Damien O’Carroll says that whilst SUV’s rule, there is still room for a true people mover such as the Odysssey...
While SUVs may be all the rage, and there are many seven-seat options available across different size SUVs, if you really, truly want to transport seven people effortlessly and so that they are ALL comfortable, then your really do only have two choices – a multi-seat van or a people mover.
Yes, people movers ARE still a thing in today’s SUV-dominated world, they just aren’t particularly popular over here, but a few manufacturer’s still persist with the deeply unfashionable style of vehicle, most notably Honda, who have just released an updated version of its long-running Odyssey people mover for 2018.
The Odyssey gets a few visual tweaks for 2018, with this top-spec LS getting a new face – Honda’s clumsily-named “Solid Wing Face” design which sounds more like an insult – as well as new LED fog lights, a dark chrome finish on the grille and door handles, two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels and a new aero package.
Interior tweaks include larger, more luxurious headrests and additional seat-mounted storage compartments on the second row “captain's chairs”, while up front new trims on the instrument panel and doors, a new engine start/stop button and electric door mirrors that now retract automatically when locking the vehicle are new features.
But the biggest new additions to the 2018 Odyssey is in terms of safety and driver assists.
The Odyssey LS now gets the “Honda Sensing” system that includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, emergency autonomous braking, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation and lane keep assist.
The addition of the driver assists bring a new level of safety and peace of mind to what has always been a big, extremely comfortable and capable people mover and continues to be so.
On the road, the Odyssey has a nicely compliant and controlled ride that is never flustered by rough surfaces.
While the 129kW/225Nm petrol four-cylinder engine is smooth around town and works well with the continuously variable transmission, it does get a bit coarse and unrefined when you ask more of it than a gentle cruise.
The refined ride is matched by the superbly comfortable seats, with the second row seats being particularly impressive, with their La-Z-boy style reclining and footrests.
The second row of seats also have the ability to not only slide fore and aft, but also laterally, making for even more flexibility.
The third row is also impressive – and this is where a full people mover seven seater has a massive advantage over a seven seat SUV. Huge amounts of leg room and decently comfortable seats are an obvious advantage, while shoulder room across the three rear seats is clearly better here than in an SUV.
Plenty of power outlets (not USB though), cupholders and storage bins are also scattered around the Odyssey’s cabin.
In terms of materials, while pretty much everything you regularly come into contact with in the cabin is of a high standard, some of the plastics lower down on the dash, doors and seats are a bit hard and cheap feeling.
Overall though, the 2018 Odyssey is a thoroughly pleasant and refined way to move seven people (or eight if you forgo the brilliant second row captain’s seats in favour of a three-seater bench) in complete comfort and now, thanks to the additional driver assists, even more safety as well.
Specifications:
Body type Five door MPV
Drive Front wheel drive
Engine type Inline four-cylinder petrol
Engine capacity 2399cc
Max power 129kW @ 6200rpm
Max torque 225Nm @ 4000rpm
l/100km (Combined) 7.8
C02 emissions 183g/km
Boot capacity 1332 litres
Spare tyre Space saver
ANCAP rating 5 stars
Price $53,900
