Honda Automobiles: 2018 Honda Odyssey Press Kit

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.

 

Redesigned specifically for its intended role – to support and enhance a low-stress, quiet and confidence-inspiring family travel experience – the 2018 Odyssey chassis offers the model’s best combination yet of handling response and maneuverability, sedan-quality ride comfort, stability and accident-avoidance skills. Consisting of 4-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson strut front and all-new compact trailing-arm rear) mounted on vibration-damping front and rear subframes and including the first-ever rear stabilizer bar for the model, the new Odyssey affords families with inspired handling and superb ride control, and a welcome absense of low- and mid-frequency booming noise. It is also equally adept at carrying up to eight occupants or a combination of passengers and cargo, and can tow trailers up to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg).

Working in combination with the improved body structure, the suspension excels at both ride compliance and body motion control by minimizing roll during cornering, pitch during acceleration and braking, and heave on rolling surfaces. The Odyssey’s new dual-pinion electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering (EPS) and 4-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake distribution further improve handling response and control.

Key Chassis Features

Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L N/R and Touring

  • 4-wheel independent suspension
  • Vibration-damping subframes
  • Dual Pinion Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)*
  • 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist
  • Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
  • 18-inch all-season tires
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist*
  • Agile Handling Assist*

Odyssey Elite (replacing the above)

  • 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels*
  • 19-inch all-season tires*

* First for Odyssey

Four-Wheel Independent Suspension
The Odyssey independent front and rear suspension systems are engineered to provide long wheel travel and excellent compliance for a smooth ride, together with the precise damping and spring rates needed for excellent handling and driving feel. Advancements for the 2018 model year include reduced vibration and improved ride comfort over road irregularities such as potholes, bridge joints and highway seams. Safe, easy and confidence inspiring, the new Odyssey’s suspension makes every member of the family feel more comfortable while providing the driver with a greater degree of control and low-effort, low-stress performance.

Front Suspension
At the front is a strut-type system with forged-aluminum lower control arms, fluid-filled compliance bushings, coil springs and a 26 mm (LX, EX) or 26.5 mm (EX-L and above) stabilizer bar. This setup uses specially tuned spring rates, damping rates, stabilizer bar and bushings for a smooth, controlled ride with excellent cornering abilities. The upper front strut mounts provide a “triple path” load-bearing system that helps absorb road vibration and harshness.

Rear Suspension

A first for the 2018 Odyssey is a new compact trailing-arm rear suspension design with a new stabilizer bar that provides excellent ride and handling, best-in-class body roll control, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) transmission to the passenger cabin. The system utilizes forged aluminum upper control arms and adds a stabilizer bar (20 mm) for the first time in Odyssey.

Its compact design helps maximize interior and cargo volume while allowing for fitment of 19-inch wheels on top trims. Dampers and springs have been moved outboard for improved effectiveness, and rear suspension weight is reduced 7 lbs. compared to the outgoing model. The end result is a rear suspension system that is unphased by varying passenger and cargo loads, uneven surfaces including bumps, pavement heaves and hills. In addition, because the rear stabilizer bar helps control body roll, spring and damper settings can be optimized for maximum ride comfort combined with exceptional motion control.

Vibration-Damping Subframes
The engine, transmission, and front and rear suspension systems are mounted on rigid steel subframes. These subframes attach to the unit-body at rubber-isolated mounting points that help keep powertrain and road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) out of the passenger cabin. The rear subframe’s compact dimensions reduce weight, allows the fuel system’s evaporative canister to be relocated behind the fuel tank, and allows fitment of the rear stabilizer bar.

Dual Pinion Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
New to the 2018 Odyssey in all trims, advanced Electric Power Steering (EPS) incorporates dual pinion gears that enhances low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability. Compared to a traditional single-pinion steering system, the dual-pinion EPS utilizes the physical steering input from the driver as well as from a supplemental electric motor. A non-contact torque sensor measures the driver’s steering effort and an ECU determines how much electric motor assist to add, with the result being seamless, natural-feeling steering in all situations, up to and including emergency maneuvers. A summary of benefits of the new Odyssey’s dual-pinion EPS include:

  • Intuitive and easy to drive
  • High steering precision
  • Increased steering ratio results in quicker yaw rate gain at low and mid speeds, while maintaining high-speed stability
  • Superb stability on the highway
  • Confident maneuverability
  • Reduced driver workload
  • Predictable and responsive in emergencies

Four-Wheel Disc Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution
The 2018 Odyssey has 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel anti-lock braking system for a powerful and linear brake feel and confident stops in a wide range of driving conditions including dry, wet and snowy roads. The ventilated front discs are 12.6 inches in diameter and use 2-piston calipers, while the solid rear discs are 13.0 inches in diameter and have single-piston calipers. The calipers utilize a spring-loaded mechanism to maintain separation between the brake pads and rotor to reduce brake drag when not in use, reducing running resistance for improved fuel efficiency.

For optimum performance with the widely varying loads one is likely to encounter in a minivan, Odyssey has Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) system technology. EBD monitors braking force and adjusts front-to-rear brake effort to achieve maximum braking performance and stability. At the rear, a select-low braking strategy is used to help maintain directional stability in slippery driving. In the event one rear wheel verges on lock-up, triggering a pressure modulation at that wheel, brake pressure is also diminished at the adjoining wheel to help preserve the rear axle’s lateral stability.

