The Simple Reason Why the 2018 Honda Odyssey Isn't AWD
When Honda unveiled the new Odyssey minivan, it highlighted its boosted engine output, added gears, enhanced interior functionality, and the ability to spy on your entire family via its unique in-car surveillance system. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, however, was all-wheel drive.
Despite Toyota’s Sienna offering optional AWD and Chrysler admitting that it’s considering a future incarnation of the Pacifica platform with all-wheel drive, Honda decided to keep the Odyssey a purely two-wheel affair. That’s an odd choice considering sport utility traits are currently en vogue and it rides on the same platform as the AWD Ridgeline, MDX, and Pilot. So why didn’t the engineers at Honda just toss on a transfer case and call it a day?
Because that would spoil everything that made the Odyssey a great minivan.
“We looked at it, and one of the things we know is in order to put in all-wheel drive, we’re going to have to raise the vehicle and we’re going to compromise the interior,” John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda, told Automotive News. “We really don’t want to do that.”
SEE ALSO: All-New 2018 Honda Odyssey Offers Quieter Cabin, 10-Speed Transmission
Honda claims it was fixated on establishing a versatile and functional interior — and that adding AWD would have stymied its efforts. After all, the cabin space is where minivans typically shine the brightest and Honda’s “Magic Slide” second-row seats are something company seems particularly proud of. They might not have been possible with a prop shaft running down the vehicle’s center.
There is also a highly dedicated consumer group that prefers the flexibility and low load heights. Raising the Odyssey would only serve to alienate them and sabotage its role as a family hauler. Besides, ground-clearance and AWD-obsessed families aren’t going to want a lifted minivan anyway.
“For that customer, we have the Pilot,” Mendel said.
A version of this story originally appeared on The Truth About Cars
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RWD Sedan for me.. Handles great, 35 MPG, plenty of storage, fold down back seats, 4 adults in comfort. It's great in the snow with the Continental DWS tires.. Stability control / traction control really makes it a non-issue. How many of you have more than 2 kids anyway?
Toyata is very good in technology wise, honda is poor compare to TOYOTA. I have Odyssey, its white elephant we can't use that on snow day.