Honda Automobiles: 2018 Honda Odyssey Press Kit

NOTE: Information in this document is preliminary, subject to change without notice, and intended for media use–not for consumers. For final information, visit automobiles.honda.com.

 

Honda’s most advanced family-friendly entertainment and connectivity technology is engineered into the new Odyssey. Available features include an all-new 8-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio connectivity interface with a new, Honda-developed, Android-based operating system, new customizable app tiles and shortcuts and more powerful voice recognition engine. Integrated with Display Audio, the new Odyssey features both Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility for the first time.

Odyssey is also the first Honda model to feature Over-The-Air System Updates for its Display Audio and Rear Entertainment Systems. Software updates issued by Honda can be downloaded by the customer using any Wi-Fi connection – at home, on the road or at their Honda dealer. Updates can also be downloaded via USB in the vehicle, or through the available built-in 4G LTE cellular connection.

The Odyssey’s Display Audio system also enables simplified smartphone connectivity and offers available 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity. A new 10.2-inch, ceiling-mounted Rear Entertainment System with DVD, CD and Blu-ray™ disc capability is also available. New for 2018, the system can play content that is streamed from the available in-vehicle 4G LTE capability or using the customer’s smartphone and data plan (as a hotspot). And for maximum family connectivity the Odyssey sports an array of ports and plugs for a wide range of electronic devices, including up to three USB ports, all with 2.5-amp charging capacity.

Odyssey EX-L N/R and higher trims also feature a new embedded, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with Garmin® featuring more detailed three-dimensional mapping, turn-by-turn directions that appear in the main instrument display and detailed traffic information.

Available Odyssey Audio and Connectivity Features

  • New 8-inch touchscreen Display Audio system*
  • New-generation “2.0” SiriusXM® Radio*
  • Apple CarPlay*
  • Android Auto*
  • Siri Eyes Free*
  • 4G LTE*
  • Blu-ray™/DVD/CD Rear Entertainment System (RES)*
  • “Smart TV” type content streaming to vehicle*
  • Wireless streaming from Android devices to RES*
  • HondaLink®

*First for Odyssey

Odyssey LX Audio
The Odyssey LX has a standard 150-watt AM/FM radio audio system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and a USB port6 to allow the connection of other compatible devices. The audio system has a 5-inch (diagonal) display screen and conventional knobs and buttons to control the various functions.

8-Inch Display Audio Touchscreen
The all-new Display Audio system standard in the 2018 Odyssey EX, EX-L, EX-L NR, Touring and Elite is the most advanced system ever offered by Honda. The 8-inch touchscreen lets you swipe, tap and pinch – just like on a tablet or smartphone – to control the vehicle’s audio system, display settings and other advanced features. The intuitive and easy-to-use system has a simplified menu structure, customizable shortcuts for commonly used features and customizable app locations. On the EX, EX-L, EX-L NR and Touring trims, the 150-watt audio system has seven speakers including a subwoofer. The Elite trim gets an 550-watt system with 11 speakers including a subwoofer.


Premium audio system speaker locations

The Odyssey’s Display Audio system offers greater capability than any previous Honda system, with AM/FM, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink content among the many available content channels. Odyssey trims with the Rear Entertainment System (RES) can play CDs in the same drive that plays DVDs and Blu Ray media as well.

The EX-L NR, Touring and Elite include Display Audio with a fully integrated and fully featured Garmin-developed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with continuously updated traffic information.

With the Display Audio’s new operating system, icons resembling smartphone apps are displayed on the high-definition, capacitive touchscreen, making the interface intuitive and easy to use.

Much like a smartphone, apps can be moved and rearranged on each page, or hidden on the touchscreen. You can also restore a hidden app to the Home screen by accessing the “all apps” list and checking a box. A trio of onscreen shortcut buttons are customizable, so you can decide what three features you want to have constant access to.

Utilizing a new Honda-developed operating system built upon Android, the Odyssey’s Display Audio is also easily updatable and upgradeable. An update can be downloaded to a USB stick, via Wi-Fi from any available network, or for those opting for the Odyssey’s data plan, directly to the head unit via available 4G LTE if the Odyssey has an active data plan.

Multi-Zone Audio
Odyssey Elite features Multi-Zone Audio, which allows the driver to quickly and easily alter the listening environment in the vehicle. By using the Display Audio touchscreen, the driver can select among four zones: Driver Only, Front Only, Rear Only and Full Vehicle. Multi-Zone Audio eliminates the need to manually adjust Balance and Fader controls in an effort to achieve similar results. “Front Only” mode is automatically chosen when the Rear Entertainment System is on.

4G LTE Wi-Fi
Odyssey Touring and Elite models feature an embedded Telematics Control Unit (TCU) that provides an ATT 4G LTE connection inside the vehicle. The system includes a 90-day/3GB (whichever comes first) free trial, followed by a customer-paid subscription plan. With a better antenna than in typical smartphones, the system often offers superior reception. The Wi-Fi network can support up to seven devices, and enables “Smart TV” style streaming of select video content to the Rear Entertainment System (RES), in addition to streaming from compatible Android devices to the RES. Users can also choose to utilize their compatible smartphone and data plan as a Wi-Fi hotspot to stream content.

