The 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.

About that headline...

For all the talk about how the hottest segment of the market is in small crossovers (which is true), the tightest battle in the biz is between minivans.  Only a few thousand copies a year separate the Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey.  The Pacifica being the newest design and an excellent interpretation of what a contemporary minivan should be, it's gained a slight advantage over the Sienna and Odyssey, which haven't seen a re-design since 2011.

Until now, that is.  The Sienna is still awaiting an update...but the new Odyssey is here now.  And it's more than ready for battle.

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.

The new Odyssey is three-tenths of an inch longer than last year's, one tenth of an inch lower, considerably better-looking to our eyes and more powerful by 32 horses...now possessing nine-and-ten-speed automatic transmissions in place of the previous five and six.  It's faster, smoother and quieter, but no more fuel-efficient than the old one...Honda having chosen to use the extra gears to offset what would have been a loss in fuel economy with the extra 32 horsepower.  So the EPA estimate stays at 19 city/28 highway.   Given that the non-hybrid model of the Pacifica is 18/28, there's no disadvantage to Honda's strategy.

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite interior.

The interior is a much nicer, more contemporary place to be, as well.  A lot has happened in terms of infotainment and consumer preferences since 2011, and Honda has responded brilliantly.  There's a Display Audio command center that is light-years ahead of the old audio and nav controls.  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are baked into it.   In the top-of-the-line Elite, an in-car 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot comes standard.  And there's more.

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite rear seat entertainment screen.

Sure, there's a flip-down widescreen for the second-and-third row passengers, but it's now enabled for streaming audio and video.  iHeartRadio, Spotify, Blu-Ray discs...and streaming movies are all part of the package for the folks in back.

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite CabinWatch.

About those folks.  Wondering if Aiden's right that Emma won't stop staring at him?  Want to see if the latest round of "slug bug" is turning into a mixed martial arts exhibition?  No problem.  You have CabinWatch, which allows you to monitor the little darlings with cameras built into the headliner that, at the touch of a button, you can view on the Display Audio monitor.

Need to intervene?  On the screen, there's a button called "CabinTalk".  It allows you to interrupt whatever's in their headsets and tell them to not make you:

a) Come back there
b) Turn this car around
c) Totally and completely lose your s...

Some things never change.

Honda CabinControl app.

And some things do.  Also new this year is Honda's CabinControl app.  Download it to your smartphone and use it to control the rear entertainment system, rear cabin heat and air conditioning, and send destinations to the embedded nav system.  This lets the front-seat passenger worry about those things, freeing the driver up to, you know, drive.  It also lets well-behaved and trusted rear seat passengers (don't worry, moms and dads, that day does come) control those things or look up where Dad or Mom need to be heading and forward it to navigation.  Very slick.

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.

The price has gone up.  Last year's model was $44,450, the '18 is $46,670.  But the upgrades in the all-new Odyssey are certainly worth $2,220...and frankly, a lot more than that.  Expect the new Odyssey to keep Chrysler on its toes improving the Pacifica and look for Toyota and Kia to sweat the details on the next Sienna and Sedona.

GRANDVILLE, Mich.,––If you haven't caught-up on the latest Honda is bringing to the table when it comes to minivans, it's time you do! The 2018 Honda Odyssey, released just a few months ago is taking over the top seed in the minivan class with tons of exclusive, new family-based features. Honda's best selling 8-seater is always ready to take on the road with its spacious interior, advanced safety technology, and convenience and tech features. Take a look at our top 5 Honda Odyssey features you won't want to travel without this Summer to get a better feel for how this minivan can meet all your family's needs.

1. Second Row Magic Slide Seats

One of the Odyssey's coolest and most useful features yet has arrived! The second row Magic Slide seats offers even more flexibility in seating and free cargo space. These seats can slide together, slide apart, and slide forward and back. Note: they cannot yet do the cha-cha slide. When the kids are fighting and you need to separate them, or the baby is crying and you need to move their seat towards the passenger the Magic Slide seats make it super easy! You can also fully remove the second row seats for more storage space as needed.

2. Rear Entertainment System 

What's easier than having a big screen in the rear to keep the little ones entertained? Having a big screen in the rear that's connected to wi-fi and can live stream services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Past generations of the Honda Odyssey offer an awesome rear entertainment system, including wireless headphones for those that want to listen in on the DVD. The 2018 model now comes with wi-fi connectivity allowing you to stream movies and shows! The new How Much Farther app is also available through this system to provide kids a fun way to see how far along you are, and to easily answer them each time they ask "are we there yet?"

3. CabinWatch & CabinTalk

These features are exclusive to the 2018 Honda Odyssey. CabinWatch is a feature that allows the driver to view what's happening in the back through the display up-front, meaning you don't have to contort your body while driving to keep an eye on things. This feature also includes night vision! The CabinTalk feature is an awesome way to clearly communicate with everyone in the car, even if they've got the rear entertainment system wireless headphones on. You can project your message through the speakers in the car and the headphones, so there's no longer a need to scream "I will turn this van around" at the top of your lungs to get the message across.

4. Power Tailgate

This is an underestimated features, which is perfect for busy families trying to pack and unpack a van! If you're someone that needs to carry a tired baby on your hip, or just need an extra hand when both of yours are full of groceries, the power tailgate has you covered. A simple wave of the foot under the rear 2018 Honda Odyssey bumper is all it takes, so you don't have to reassemble yourself, your kids, and your load to get it open.

