BUYER'S GUIDE: 2018 Honda Odyssey

The Filipino's natural inclination towards family makes us gravitate toward people carriers, as their spacious cabins can easily fit all of our core as well as extended family members. And that’s why the Philippines is a country where vehicles with large seating capacities thrive--vehicles such as the 2018 Honda Odyssey.

It seems that with every iteration of the Odyssey, Honda made it a point to make it even more family-friendly. Losing its gas-guzzling V6 engine in favor of fuel-efficient Earth Dreams Technology engine was only the beginning--now it also comes with added comfort and convenience courtesy of a start-stop button, seven-inch infotainment system, nine-inch entertainment screen, and plushier second row chairs. Check out the rest of this mid-luxury minivan's features below, with CARMUDI's 2018 Honda Odyssey Buyer’s Guide.

Specification

The latest Odyssey is equipped with performance technology and systems designed to deliver high efficiency matched with low fuel consumption. Under the hood of this roomy seven-seater is a 2.4-liter inline-4 DOHC i-VTEC Earth Dreams Technology engine paired with a CVT transmission that delivers 173 hp and 226 Nm of torque.  Turning radius is 10.8 meters, wheelbase is at 2,900 mm, and ground clearance is a solid 150 mm. Overall dimensions stand at 4,830 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,698 mm tall.

Exterior

The look is so distinctly Honda, even with the new front and rear bumpers as well as new wheel designs imbued in the 2018 model. A chrome bar grille--a Honda staple since 2014--connects the equally narrow headlights to each other, helping kick off a more streamlined look for the minivan. All exterior lighting systems are LED for the top-of-the-line EX-V Navi variant, while the lower trim EX uses Halogen for both headlights and fog lights. The tailgate spoiler comes with an LED high mount stop lamp for better braking visibility. What makes the Odyssey niftier than most people carriers is that it comes with power rear sliding doors on both the driver and passenger side(EX-V Navi only), with a key-integrated remote to boot. How’s that for convenience?

Interior

Imagine Honda's renowned winter-cold AC system reaching even the far corners of the van. That's cooling comfort for each and every passenger, and you won't have to contend with temperature complaints all trip long. Combine that awesome environment with a spacious 2-2-3 seating configuration plus a nine-inch rear entertainment system with DVD and HDMI connectivity, and you've got a recipe for hassle-free family outings. Senior family members? The second row features fully reclining, fully cushioned leather captain seats with ottoman that can be adjusted forward, backward, and side-to-side so your elders can achieve the most relaxing positions possible. And there's a cupholder everywhere, so you won't have to worry about getting thirsty mid-travel.

Space

Thankfully, the Odyssey isn't a full-size van, which helps make it easy enough to park. In addition, the low floor and wide door opening makes ingress and egress a cinch. Granted, there's not much trunk space to speak of, but stow away the easy-folding third-row seats and you've got enough room for a mountain bike or two.

Safety

A family van wouldn't have any value if it doesn't come with topnotch safety features, and in this department, the Odyssey does not disappoint. There are side airbags for all three rows, along with an impressive list of smart safety systems including vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, smart parking assist, blind spot information, and cross traffic monitor, among many others. Suffice to say, the 2018 Odyssey is designed with the safety of all passengers in mind.

Our Verdict

Named after a Greek epic, the Honda Odyssey is every bit as larger-than-life as the story it's based upon. For the price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a minivan as well-appointed as this, and for a family larger than five, there's no question that the 2018 Odyssey is one of your best options.