Apple CarPlay
Odyssey EX models and above offer standard Apple CarPlay compatibility. By connecting the iPhone to the car using the phone’s USB cable (supplied with the phone) and the Odyssey’s USB data port, CarPlay features can be accessed.
 
CarPlay takes the most popular functions and features of the user’s compatible iPhone and puts them on the Odyssey’s Display Audio touchscreen display. You can get directions, send and receive messages, listen to audio books and music, all in a way that allows you to stay more focused on the road. CarPlay features Siri voice control and is specially designed for typical driving scenarios. It also works with the Odyssey’s controls – both on the audio touchscreen and the steering-wheel mounted controls, so you don’t need to pick up your phone.

CarPlay includes access to Apple Maps, which can provide turn-by-turn directions, traffic conditions, and estimated travel time. CarPlay can also predict where you most likely want to go using addresses from your email, text messages, contacts, and calendars.

CarPlay is compatible with iPhones that feature the small Lighting connector, not older iPhones with the larger 30-pin connector.

Android Auto
Odyssey EX models and above offer standard Android Auto compatibility. By connecting a compatible Android phone to the car using the phone’s USB cable (supplied with the phone) and the Odyssey’s USB data port, the Android Auto platform is enabled.

Android Auto puts some of your phone’s most useful Apps on the Odyssey’s audio display. You can get directions, send and receive messages, listen to audio books and music, all without the need to pick up your phone. Android Auto works with the Odyssey’s controls – both on the audio touchscreen and the steering wheel-mounted controls – so it’s simple and intuitive to use.

Android Auto’s voice control is specially designed for typical driving scenarios. A curated selection of available Android Auto apps is designed for use in the Odyssey, and are designed to help minimize the potential for driver distraction.

Android includes access to Google Maps, which can provide turn-by-turn directions, live traffic conditions, lane guidance and more.

Android Auto is designed to work with Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher.

SiriusXM® Radio
A new generation 2.0 version of SiriusXM® Radio is a standard feature in the EX and above trims, and it provides more than 165 channels of digital programming with near CD-quality sound. The SiriusXM® signal is beamed from two broadcast satellites positioned in geostationary orbit above Earth. The beams from these two broadcast satellites combine to span the entire continental United States and some of Canada.

SiriusXM® Radio programming includes channels devoted to music, sports, talk, traffic, weather, children’s programming and entertainment. When the audio system plays SiriusXM® Radio, the audio system displays the current category, station, song title or artist’s name.

This latest generation of SiriusXM includes many all-new features, including pause, fast forward and rewind. There is also an Instant Replay feature which allows listeners rewind the song they are currently listening to, or rewind a song/program on any of the presets. A new Sports Flash feature lets you listen to your favorite programming, and if your favorite team makes a big play in a live game that is being broadcast on SiriusXM, you will receive an on-screen alert. With a touch of a soft-key you can hear up to 30 seconds of audio before and including the big play.

HondaLink®
The Display Audio system with next generation HondaLink allows the customer’s digital lifestyle to seamlessly integrate with the car and provides access to a world of cloud-based information. The all-new application-based platform connects customers to online content both inside and outside the car. The connection between the system and the user’s smartphone is made through the Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® wireless interface. A HondaLink phone app provides convenient access for many services including location searches, local weather, messaging, Maintenance Minder alerts, service scheduling by phone, and access to the vehicle Owners Guide.

Siri Eyes Free
Adding another new premium feature, Odyssey EX and above integrate Apple’s Siri Eyes Free mode. Compatible iPhone® users will be able to operate Siri through familiar voice commands by pressing and holding the TALK button on the steering wheel when their iPhone is paired via Bluetooth®. Using Eyes Free mode, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further and helps to minimize the potential for distraction by keeping the iOS device’s screen from lighting up.

Owners can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Capabilities include:

  • Send text messages and e-mails
  • Read incoming text messages and emails
  • Set up calendar entries, reminders, and alarms
  • Check the weather
  • Turn-by-turn voice navigation (when the audio system is set to Bluetooth® Audio or iPod mode)
  • Sports scores and stock quotes

SMS Text Messaging
The Odyssey EX and above trims have a standard SMS text message function that can read incoming texts aloud over the audio system, and allow the driver to reply with any of six factory-preset messages. The system works with SMS-capable cell phones utilizing Blackberry or Android operating systems that have an active data plan and the Message Access Profile (MAP) and others. Apple iPhone models do not support this feature, but Siri Eyes Free Mode (iPhone 5, 6 and 7 at time of launch) offers the ability to initiate, hear and respond to text messages via voice commands.
 
