Honda Automobiles: 2018 Honda Odyssey Press Kit – Answer Your Car Auto Questions Here

NOTE: Information in this document is preliminary, subject to change without notice, and intended for media use–not for consumers. For final information, visit automobiles.honda.com.

In its renewed mission to provide stylish versatility for active families, the fifth-generation Odyssey is as advanced in its exterior design as it is in its performance, ride and handling, interior comfort and convenience, electronic features and safety. The refreshed exterior design still says “Odyssey” at first glance, with available LED headlights and fog lights, the elimination of visible sliding door rails on the body sides, numerous stylistic and aerodynamic upgrades, and a choice of new 18- and 19-inch wheels, all contributing to a more athletic, sophisticated and modern-looking vehicle.

The body uses high-strength steel to improve torsional rigidity, which aids in all aspects of the vehicle’s dynamic performance. Extreme measures to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and such new features as a Hands-Free Access option for the available power tailgate make the 2018 Odyssey the most luxurious yet.

Key Body and Exterior Features

Improved aerodynamics
Active Shutter Grille system*
Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
“3-Bone” front floor structure*
LED daytime running lights (EX and above) and taillights (all trims)
LED headlights and fog lights (Touring and Elite)
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) enhancements
Acoustic windshield (EX-L and above)
Acoustic front door glass* (Elite)
Acoustic rear door glass* (Elite)
Power tailgate (EX-L, Touring and Elite)
Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate* (Touring and Elite)

* First for Odyssey

Exterior Dimensions
The 2018 Odyssey shares the same 118.1-inch wheelbase with the previous-generation Odyssey for superb second- and third-row seating roominess, easy ingress and egress, and superior ride comfort. The overall length increases fractionally to 203.2 inches due to a 0.4-inch longer rear overhang, while the width decreases by 1.1-inches to reduce frontal area, reducing aerodynamic drag. Overall height is nearly identical. The dimensional adjustments do not compromise interior roominess, as the new Odyssey offers fractionally more front and third-row headroom, retains almost identical overall passenger volume, and offers more cargo volume, with two inches more length in the cargo area, than the previous generation. (See the Interior section for more information.)

2017 Odyssey vs. 2018 Odyssey Exterior Dimensions

Key Body Specifications

Exterior Styling
The new fifth-generation Odyssey is a progressive and sporty evolution of the Odyssey’s well-known exterior form. In front, the 2018 model includes the latest version of Honda’s trapezoid grille, with boldly restyled chrome bars, stylized headlights, and new wing-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRL) lending a premium appearance on EX and above models. Bright LED headlights and fog lights complete the Touring and Elite trims. The hood gains new character lines that add a more visually enticing and sophisticated look, while the front fascia invokes a sports sedan, with a large lower air inlet.

Despite sharing the same wheelbase and a similar height and length with the previous generation, from the side Honda’s new 2018 Odyssey looks longer, lower and more athletic. Front-end features – in particular, the lighting – wrap around to the body sides more emphatically. The model’s characteristic Z-shaped “lightning bolt” side character lines are more strongly developed, new character lines on the doors add light contrast and visual intrigue, and a new partial black-out treatment for the D-pillar lends the appearance of the Odyssey’s tapered roof “floating” over the cabin greenhouse.

Wraparound chrome trim adds a luxurious touch on all trims, as do chrome door handles on EX and above trims, and body-color lower side sills on the Touring and Elite trims. Re-engineering the sliding side door mechanisms removes the previous model’s visible rails along the rear body sides, giving the new Odyssey a cleaner appearance, while the larger 18-inch and available 19-inch wheels and tires further bolster the 2018 Odyssey’s athletic stance.

Unique C-shaped taillights give the Odyssey a more luxurious and modern rear appearance, as does expansive chrome trim joining the taillights across the tailgate. Additional character lines visually divide the tailgate into lower, mid and upper segments, with light playing differently on each surface for more visual appeal.

Aerodynamics
The 2018 Odyssey receives the most thorough and intensive array of aerodynamic refinements of any Odyssey generation to date. This comprehensive approach boosts aerodynamic efficiency and reduces wind noise. Examples of the aero efforts found on the 2018 Odyssey include extensive under covers, the Active Shutter Grille system, hidden windshield wipers, wind-sculptured side mirrors (power folding on Elite), and many small but pertinent details such as under-body strakes, shark fin-type antenna, and a rear spoiler (black on LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims, body-color on Elite).

