Honda Odyssey Elite Review (2025–)

The 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite is a V6-powered 8-passenger minivan with the segment's best driving dynamics, in-cabin features and Magic Slide second row.

2026 Honda Odyssey price and what carried over

The review body below describes the 2025 Elite, while these figures are for the 2026 model year. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 Odyssey at 44,245 dollars for the EX-L, 45,345 dollars for the Sport-L, 48,945 dollars for the Touring, and 53,145 dollars for the Elite. Kelley Blue Book also says the Odyssey continues into 2026 with no notable changes after the second mid-cycle refresh of its fifth generation the year before, so shoppers comparing the two model years are looking at a largely carried-over package rather than another substantial update.

The Odyssey specification table on this page lists a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower, a 10-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, a 19.5-gallon fuel tank, about 429 miles of estimated range, up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, 4,593 pounds of curb weight, and seating for eight. Kelley Blue Book also lists eight seats and about 155.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume for the 2026 model. Those figures help frame what the current Odyssey offers beyond trim pricing: a conventional V6 minivan layout with three-row seating and substantial cargo capacity.

Vehicle Overview

Key Specifications (Honda Odyssey Elite)

0–60 mph: 7s

Exterior Design

Refreshed for 2025 with new front fascia

19" alloys on Elite

Power dual sliding doors with hands-free operation

Interior, Comfort & Materials

Magic Slide second-row captain's chairs

CabinWatch and CabinTalk standard on Elite

11-speaker premium audio

Built-in vacuum on Elite

Features & Infotainment

Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto

Honda Sensing 360+

Available rear-seat entertainment system

Is the Honda Odyssey safe? The IIHS safety picture

The 2025 Odyssey is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK. IIHS does not list a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award for the Odyssey. Our guide to IIHS safety ratings explains what the tiers mean. In the updated moderate overlap front test, the Odyssey is rated POOR, with the rear passenger head and neck measurement the weakest part of that result. IIHS says the 2025 POOR moderate overlap result was based on both tests and identified concerns about rear passenger head and neck measurements. Our family-car buying guide sets out how to weigh results like this. A family buyer shopping a minivan should weigh a POOR rear-passenger result in the newer test, and that rating belongs to IIHS, not to this site.

Beyond that result, IIHS rates both the 2025 and 2026 Odyssey GOOD in the small overlap front test and GOOD in the updated side test. Headlights are rated ACCEPTABLE, front crash prevention for pedestrians is ACCEPTABLE, seat belt reminders are GOOD, and child seat anchors are GOOD. For the 2026 model, IIHS notes extra LATCH positions with the child seat anchor rating. Separately, NHTSA recall campaign 26V227 covers certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles for a software issue that can cause unexpected side and side curtain air bag deployment; the 2026 model year is not covered by that campaign.

Safety & Ratings

Honda Sensing 360+ standard

Driving Performance & Handling

A 280 hp V6 and 10-speed automatic give the Odyssey a 7.0-second 0–60 — brisk for a 4,593 lb, 8-passenger box — and best-driving minivan has long been this model's claim on the class. Note that it is FWD only; there is no AWD to answer the Sienna.

Honda Odyssey gas mileage and estimated running costs

Kelley Blue Book gives the 2026 Odyssey EPA fuel economy at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Using the combined figure, 12,000 miles of annual driving works out to about 545 gallons of gasoline. At the AAA national average regular-gas price of 4.4768 dollars per gallon read on September 28, 2026, that is roughly 2,442 dollars in annual fuel cost, a figure that moves with the pump price covered in why gas prices are so high in 2026. This is an estimate calculated from the EPA combined figure and one day's national average fuel price, not measured consumption, so an individual owner's spending can differ.

The Odyssey's own specification table lists a 19.5-gallon fuel tank and about 429 miles of estimated range. Those numbers give shoppers another way to think about real fuel use alongside the EPA ratings, although actual refueling frequency will still depend on driving conditions and fuel use. For budget comparisons the combined EPA figure is the most useful number, because it can be applied consistently across competing models. The 22 mpg combined rating also matters when comparing the Odyssey with hybrid-only alternatives that use less fuel under the same EPA-based calculation, part of the shift traced in why hybrids are outselling EVs.

Fuel Efficiency

Practicality & Everyday Usability

144.9 cu ft cargo with all seats folded

Magic Slide allows incredibly flexible seating arrangements

Built-in vacuum and HondaVAC on Elite

Warranty & Maintenance

On-Road Price & Value for Money

Starting at $51,100 in Elite trim, the Odyssey is priced as the loaded choice, and against the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica and Kia Carnival it concedes the efficiency argument — 22 MPG combined with no hybrid offered. The money instead goes to Magic Slide seating, CabinWatch and the built-in vacuum — the family-tech case for choosing it.

Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna: the hybrid gap

The biggest mechanical difference between the Odyssey and the Sienna is the powertrain. The Odyssey specification table lists a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower, a 10-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive. Kelley Blue Book says the 2026 Toyota Sienna is hybrid only, using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor for 245 horsepower. Kelley Blue Book rates the Sienna at 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg with all-wheel drive, while the Odyssey is rated at 22 mpg combined. The Odyssey seats eight; Kelley Blue Book says the Sienna seats up to eight, with captain's chairs and seven seats on higher trims.

Pricing also overlaps without being identical. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 Sienna LE at 41,915 dollars and the top Platinum at 59,300 dollars, compared with 44,245 dollars for the Odyssey EX-L and 53,145 dollars for the Odyssey Elite. At 12,000 miles a year and the cited AAA national average gasoline price, the 36 mpg Sienna estimate is about 1,492 dollars in annual fuel versus about 2,442 dollars for the Odyssey, a difference of roughly 950 dollars. These are EPA-based estimates using one day's national average fuel price, not measured real-world consumption.

Comparison with Rivals

Key competitors include the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica and Kia Carnival.

The Sienna offers AWD and hybrid efficiency; the Pacifica is the only PHEV. The Odyssey wins on driving dynamics and the brilliant Magic Slide system.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best-driving minivan

Magic Slide second row

CabinWatch/Talk and built-in vacuum

Roomy 8-passenger cabin

Cons

No hybrid option

No AWD option

Fuel economy trails Sienna Hybrid

Overall Rating

4.4 / 5 — the driver's minivan with the cleverest seating trick in the class; going without a hybrid or AWD option is what separates it from a higher score.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Odyssey Elite is the most engaging minivan and arguably the best-equipped. If hybrid efficiency or AWD aren't priorities, this is the family hauler to beat.

Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.