ABS with Brake Assist
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) independently modulates braking power at each wheel to help the driver retain steering control during heavy braking. Brake Assist recognizes emergency braking situations and almost instantly applies full braking force when appropriate to help shorten braking distance. (See the Safety and Driver Assistive section for more information.)

Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) is an Electronic Stability Control system that works in conjunction with the Odyssey’s Drive-by-Wire™ throttle and its 4-channel ABS systems to enhance control capability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver. VSA also provides a limited-slip differential effect for the driving wheels by applying braking force to a slipping wheel, thereby redirecting driving force to the wheel with more traction. While the driver can reduce the traction control effectiveness allowing more wheel slip during stuck condition by pressing the VSA Off button, ABS remains fully operational at all times. (See the Safety and Driver Assistive section for more information.)

Agile Handling Assist
A first for Odyssey, Agile Handling Assist uses the vehicle’s brakes selectively to improve initial turning response and overall cornering ability. Agile Handling Assist utilizes brake vectoring to improve corner traceability and confident handling feel. By applying braking force to the inside wheels during cornering at high lateral G, the system creates a “yaw moment,” thus generating more turning force and reducing understeer.

Hill Start Assist
The Hill Start Assist function helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a hill. Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the vehicle senses a certain incline and is fully stopped in any forward gear when facing uphill or reverse gear when facing downhill. The system uses a longitudinal G-sensor along with a wheel speed sensor to control the hydraulic brake modulator.

Electric Parking Brake with Brake Hold
Included in all Odyssey trims for 2018, the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) makes using the parking brake easier and more comfortable, promoting its use by drivers. The EPB also frees up floor space on the driver’s side by eliminating the customary parking brake pedal, resulting in a more comfortable and luxurious driving experience.

Actuating the parking brake is now as simple as pushing a switch on the instrument panel. To release the parking brake, the driver simply puts the car in gear and presses on the accelerator pedal, or pulls on the EPB switch to the left of the steering wheel. As with a traditional manually activated parking brake, EPB functions on the rear wheels only.

The EPB also features Automatic Brake Hold, which retains brake pressure when the vehicle is stopped, simplifying driving in heavy traffic or hills. This frees the driver from continually pressing the brake pedal to maintain the vehicle in a stopped position, a significant improvement in driving enjoyment in difficult conditions.

Operating the system requires two simple actions from the driver:

  • Activating/deactivating the system via a switch to the left of the steering wheel
  • Pressing on the brake pedal when the vehicle comes to a stop

Once these steps are taken, Automatic Brake Hold will indicate engagement and then maintain brake pressure when the vehicle has come to a stop, even if the driver releases the brake pedal. The Odyssey then remains stopped – even on a hill – until the driver presses the accelerator pedal. At this point Automatic Brake Hold releases the brakes and the vehicle resumes normal braking function.

Wheels
For the first time, all Odyssey trims have aluminum alloy wheels. The 2018 Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims come with 18 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels, an inch larger in diameter and a half-inch wider than the previous model’s 17-inch wheels. The Elite is fitted with 19 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels, the largest ever offered on the Odyssey. Four unique wheel designs are applied to the different trim levels, with Genuine Honda Accessories 19-inch chrome wheels also available. (See the Accessories section for more information.)

Wheel Applications

 



LX
EX, EX-L, EX-L N/R


Touring
Elite

Tires                                        
All Odyssey trims come standard with tires exclusively designed to help the Odyssey provide the best ride, handling and NVH performance in all weather conditions with low rolling resistance. The Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L and Touring models have 235/60R18 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires while the Elite has 235/55R19 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires.

Tire pressures are monitored using a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that reports tire pressure at each location and offers fill-assist technology.

All 2018 Odyssey models include a T135/80D17temporary spare tire on a 17 x 4.0-inch steel wheel that is stored inside the cabin, under the floor between the front and second row seats.

Tire Fill Assist
New for the 2018 Odyssey, Tire Fill Assist works with TPMS to help the driver achieve the correct tire pressures quickly and easily. It does so by providing an audible chirp and flashing the parking lights when the correct air pressure is reached for any tire being filled.

Towing
When equipped with a Honda dealer-installed accessory towing package, the 2018 Odyssey LX, EX and EXL with 9-speed automatic transmission is SAE tow rated at 3000 lbs. (1,361 kg), while the Odyssey Touring and Elite with 10-speed automatic transmission are SAE tow rated at 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).  The Honda accessory towing package includes a Class II hitch and wiring connector.  When not being used for towing, the accessory hitch can double as an attachment point for a genuine Honda accessory bicycle rack. (See the Accessories section for more information).

The paddle shifters on all models give the driver precise control over gear selection on roads with grade changes, allowing the driver to maintain a chosen gear on upgrades and use engine braking on downgrades. A high-capacity engine radiator with dual high-power fans, large 12.6-inch (320 mm) front and 13.0-inch (330 mm) rear disc brakes with improved cooling airflow, and the new compact trailing arm rear suspension with stabilizer bar further enhance towing performance.

Fuel Tank
The 19.5-gallon (73.8-liter) fuel tank is molded of high-density polyethylene for low weight, freedom from corrosion and for impact resistance. The tank is positioned ahead of the rear wheels to help guard against collision damage. The shape of the tank is designed to diminish the likelihood of sloshing-fuel noise. A high-efficiency low-pressure fuel pump is housed inside the fuel tank, and the fuel filter is a lifetime design that never needs replacement.

Key Chassis Features and Specifications