Honda's Odyssey is the ultimate minivan experience

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California – The minivans I drove on family vacations in the 1980s were Flintstone Mobiles compared with the recently tested 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.

Oh, where were you when I needed you fair Odyssey?

The tested Odyssey was a mind-blowing combination of spectacular technology, entertainment features and pleasure perks.  It was a veritable amusement park on wheels.

The features in this fifth-generation Odyssey are so numerous that it’s hard to know where to begin … And once started, you don’t know where to stop, lest you leave out an eye-popping experience.

There’s the 4G LTE in-vehicle Wi-Fi that supports streaming video and music.  There’s the CabinTalk feature, sort of an in-car public address system that enables the driver to talk with second- and third-row passengers through entertainment system headphones of via speakers.

Then there’s the CabinWatch system that employs a ceiling-mounted camera with infrared capability, which enables the driver to keep an eye on back-seat passengers via an eight-inch display screen.

CabinControl works via an app that enables smartphone users to control the rear entertainment system, rear cabin climate and some aspects of the vehicle’s navigation system.  Part of CabinControl is the “Social Playlist,” which operates like a virtual jukebox, allowing up to seven passengers to upload their music choices to the audio system via smartphones.

“Magic Slide” seats can be quickly configured to the social patterns of the cabin.  Squabbling kids can be separated.  True pals can be closer together.

I know, can you believe it?

And I’m just touching the tip of the iceberg here.

On top of all this are multiple, state-of-the-art safety systems and top-tier interior comforts, including tri-zone climate control and heated/ventilated front seats.

The tester’s 3.5-liter V-6 with 280 horsepower was more than enough to handle most of the road chores, and the highly touted 10-speed automatic transmission handled things like a champ.  Freeway cruises were quiet and effortless.

How much for all this?  Well, the bottom line on the tested Odyssey Elite was $47,610, and yes, that is a big number to ponder.  But like I say, this vehicle has everything.

Even the gas mileage is pretty fair at 19 miles per gallon in the city and a notable 28 mpg on the highway.

For me, this 2018 Odyssey is the ultimate machine in the evolution of the minivan.  It’s hard to imagine how much more can be stuffed into this venerable family traveler, but somehow, I’m sure Honda is working on it right now.