Honda Odyssey 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

The Honda Odyssey people-mover mightn’t be the newest or most popular form of transportation on the market; but it does what it’s designed to do well.

And following recent updates it’s now safer, better looking, more refined and able to tow more than its predecessor, at 1000kg braked.

But there’s a catch… The Honda Sensing safety technologies and towing upgrades apply only to the high-grade Odyssey VTi-L tested here. The less popular base-grade Odyssey VTi shares only the design and NVH improvements bestowed on its dearer sibling.

The updated fifth-generation Odyssey VTi-L is now differentiated by the latest evolution of Honda’s Solid Wing Face design, two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, remoulded bumper designs, LED fog-lights and a dark-chrome finish on the upper and lower grilles.

Inside, the second-row captain’s seats are now equipped with larger head restraints and additional storage compartments, while a new instrument panel, door cards and push-button ignition cabin grace the cockpit.

How much will it cost?

The revised Honda Odyssey range begins at $37,990 (+$380) for the VTi and tops out at $47,590 (+$1100) for the VTi-L.

Two new paint colours take the number of hues in the palette to five, all of which are included in the list price.

Odyssey models purchased after May 1 and delivered before June 30 this year are offered with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance package. This reverts to a five-year/unlimited-km deal thereafter.

Service intervals are set at six months or 10,000km intervals (whichever comes first), and are backed by Honda’s Tailored Service Program.

The capped-price service arrangement totals $2832.00 over a five-year period but does not include replacement of the engine air filter ($66, due every 60,000km), brake fluid ($54, due every three years), transmission fluid ($152, due every 40,000km), fuel filter ($26,  due every 80,000km), spark plugs ($173, due every 100,000km) and cabin air filter ($65, due every two years).

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?

As a family hauler the Odyssey has a number of tricks up its sleeve – many of which go unnoticed, initially – that make it easy to live with.

It’s not hard to see out of and surprisingly straightforward to place on the road, while the Honda Sensing technologies and multi-view camera assist a tight turning circle (10.8m) in close-quarter manoeuvring.

There’s adaptive cruise control and three-zone climate-control with outlets to all three rows. And we love the ability to remotely open the sliding doors from the key fob.

On the flipside is the touch-screen infotainment array which doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The six-speaker unit difficult to use on the go – save for the basic controls afforded by the steering-wheel mounted buttons – and lacks the diversity of connectivity and applications afforded by most of the Odyssey’s rivals.

The LED low-beam headlights want for a bit of performance and the sensitivity of the auto on/off feature is also bothersome when passing under bridges and the like (where people ahead of you may think you’re flashing your lights at them).

The foot-operated park brake is a bit old-hat too.

We’re also not convinced the engine is the best fit for family use. The multipoint-injected 2.4-litre four-cylinder’s lack of torque (225Nm @ 4000rpm) is noticeable in hilly terrain, and the lack of power (129kW @ 6200rpm) an issue when overtaking at highway speeds.

With four or more people on board, the Odyssey’s performance is lacklustre outside of suburban running and, despite the determined efforts of Honda’s decisive continuously variable transmission, we feel a turbocharged petrol or diesel option is long overdue.

When is it available in Australia?

The latest iteration of the Honda Odyssey went on sale as the 2018YM (Year Model) in December 2017. It’s the most recent of a continued program of fine-tuning and updates that have kept Honda’s fifth-generation people-mover in step with its contemporaries since its local debut in 2014.

Who will it appeal to?

Family buyers are obviously the main target of the Honda Odyssey. Electric sliding doors on each side, a low floor and flexible seating configurations (the Odyssey is available as a seven- or eight-seater) give it an advantage many seven-seat SUVs can’t match.

That said, its small 330-litre cargo area is a disadvantage that’s hard to get past.

It’s also a good fit for private chauffer services and the likes, the plush cabin and high-quality finishes – not to mention ease of ingress and egress – making it ideal for airport runs, especially since the third-row seats can be commandeered for additional luggage space.

The Odyssey’s fuel economy is advantageous in either instance (we managed a 9.1L/100km average on test), and is aided by an Eco driving assistant, Eco mode and idle-stop system.

However, the 55-litre fuel tank can limit outright range.

Where does it fit?

Selling in the sub-$60,000 people-mover category, the Honda Odyssey competes with a range of dedicated and light commercial-based offerings.

In the first camp are rivals that include the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, Kia Carnival and Toyota Tarago, the latter home to the likes of the Hyundai iMax, LDV G10 and Volkswagen Multivan.

To the end of March this year, with 572 sales nationally, the Honda Odyssey ranked second in its segment behind the Carnival (1483) but well ahead of the Grand Picasso (7), iMax (154), G10 (196), Tarago (103) and Multivan (260).

So, what do we think?

As we hinted at the top of this review, the Honda Odyssey is a great car when used for its intended purpose. It’s a family bus that’s faithful and easy to operate, and handles weekday duties really well.

Unfortunately the Odyssey’s engine struggles to keep pace when every seat is occupied, which lets down its otherwise refined driveline. The infotainment system’s shortfalls are also a concern, likewise its small boot.

Cap those issues with the general image problem of people-movers and it’s easy to see why vehicles like the Odyssey are a second-tier choice for most family buyers – as unfortunate as that may be.

Price: $47,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 129kW/225Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined), 9.1L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 183g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2014)