Active Shutter Grille System
In a first for Odyssey, Honda’s Active Shutter Grille system located below the front bumper reduces aerodynamic drag especially at cruising speeds, directly helping to improve fuel efficiency. Included on all 2018 Odyssey trims, the system uses an electric actuator controlled by a processor that tracks major temperature parameters, including engine coolant and radiator temperatures, intake air temperature, transmission oil temperature and air-conditioning requirements, all of which can vary due to weather, road conditions, vehicle speed, throttle and gear positions, and towing activity. The system either opens or closes the four shutters simultaneously to control the amount of air flowing through the engine’s radiator and the air conditioner’s condenser. The system is designed to keep the shutters closed as much as possible – even in city driving. (See the Powertrain section for more information.)

Underbody Aero Package
The new Odyssey includes an underbody aero package consisting of a 2-piece undercover behind the front fascia and underneath the engine and transmission, flat underbody surfaces extending between the front and rear wheel areas, air-diverting strakes positioned ahead of all four tires, and an additional undercover behind the left rear tire (the tailpipe occupies the space behind the right rear tire). These undercovers directly improve fuel efficiency, particularly on the highway.

Visibility
Outward visibility for the driver and passengers has been improved in the 2018 Odyssey thanks to a host of small but important measures. Key improvements include:

Front quarter windows relocated from the A-pillars to the doors improve cornering visibility by 5 percent.
Improved A-pillar construction increases forward visibility by 1.5 degrees.
The front quarter window and A-pillar changes combined improve cornering visibility by 8 percent.
The new tailgate design reduces D-pillar visible obstruction by 9.7 percent.

Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
The 2018 Odyssey’s enhanced Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure is the second generation of Honda’s proprietary ACE structural design. ACE is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. It uses a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, helping to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. It can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash as well. ACE also helps reduce the chances that one vehicle will override or underride another, improving crash compatibility of vehicles that differ in size. ACE goes further by offering additional strength and protection in small overlap frontal collisions, which are among the most severe. Multiple material grades, including ultra-high-strength steel, are used in the Odyssey’s body construction to help optimize safety performance.

Body Construction
Based on Honda’s global light truck platform, the 2018’s Odyssey body structure
has 44-percent greater torsional rigidity than the previous model. High-strength steel comprises 58 percent of the body structure, contributing to both improved stiffness and reduced mass for the unit-body.

Stiffening the body with ultra-high-strength steel, hot-stamped steel and adhesives in critical areas likewise directly contribute to reduced noise and vibration, and improved ride and handling. The structural improvements also help reduce mass, directly contributing to increased fuel efficiency.

3-Bone Front Floor Structure
Located under the front floor of the new Odyssey is a variation of the “3-Bone” structure used in the Pilot that improves impact load management, directing energy around the passenger cabin in the event of a frontal collision. The structure creates three different load pathways, or “backbones,” that channel collision energy. One channels collision forces from the front of the vehicle directly underneath the passenger cabin; the other two channel collision forces under the vehicle’s left and right side frames. The result is an improved capability to safely channel energy during a frontal crash.

Optimized Body Materials
Multiple grades of high-strength steel are used in the Odyssey’s body construction to help achieve excellent overall vehicle dynamics, optimize safety performance, reduce weight, and lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The combination of advanced materials and evolved engineering processes save 75 lbs. in unit-body weight compared to the previous-generation Odyssey.

Body Materials

Key Engineering Features
The 2018 Odyssey features several unique advancements in body design and materials that significantly improve overall rigidity, while reducing weight. This directly helps improve overall vehicle dynamics, crash safety performance, interior quietness, and long-term durability.

Ultra-High Strength Door Rings
For the first time, the new 2018 Odyssey has 1500-megapascal (MPa) ultra-high-strength steel door reinforcement beams and ultra-high-strength front door outer stiffener rings made of 1500-MPa hot-stamped steel. Laser welded and significantly stronger than ordinary steel, the ultra-high-strength steel reinforcements are designed to help better protect occupants in a frontal or side impact. Their increased strength allows the components to be made lighter which also helps reduce overall vehicle weight for improved fuel efficiency.

Rigid Tailgate Opening Ring
The strength of the “tailgate ring” (the circular metal structure surrounding the tailgate) is vitally important for superior vehicle handling, stability and ride quality. Debuting on the 2016 Honda Pilot and applied to the 2018 Odyssey for the first time, this advanced tailgate ring contributes to the new model’s gain in torsional rigidity, benefiting ride, handling and NVH.

