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 Honda 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.
Powertrain
Powering the 2018 Honda Odyssey is a 3.5-liter direct injected i-VTEC® 24-valve SOHC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™). The new engine is common with the powerplant in the 2017 Pilot and is mated to one of two new transmissions – a 9-speed automatic (9AT), also introduced in the Pilot, for LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L NR trims, and an all-new minivan and front wheel drive-first 10-speed automatic (10AT) for Touring and Elite models. For the first time ever, all Odyssey models are equipped with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, to give drivers greater control over transmission operation, which is particularly useful in mountainous driving or when towing. Models equipped with the new 10AT also have a new Idle-Stop capability, which further enhances fuel efficiency.
Drive-by-Wire Throttle System
The Honda Odyssey’s Drive-by-Wire throttle system replaces a conventional throttle cable with smart electronics that “connect” the accelerator pedal to a throttle valve inside the throttle-body. The result is less under-hood clutter and lower weight, as well as quicker and more accurate throttle actuation. Plus, a tunable “gain” rate – the relationship between throttle pedal application and throttle opening – offers improved drivability and optimized engine response to suit specific driving conditions.
Honda’s Drive-by-Wire throttle system establishes the current driving conditions by monitoring throttle pedal position, throttle valve position, engine speed (rpm) and road speed. This information is used to define the throttle control sensitivity that gives the Odyssey’s throttle pedal a predictable and responsive feel that meets driver expectations.
Once the engine is fully warmed up, for maximum power and fuel efficiency fuel is injected during the intake stroke. This helps create a more homogeneous fuel/air mix in the cylinder that is aided by the high-tumble intake port design. This improves volumetric efficiency, and the cooling effect of the incoming fuel improves anti-knock performance. 
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 Honda 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.
Powertrain Powering the 2018 Honda Odyssey is a 3.5-liter direct injected i-VTEC® 24-valve SOHC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™). The new engine is common with the powerplant in the 2017 Pilot and is mated to one of two new transmissions - a 9-speed automatic (9AT), also introduced in the Pilot, for LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L NR trims, and an all-new minivan and front wheel drive-first 10-speed automatic (10AT) for Touring and Elite models. For the first time ever, all Odyssey models are equipped with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, to give drivers greater control over transmission operation, which is particularly useful in mountainous driving or when towing. Models equipped with the new 10AT also have a new Idle-Stop capability, which further enhances fuel efficiency.
Drive-by-Wire Throttle System
The Honda Odyssey's Drive-by-Wire throttle system replaces a conventional throttle cable with smart electronics that "connect" the accelerator pedal to a throttle valve inside the throttle-body. The result is less under-hood clutter and lower weight, as well as quicker and more accurate throttle actuation. Plus, a tunable "gain" rate - the relationship between throttle pedal application and throttle opening - offers improved drivability and optimized engine response to suit specific driving conditions.
Honda's Drive-by-Wire throttle system establishes the current driving conditions by monitoring throttle pedal position, throttle valve position, engine speed (rpm) and road speed. This information is used to define the throttle control sensitivity that gives the Odyssey's throttle pedal a predictable and responsive feel that meets driver expectations.
Once the engine is fully warmed up, for maximum power and fuel efficiency fuel is injected during the intake stroke. This helps create a more homogeneous fuel/air mix in the cylinder that is aided by the high-tumble intake port design. This improves volumetric efficiency, and the cooling effect of the incoming fuel improves anti-knock performance.
