Honda’s lineup of family-friendly and dependable vehicles keeps us talking long after its models are new. If your main priority is to have a family car that’s satisfying and exceptionally comfortable, the Honda Odyssey is an ideal fit. 

We recommend looking at the 2018 version to save on some of the latest features the Odyssey has to offer. The 2018 Odyssey earned praise when it was brand new, and it’s still a worthy choice today.     

U.S. News still ranks the 2018 Honda Odyssey as #1

As a new model, the 2018 Honda Odyssey proved that minivans are alive and well. Honda loaded the completely redesigned Odyssey with various helpful features, much to many parents’ delight. And unlike some of its class rivals, the Odyssey offers a smooth and agile driving experience. The Odyssey’s unique amenities made it the best minivan of 2018, according to U.S. News. 

U.S. News gave the 2018 Odyssey its #1 ranking based on its research and data elements across 27 vehicle categories. The organization also named it the winner of its 2018 Best Minivan for the Money award and the Best Minivan for Families award. Additionally, road testers at U.S. News also consider the 2018 Odyssey to be the top used minivan for $20K and up.

What’s it like to drive the 2018 Odyssey?

Even before the Odyssey’s latest redesign, critics already recognized the minivan for its “unusually agile” performance. Still, Honda took the Odyssey to the next level by updating it with a more powerful engine. The 2018 model features a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. This V6 provides 32 more horses compared to the previous generation.

Standard Odyssey  models have a nine-speed automatic transmission; some will have the available 10-speed automatic. Both options compliment the V6. The Odyssey also earns praise for its ample power in various driving situations. 

So many cabin comforts 

Almost every detail inside the Odyssey is geared toward families. This minivan can comfortably seat seven in its standard configuration and up to eight on the upper-level trims. For installing child car seats, the Odyssey has two sets of LATCH connectors on the second row. There are also connectors on the third-row.

Base Odyssey models came standard with spill-resistant cloth seats and many convenient storage spaces. You can also shop models with leather, heated and cooled front seats. Some models will also have Magic Slide seats, which adjust in five different ways so that passengers can be more comfortable, and so that parents can easily access the third row. 

What also makes the Odyssey a family-friendly option is its available in-car tech features. The base trim keeps things simple and includes a remote start function, a 5-inch display, Bluetooth connection, and a backup camera. There are many more gadgets available on the 2018 Odyssey, though.

For more active safety features, look for models with the Honda Sensing driver’s suite, including forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Regarding infotainment, some models will have an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Plus, you can also shop for trims with navigation, a Blu-ray entertainment system, an in-car vacuum, and a wifi hotspot.