Structural Foam
For the first time in the Odyssey, body stiffness is enhanced using structural foam inserts in key locations. These include the left and right C-pillar stiffeners, and within an inside bracket that connects the left and right side center frames under the front floor. The improved body stiffness pays dividends in handling precision, ride quality, NVH and crash safety.

Structural Adhesives
The new Odyssey makes widespread use of structural adhesives in the unit-body, supplementing structural welds and significantly increasing rigidity without the additional mass of steel components. Structural adhesives are used at the roof edges and around the moonroof opening, in the front floor and cowl area, in the A- and B-pillars, around the front suspension upper mounts, and extensively throughout the rear of the body. Applied before the body panels are welded together, some 147.6 feet of adhesives (32.8 ft. more than in the previous Odyssey generation) account for approximately 3.5 percent of the entire unit-body stiffness.

Acoustic Spray Foam
To provide extra sound insulation by blocking off hollow pillars, acoustic spray foam is applied in 14 locations in the Odyssey body for the first time in Honda history. The areas include the base of the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars, as well as the base of the windshield frame and at the top of the C- and D-pillars. In addition, acoustic tape is applied at base of the A-, B- and C-pillars, and a foam stopper is applied to the bottom of the B-pillar. Altogether, the use of these body sealing techniques results in a 55-percent reduction in body leaks, which significantly reduces noise entering the cabin in critical sections. All foam and acoustic tape application is done while the unit-body is in its just manufactured “body-in-white” form – before attachment of key components and assemblies.

Cast Magnesium Steering Hanger Beam
Located behind the instrument panel, the Odyssey’s cast magnesium steering hanger beam replaces the multi-part steel unit in the previous Odyssey. Its purpose is as a structural attachment point for the steering column and instrument panel, as well as a structural element that helps the passenger cabin retain its shape in certain collisions.

The cast magnesium steering hanger beam offers several advantages compared to the previous steel unit:

Simpler Construction – Created from a single casting instead of multiple different extrusions and stampings, the new magnesium steering hanger beam offers more precise construction.
Lighter Weight – The magnesium steering hanger beam saves 10.1 lbs. compared to a comparable steel component, contributing to improved ride and handling, fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Better Fit and Finish – The exacting tolerances of the magnesium steering hanger beam allow for a more precise location of the instrument panel for improved fit and finish.

Aluminum Front Bumper Beam
The aluminum front bumper beam saves 2.6 lbs. while enhancing structural integrity.

Composite Materials
For the first time, the Odyssey body structure also utilizes composite materials to further reduce weight while enhancing rigidity and noise dampening. One example is inside the C-pillars, where composite stiffeners, together with the structural foam mentioned above help improve body rigidity. Another example is the base that supports the Odyssey’s battery. Created from a single composite casting, it holds the battery securely while adding minimal weight to the overall body structure, saving 2.9 lbs. over the previous Odyssey.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Countermeasures
The new Odyssey greatly benefits from a much more rigid and tightly sealed body with substantially increased use of structural adhesives and sealers, as well as new front and rear suspension subframes and extensive aerodynamic tailoring to form the basis for a quiet vehicle. Additionally, the 2018 Odyssey uses a refined, multiple-tier insulation package that takes noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures to the next level, positioning it at the top of its competitive set.

Along with acoustic spray foam applied in 14 critical locations, all Odyssey trims feature triple door seals and Active Noise Control technology to help prevent unwanted noise from reaching the passengers. While all trims benefit from thicker front and rear door glass, Elite receives acoustic front/rear door glass and adds an additional carpet barrier layer, acoustic fabric fender liners, additional slide door insulation, and rear wheelhouse insulators.

Exterior Lighting
The 2018 Odyssey incorporates a wide range of halogen and light-emitting diode (LED) exterior lighting features. LED headlights are available for the first time, joining available LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), available LED side mirror turn signals and LED taillights to provide the brightest and most visually distinctive array of Odyssey exterior lighting yet.

LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Odyssey EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite trims have bright, distinctive LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). A signature design feature of the new Odyssey, the DRLs utilize Honda’s characteristic wing shape positioned below and beside the low-beam headlights. Shaped to match the modern, elegant and athletic look of the new Odyssey, the LED DRL array tapers as it moves from the body side toward the inside of the headlight lens. Stylistically, the DRLs strongly and clearly define the front corners of the Odyssey.

