It is no secret that my family drives to our destinations 9 times out of 10. So much so that when a friend recently asked me if I had status with any of the airlines, I all but laughed out loud.
Give our family the open road and we embrace the journey. Gas station snacks? We are all about them. A great playlist? Bring it on.
However, I have to admit there is a chill that goes down my spine as we load the last bag in the vehicle, and start the ignition.
With 2 kids, I never know what their demeanors will be. How many times will I hear “are we there yet?”
Will there be fighting amongst the kids? Who am I kidding, of course, there will be fighting between my kids.
A chance to drive a 2018 Honda Odyssey.
So when the opportunity arose to drive the all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey, I quickly jumped on it.
You see, I have been eyeballing my mom friends Odyssey’s for years. In my book, the Odyssey is and always has been the most attractive minivan on the market.
This was quickly confirmed when my friends said things like “this is a sexy vehicle” and “now this is a luxury car.” Y’all, these things were being said about the minivan.
But I got it. I really did. This vehicle has everything that a busy mom (or dad) who practically live in their car, could ever want.
The driver’s seat seemed to cradle me saying:
6-hour road trip? We’ve got this.
PTA Meetings, grocery runs, and carpool? Girl, I’ve got you.
A rare girls night? Turn those tunes up.
The 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite had features that seem to anticipate the needs that most parent drivers have.
Quite possibly the favorite feature between myself and my children was cabin watch. My kids loved making funny faces at the camera. I loved being able to covertly keep an eye on what was going on in the back seat. Distracting to the driver? Maybe, but one way or the other parents are going see what is going on in the backseat between their kiddos.
So, being able to see your backseat passengers with the touch of a button, day or night, was a feature that I quickly learned to love.
Cabin Talk goes hand in hand with cabin watch, don’t want to scream to be heard in the way back? Cabin watch will amplify your voice for you. Think your kids are zoned out on the movie they are watching with the Bluetooth headphones? Cabin talk has you covered with the ability to interrupt their show long enough to communicate.
Or as my husband put it, if you want to lose your s&*^ with your kids in the car you can do it in stereo with cabin talk. Not that it ever happens, right moms?
Entertainment options in the 2018 Honda Odyssey:
Between, the 4G LTE WiFi option (hello getting work done while waiting in car rider line) and the robust rear entertainment system. The 2018 Honda Odyssey has everything that passengers could want.
The rear entertainment system had the typical DVD option, but in addition to that, it had apps like PBS kids and iHeart Radio to name just a few.
My kids really loved the how much longer app. It tracks along with the vehicle’s navigation system telling your kids how many more miles, giving them checkpoint along the way and approximate time of arrival. You know, assuming there aren’t any bathroom stops.
I don’t know if this qualifies as entertainment but, on the front console, there is a wireless charging pad for your phone. It was so nice not to have to deal with cords while driving. Put your phone on the pad and you are charging!
2nd Row Magic Seats
In the middle row, if the center seat is removed, you have the ability to configure the captain’s chairs into a wide variety of options. Have a little baby that you want to have within arms reach of the front seats? No problem, slide the seat in and up. Have two kids who pick on each other the entire.time. they are riding in the car? Spread those suckers as far apart as you can get them.
Having the option to work seating out in a way that works best for your family was something that I really liked.
HondaVac
This feature has been available for a few years now, but it was the first time that I got to give it a try myself. You guys, this feature is a game changer. Think about how much less nagging would happen between husband and wives if your vehicle was semi-clean when he got in the car! Or even how much less embarrassment you would have to deal with when your friends pile in the car. Game changer I say.
Intuitive Safety Features
Something that has become increasingly more popular are features that make a vehicle somewhat of a ‘self-driving car. ‘ While the Odyssey still needs you, the driver, it has the ability with lane keeping assist to help make the driver’s life just a bit easier. Once, the vehicle is at a speed over 45 miles per hour and is driving on a road with clearly marked lanes. Should the vehicle detect that you are drifting from the center of your lane, it will gently steer you back to the center of the lane. Here’s the way that I look at it, should you take your hands off the wheel and let the car steer for you? Probably not. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to hand something to one of the passengers in your backseat and find yourself slightly out of your lane, the Odyssey has your back.
Additionally, the car will flash a BRAKE warning, should it sense that you are quickly approaching the car in front of you. If action isn’t taken, the system will engage brakes to (hopefully) avoid a collision.
It was so easy to fall in love with the all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey because it was obvious that the folks who designed the car are parents.
I did a video tour of the car that you can watch, just be warned that I find myself super awkward on video!