Once a compatible phone is paired with the Odyssey’s Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® system, the user can enable the text messaging function. When the phone receives a text message, an alert appears on the audio touchscreen. Using the touchscreen, the driver can choose to have the message read aloud, can select among the preset reply choices, or can call the sender – all without touching the phone.
 
To help avoid driver distraction, the text of the incoming message is not displayed on screen unless the transmission is in Park.
 
Available factory preset text replies:

  • Talk to you later, I’m driving.
  • I’m on my way.
  • I’m running late.
  • OK
  • Yes
  • No

Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
The Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® interface is designed to offer hands-free operation for many Bluetooth®-enabled mobile telephones. Standard on all Odyssey models, the system wirelessly connects the driver’s cell phone to the vehicle’s audio system. This allows the driver to make or answer cell phone calls without removing hands from the steering wheel. The system is compatible with Bluetooth®-enabled cell phones that have the Hands Free Profile (HFP). A list of compatible phones can be found at handsfreelink.com or honda.com. 

Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® enables audio files to be played through the vehicle’s audio system wirelessly with a feature called Bluetooth® Audio. If a compatible audio device is paired, it allows the Bluetooth® device’s media to be played wirelessly by the audio system. Cell phone devices that support the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) 1.3 allow the display of metadata for artist, album and track name on the audio screen. The vehicle’s audio controls for “skip forward” and “skip backward” allow for navigation from track to track.

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic
Standard on the Odyssey EX-L NR, Touring and Elite, the integrated Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System uses GPS technology to provide drivers with turn-by-turn guidance to their chosen destination. This all-new navigation system, developed in cooperation with Garmin, offers many improvements, including enhanced graphics, speed limit display, customized vehicle icons, 3D buildings and terrain, turn-by-turn directions displayed in the instrument cluster and more. The system includes free map database updates for up to 5 years (initial purchase plus one yearly update each year for 4 years). The system includes the HD Digital Traffic feature, which alerts the driver to current traffic conditions and can display alternate routes around gridlock. It features expanded coverage including many surface streets within the U.S., allowing the driver to choose faster, less congested routes. HD Digital Traffic is subscription-free.

The navigation system can be controlled by voice or through the 8-inch capacitive touch-screen audio display utilizing its tap, pinch and swipe functionality. The voice-activation system can respond to more casual command phrases that require less user familiarization, in addition to the previous capability of being able to understand spoken city and street names. This logic applies to audio functionality of the audio/information screen. The navigation system can also be controlled by voice with conventional navigation commands like, “Find nearest Chinese restaurant” or “find nearest ATM.”

The audio system is automatically muted when the “Talk” button is pressed. The voice-recognition technology allows the driver to simply speak city and street names aloud, and the system responds by displaying the matches available in the database. Points of interest on the map – such as restaurants or grocery stores – can be displayed with brand logo icons or you can have the system provide turn-by-turn navigation, all by voice command. The massive point-of-interest (POI) database includes telephone numbers that can be dialed by using the Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® system when the driver’s cellular telephone is connected to the system.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System uses GPS in combination with detailed information from the vehicle’s mapping system to pinpoint the vehicle’s location and to provide a host of useful mapping and route guidance features. The system’s antenna receives positioning information from a network of 24 global positioning satellites. If the antenna is obstructed by a tunnel, a parking garage or a tall building, an internal gyroscopic system and a speed sensor track the location of the vehicle so that the map information remains current and reliable. The vehicle clock is independently controlled by GPS data, so when time zones are crossed while driving, the clock will automatically set itself to the current time.

Rear Entertainment System (EX-L NR, Touring and Elite)
The Odyssey’s available state-of-the-art, factory-integrated Rear Entertainment System (RES) is all new and features a 10.2-inch WSVGA (1024×600) display that swings down from the ceiling for easy viewing with low glare and better second- and third-row viewing.

For 2018, the Rear Entertainment System has expanded capability. Using the onboard 4G LTE data network (Touring and Elite) or a paired smartphone (data charges apply), the system offers functionality similar to that of a Smart TV with select content channels.

The system includes a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port for attaching high-definition players, digital TV devices such as Apple TV or Roku, compatible tablets and certain gaming consoles. A 115-volt power outlet rated for devices up to 150 watts is included, along with a pair of 2.5-amp USB ports. The system’s disc player is located in the center stack of the instrument panel, easily accessible by either the driver or front passenger. The system can play CDs, DVDs. and Blu-ray™ discs.

The Rear Entertainment System can play audio via the Odyssey’s speaker system, or through a pair of included wireless headphones. Two additional headphone jacks are also provided.

The Rear Entertainment System includes a fun, kid friendly, puppet themed “How Much Farther?” app. It functions as a “flight tracker,” with a colorful on-screen animated marionette play that counts down time and distance to the destination that has been set into the Odyssey’s navigation system. Multiple backgrounds with animation give the app a fun feel that’s engaging for children.

Audio Features  

USB Ports and Connectivity Features
With up to eight passengers aboard, in the Odyssey, connectivity is key. Based on trim level, the Odyssey has an expanding complement of connectivity features.

Connectivity Features