Projector-Beam Headlights
Included on the Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L N/R, projector-beam-style halogen headlights feature round outboard low beams and round inboard high-beam illumination. The Odyssey LX headlights have an auto-off feature to protect the battery’s state of charge if the driver leaves the vehicle without switching off the lights, while Odyssey EX and above trims add the convenience and safety of auto on/off high beams (AHB). (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)

LED Headlights
Exclusive to the Odyssey Touring and Elite trims, LED low- and high-beam headlights provide improved nighttime illumination and visibility compared to contemporary high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Six LEDs serve as low beams and three LEDs serve as high beams on each side. Besides improving driver confidence and passive safety, the LED headlights use less energy, helping to enhance fuel efficiency by reducing engine loads. In addition, the LED headlights last up to five times longer than HID headlights and up to 10 times longer than halogen headlights – contributing to less frequent replacement and the associated cost savings. An auto on/off function is also included.

Compared to conventional halogen headlights, the Odyssey’s available LED headlights offer some 32.8 feet (10 meters) wider illuminated area on each side – as well as a 26.2 foot (8 meter) longer reach line – when low beams are in use. The width and reach advantages aid drivers in more safely and confidently navigate both straight and winding roads. Odyssey’s auto-high beam feature further improves safety.

LED Taillights
All 2018 Odyssey trims feature LED taillights, whose C-shaped design complements the wing-shaped design of the available front LED DRLs and providing a distinctive Odyssey appearance that is easy to spot on the road.

Exterior Lighting Features

One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
The Odyssey EX-L, Touring and Elite trims feature a power tilting and sliding front moonroof with a manual sunshade. To tilt or slide the moonroof, the driver or front passenger needs only to fully press the ceiling-mounted switch once (instead of pressing and holding it for several seconds). The moonroof fully opens or closes automatically. However, if the operator wishes to only partially open or close the moonroof (such as to achieve partial ventilation), a lighter touch yields fully manual control. The moonroof can also tilt to provide ventilation. An auto-reverse feature is built in, helping to mitigate the possibility of a pinched finger or limb. If the moonroof motor’s ECU detects a threshold level of mechanical resistance, indicating a possible obstruction, the motor will automatically reverse and reopen the moonroof.

Acoustic Glass
Acoustic laminated windshield glass helps reduce noise entering the cabin on EX-L and above trims. Tuned specifically to attenuate wind-, urban- and traffic-noise frequencies, the acoustic windshield uses an outer layer of 2.0 mm safety glass, a 0.7 mm thick middle layer of acoustic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and a 2.0 mm inner layer for a total thickness of 4.7 mm – an increase over the 4.5mm thickness of the previous-generation Odyssey windshield. This helps the Odyssey place at the top of its class in wind-noise performance.

All Odyssey trims through Touring have 5.0 mm tempered front door glass while Elite adds 4.8 mm acoustic laminated front door glass and 4.3 mm acoustic laminated rear door glass. All Odyssey trims utilize 3.5 mm rear quarter window glass and 3.5 mm tailgate glass. In addition, the available power moonroof uses 3.5mm dark gray privacy glass. (See the Interior section more information.)

Glass Specifications

Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
The Odyssey Elite includes rain-sensing wipers that automatically activate if water is detected on the windshield. Designed to cover the maximum possible windshield area, the left (driver) and right (front passenger) windshield wipers are 25.6 inches and 22.6 inches long, respectively. They also feature breakaway wiper pivots to mitigate the potential for injury in the event of a pedestrian collision. (See the Safety and Driver Assistive section for more information.) The rear wiper is 15.7 inches long.

Wiper-linked auto on/off headlights are included on the Odyssey EX and above trims. When the headlight function is set to the AUTO mode, the headlights turn on after the wipers have completed five wipe cycles; they then automatically turn off 2 ½ minutes after the last wipe.

Smart Entry
Included on the EX and above trims, Smart Entry simplifies approaching, entering and operating the Odyssey – especially when the driver has his or her hands full. To gain entry to vehicle, the driver simply pulls one of the two front door handles while the remote is in his or her possession. The 2018 Odyssey LX retains the previous remote entry system.

Sliding Side Doors
New on the 2018 Odyssey are center door rails hidden under the rear side glass that replace the visible rails located on the body sides behind the rear doors on the second- through 4th-generation Odyssey. The result is a clean, seamless appearance for the rear body side and no visible side door rails or components.

A safety latch prevents the left-hand sliding door from opening when the fuel lid is open.

Like the front doors and tailgate, the side doors feature full 360-degree seals to reduce wind and road noise, water and debris from entering the vehicle.

