The worldwide debut of the 2018 Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation of the enduring minivan, will be unveiled January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
According to several automotive sites and the manufacturer, the new Odyssey will be completely redesigned. It will feature: “New powertrain technology, sophisticated styling and showcase a new suite of innovative features, making it the ultimate in family-friendly design and packaging,” according to The Detroit News.
The basics of the Odyssey, according to Automotive News, will remain the same. It will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. It will be built on Honda’s light-truck platform which underpins the Pilot large crossover and the Ridgeline midsize truck.
The 2016 Honda Odyssey was recently named to the best cars-of-the-year list on theweeklydriver.com. The Odyssey was also selected the the website’s best cars list in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The current Odyssey models are front-wheel drive only, though all-wheel drive can be added for the new generation.
According to Topspeed, the teaser shot Honda released suggests the 2018 Honda Odyssey will retain some of the familiar style of the existing model including the “lightning bolt character line under the side windows, the V-shaped D-pillar, and the large taillights.” T
The new Odyssey will replace the six-year-old model, appeared to be larger and heavily patterned on the Japanese model, which also showed off a new C-shaped LED signature. Its side panels also have a more sculpted design just above the side skirts, while the vehicle feels lower, and a lot wider, overall.
The full redesign seems to be an act to help the automaker increase sales of the minivan, which seems destined to finish the year with sales lower than 120,000 for the first time in the U.S. since 2011.
The 2018 Honda Odyssey is expected arrive nationwide at dealerships next summer.
Article Last Updated: December 30, 2016.
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