the Odyssey gets a plethora of gizmos such as a new Android based infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, a ceiling-mounted infra-red camera, Magic Slide second-row seats with various configurations, and also Blu-ray player among others.

Safety wise, the new US Odyssey gets Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), as well as Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. 

Since the Honda Odyssey first made its US debut in 1994, the company has managed to sell more than 2.5 million units to date. In fact, it is considered one of the most successful MPVs of its time in the US.