2018 Honda Odyssey arrives at the 2017 Detroit auto show packing plenty of tech

With the focus on catering to families, Honda has put a lot of work into making the cabin quieter, more flexible and packing in tech.

Honda claims its efforts give the new Odyssey the quietest interior in the segment.

The new Odyssey features a new Display Audio system, which is also capable of running both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

To keep the kids in back busy, the rear entertainment system can now stream video through an optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection.

The Odyssey is also more connected with a new CabinControl smartphone app, which lets passengers control rear entertainment, climate, upload music to the van's audio system and pre-load destinations into navigation.

Helping with parental oversight is an optional CabinWatch feature, which is a camera system that works both in day and night to monitor what potential troublemakers in back are doing on the front center screen.

If things get out of hand, parents can use a CabinTalk system to give kids a stern talking to through the rear speakers and entertainment headphones.

Providing power is a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower, which is 32 more ponies than the outgoing model.

Depending on trim, the engine works with either a nine- or 10-speed automatic transmission.

Interior updates don't end with the tech, though. A new Magic Slide second-row seat system brings four different seating configurations to meet all people moving, cargo hauling and accessibility needs.

Handling should also improve with the chassis and body structure using more high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium to help drop curb weight while improving structural rigidity by 44 percent.

Upgrades to the steering system and rear suspension also help sharpen reflexes.

The 2018 Honda Odyssey goes on sale this spring.

Base pricing isn't available yet, but it shouldn't be far off from the current van, which starts at $29,850.

The new Magic Slide seats enable the second-row seats to be configured in four different ways depending on people-moving, cargo-hauling and third-row accessibility needs.

With families in mind, Honda has focused on the interior by making it quieter, offering numerous entertainment features and a new Magic Slide second-row seat system.

A new Display Audio system features an 8-inch touchscreen that's capable of running both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A new CabinControl app lets passengers use their phones to control the rear entertainment system, rear climate controls and send destinations to the Odyssey's navigation system.

The Odyssey's CabinWatch system uses a camera that works both in the day and night to monitor the rear seats on the Display Audio system's 8-inch screen up front.

Thanks to triple door seals, more sound deadening, a standard noise cancellation system and available acoustic front and side glass, the 2018 Odyssey's interior is the quietest in the minivan class.

The new Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with cylinder deactivation. Power increases by 32 horsepower for a total of 280.

Two transmission options will be available on the 2018 Odyssey including a nine-speed and 10-speed automatic.

Compared to the outgoing van, the new Odyssey's chassis and body uses more high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium to cut weight by up to 96 pounds depending on trim level.

Improved handling: Body torsional rigidity is up by 44 percent, and there's a new electric power steering system as well as redesigned rear suspension.