Power Side Doors
Odyssey EX and above trims include power sliding side doors that can be activated by a switch (to operate left, right or both doors) on the instrument panel, by a switch from the second-row seating area, by pulling on either the interior or exterior door handle, or by buttons (left or right) on the remote key fob.

The system features improved operating logic. In the previous Odyssey generation, if the driver and a passenger outside the vehicle were to each activate a power side door at approximately the same time, the door could start to open with the first person’s action, and then stop as soon as the second person took action. To eliminate this on the 2018 Odyssey, new door logic enables the door to operate as intended if two identical activations (such as the driver and a passenger both wishing to open a door) are entered within a half second of each other. For instance, if a parent pulls up to the curb at school and presses the power side door open button at approximately the same time as does a child waiting curbside, the door will open as desired. If longer than a half second passes between activations, door operation will stop, and a warning beep will sound.

For improved safety, the sliding doors will only open halfway if the associated window is also open about halfway, or more.

In addition, on Touring and Elite trims, the available HondaLink smartphone app allows checking whether the Odyssey is locked or unlocked, and then either locking or unlocking the vehicle doors remotely. (See the Interior section for more information.)

Tailgate Design
The design of the opening and the use of a spindle-less power tailgate system on EX-L and above trims (see below) contribute to a cleaner overall appearance when the tailgate is open. A summary of advantages for the redesigned tailgate area include:

A low 24.8 inch lift-over height allows easy loading and unloading of cargo, while a scuff plate protects the bumper from blemishes.
At 48.6 inches wide, the new Odyssey’s tailgate opening permits loading bulky items, up to and including 4×8-foot plywood sheets.
At 38.2 inches high, the 2018 Odyssey’s cargo opening is highest in class.
The new tailgate design allows reduced D-pillar visual obstruction.

Power Tailgate
The Odyssey EX-L and above trims feature a power tailgate. Replacing the twin gas-charged struts and separate electric motor system on the previous Odyssey, the new Odyssey uses a spindle-less design utilizing a small electric motor and worm gear fully housed in the roof area. The spindle-less system lends the tailgate area a cleaner appearance while helping to improve opening width and cargo volume. The spindle-less system is also 1.4 lbs. lighter than the gear-driven system available on the previous-generation Odyssey.

The power tailgate can be operated via the remote key fob, from a button on the driver’s side of the instrument panel, from a button above the rear license plate (for opening only), or from a button located inside the tailgate (for closing only). Opening or closing the tailgate takes 6.4 seconds, about a second quicker than on the previous generation.

Three new tailgate operating functions are included in the new Odyssey (EX-L and above trims):

Stop and Hold – The stop and hold feature allows the tailgate to be stopped at any desired position, which is useful when the Odyssey is parked in tight areas such as in a crowded parking lot, in a garage, or near a wall.
Programmable Height – This new function allows the Odyssey driver to set the opening height of the tailgate to their desired level. This allows drivers of different heights to program the tailgate to open at a height that is convenient for them. Like the stop and hold function, the programmable height function allows safe use of the tailgate in a confined area such as a garage with a low ceiling. To use the programmable height function, simply press the tailgate switch (located on the interior tailgate lining) when the tailgate is open for 3 seconds when the tailgate reaches the desired height. The system beeps twice to indicate that it has been programmed.
Hands-Free Access – New to the Odyssey Touring and Elite is a Hands-Free Access system. Convenient and versatile, this premium feature makes operating the available power tailgate easier when the user’s hands are full. With Hands-Free Access, the tailgate can be easily opened or closed by a simple in-and-out kicking motion underneath the center area of the rear bumper. If the Odyssey is equipped with a trailer hitch, the kick zone is slightly to the left or right of the trailer hitch. This enables people carrying items the ability to load or retrieve items, even if both hands are full and unable to operate the remote. It also keeps the driver’s hands clean if the tailgate and handle are dirty. Hands-Free Access works when the user is carrying the Odyssey’s key fob. For safety, the lights flash when the system senses a kick, alerting the user to move away from the tailgate as it rises.

On Touring and Elite trims, the available HondaLink smartphone app allows checking whether the Odyssey is locked or unlocked, and then to either lock, or unlock the vehicle doors – including the tailgate – remotely. (See the Interior section for more information.)

Exterior Colors
The 2018 Odyssey is available in eight exterior colors including four metallic and four pearl colors, depending on trim level. All colors have a strong character, offering expressive contrasts that complement the unique curves and angles of the new body design, while also exhibiting a modern and sophisticated appearance. The colors are:

Exterior Colors

Interior Color Options

Mocha

Beige

Gray