5. Built-In HondaVac

If we're going to be honest about road trips with the family, things can very messy very quickly. Honda knows what it's like to be a parent of crumb spreading, juice spilling, accident prone kids. The class-exclusive built-in HondaVac has been around for a few years and is one of the beat features for on the road messes. Even when you're at home, there's no need to untangle the old extension cord or to wait on charging up your handheld vacuum to clean out your van.



Whether you're taking a trip out of state, across the country, or to Grandma's in Grand Rapids the Honda Odyssey is equipped with unique features you won't want to travel without! Interested in upgrading your family's ride? Whether you're looking to buy or lease, our helpful team at RiverTown Honda will walk you through all the available options within your budget and needs. Your entire family, even the little ones, are welcome to tag along. We're completely family friendly and want to provide you the best dealership experience of your life! We look forward to seeing you at our dealership in Grandville, just 12 minutes from Downtown Grand Rapids.

GRANDVILLE, Mich.,––If you've had little ones at any time and have taken a road trip of any distance, you know there's bound to be chaos. Kids make messes, get sick, and fight with each other seemingly wherever they please. Your car is no exception, especially if your group is on the road for an extended period of time. Thankfully, Honda knows families, kids, and most of all, parents. Honda has completely shown off their knowledge with their fifth generation minivan. With all the brand new features, Honda can help you keep the peace on your next road trip in the 2018 Honda Odyssey!
In a new ad campaign, titled "Keep the Peace", Honda shows two monsters fighting each other and destroying the city. Two soldiers rush in, team up to create a distraction, then pull a lever to shift crack the ground in between the monsters and separate them. What does this represent? the 2018 Honda Odyssey's Second-Row Magic Slide seats. This feature is great to separate fights, and arrange the backseat in a way that fits your needs!


There are other features in the 2018 Odyssey that can make a road trip with kids seem almost magical. The CabinTalk feature allows the driver or front seat passenger to talk through a speaker to the back seats easily and clearly. The CabinWatch feature allows the driver or front seat passenger to watch the back seat through the infotainment display without turning their body around. These are just a few ways you can keep the peace on your next road trip, but there are other features, too!


The 2018 Honda Odyssey includes other features such as: 

-Seating for up to 8 passengers
-Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate
-Power Sliding Doors
-Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock
-Remote Engine Start
-Power Moonroof
-CabinControl with Social Playlist (through the app)
-HondaLink Mobile Hotspot
-Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
-Wireless Charging
-Advanced Rear Entertainment System
-Honda Sensing Suite of Driver Assistive and Safety Features
-Electronic Gear Selector
-10-Speed Auto Transmission

Ready to check out the new Odyssey yet? Take a look on our website for more information, or feel free to stop by our dealership in Grandville - just 12 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids - to see how Honda can help you keep the peace on your next road trip in the 2018 Honda Odyssey! We'd be happy to provide you a test drive, walk you around the van to explore all the awesome features, and sit down with you to discuss pricing. Explore our new Honda Odyssey inventory online to get started. We look forward to seeing you.

Give RiverTown Honda a call at (877) 236-9113, or visit us at 4260 Kenowa Ave. Grandville, MI 49418, one mile west of RiverTown Mall.

Visit Us Online: RiverTownHonda.com

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GRANDVILLE, Mich.,––Honda's minivan, one of America's best-selling Odyssey, is a great family vehicle and has gotten a serious upgrade for the 2018 year. The very first 2018 model has just rolled off the production line. 2018 model year Odyssey's are expected to arrive at dealerships this Spring. We still have a little time to wait for the arrival, but in the meantime you can explore the new 2018 Honda Odyssey at RiverTown Honda!

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We've put a brand new page on our website exclusive to the 2018 Honda Odyssey. This page highlights all the new features coming with the release of the 2018 model, including:

• CabinControl
• CabinTalk
• CabinWatch
• Magic Slide Seats
• The Quiet Cabin
• Honda Sensing Suite of Safety Features
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Connected Rear System 

The new 2018 Honda Odyssey is a minivan to behold and we want to help you discover all the awesome features in it. Take a look at and stay tuned to our page for more information as it becomes available. We can't wait for the arrival of Honda's newest minivan to our lot in Grandville, MI.

If you're interested in getting a preliminary look, you can stop by to see the 2017 model. Even though there are brand new features to the 2018 model, many are included in the previous model year so you can get a feel for the overall driving style and benefits of the vehicle. Give our team a call to schedule a test drive, check out the 2017 Odyssey brochure, or simply stop by our dealership in Grandville, MI - just 12 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids off of I-196!

GRANDVILLE, Mich.––The Honda Odyssey is well known as a reliable family van that can tote a crowd along, well, an odyssey (a long journey full of adventures). Not much about the design of vans has been changed across the years, but the list of features always seems to be extensive and growing with each new model. At North American International Auto Show earlier last week Honda revealed the 2018 Honda Odyssey. To put it simply, the ultimate family vehicle has gotten a technology upgrade!



The newest Honda minivan is set to launch at dealerships nationwide this spring! With the new design and new family-friendly features, we think Honda will achieve its 8th year of producing and selling the most popular minivan among American car buyers, especially with the new class-exclusive connectivity and technology features.

"This new Odyssey raises the stakes for family-friendly packaging, performance and technology in the minivan segment," said John Mendel, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "In all aspects of its design, the new Odyssey is made to keep every member of the family happy, no matter the seating position, no matter the destination."

New Technology in the Van