Before You Buy

Honda Odyssey: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Minivan · Minivan

MSRP Range$42,795–$51,695
A silver 2026 Honda Odyssey minivan parked in a school pickup line in soft late-afternoon light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Engine3.5L V6, 280 hp / 262 lb-ft
Transmission10-speed automatic
Fuel Economy19/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Buy
83/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • Multiple IIHS Top Safety Pick / Top Safety Pick+ awards across recent model years
  • Best-in-class family-friendly features: Magic Slide 2nd-row seats, class-exclusive cabin talk/vacuum options on higher trims
  • RepairPal ranks it 3rd of 8 minivans — a stronger class-relative reliability position than the Sienna
  • 280-hp V6 feels stronger off the line than the Sienna's hybrid four-cylinder

Cons

  • 19/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined is well behind the Sienna's 36 mpg hybrid rating
  • Variable Cylinder Management has a history of spark-plug fouling and oil-consumption complaints on some model years
  • iSeeCars shows faster 5-year depreciation (41.1%) than the Sienna (36.5%)
  • No minivan, including the Odyssey, earns a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick under the updated rear-seat crash test

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

Honda's V6 has a long track record of running well past 200,000 miles, and the Odyssey carries Honda's overall brand reliability reputation. The main caveat is Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which has caused spark-plug fouling and oil-related complaints on some model years — routine plug and oil-quality upkeep largely prevents it.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

60/100

Approachable overall, though a first-time buyer should budget a little extra for insurance or upkeep.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Routine oil changes and tire rotations

60,000 miles

Spark plug inspection — Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) can foul plugs in the deactivated cylinders on some model years
Transmission fluid service

100,000 miles

Timing belt/water pump on applicable model years
Brake pad and rotor replacement

150,000 miles

Sliding door track and motor wear from years of daily use
Suspension bushings

200,000+ miles

Engine and 10-speed transmission commonly still running strong with routine upkeep and attentive oil changes

What It Actually Costs to Own

The V6's thirst for fuel is the Odyssey's biggest ongoing cost versus the hybrid-only Sienna — budget nearly double the annual fuel spend. iSeeCars also shows it depreciating faster than the Sienna over 5 years.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,910
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,440
Estimated Annual Maintenance$480
Estimated Annual Repairs$547
Estimated Annual Registration$190
5-Year Depreciation~41% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine3.5L V6, 280 hp / 262 lb-ft
Transmission10-speed automatic
Fuel Economy19/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive
Seating7 or 8, depending on trim
Warranty3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Honda Odyssey, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific Odyssey, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

Similar Vehicles

A dark blue 2026 Toyota Sienna minivan parked in front of a suburban home in soft morning light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Buy
Minivan

2026 Toyota Sienna

$41,915–$59,305

85
A dark gray 2026 Honda Pilot parked outside a youth sports field in late-afternoon daylight, shot candidly with a soccer bag visible nearby.
Buy
Midsize 3-Row SUV

2026 Honda Pilot

$42,395–$55,195

80
A dark blue 2026 Kia Telluride parked outside a school pickup line in daylight, shot candidly with a family loading kids into the back.
Buy
Midsize 3-Row SUV

2026 Kia Telluride

$36,890–$48,000

81

Sources: RepairPal model reliability score (3.5/5.0), annual repair cost ($547), and 3rd-of-8 minivan ranking: repairpal.com/reliability/honda/odyssey (live lookup, 2026). iSeeCars 5-year depreciation (41.1%, worse than the Sienna's 36.5%): iseecars.com Odyssey-vs-Sienna comparison page (live lookup, 2026). 2026 MSRP ($42,795–$51,695), V6/10-speed specs, and mpg: kbb.com and automobiles.honda.com/odyssey 2026 pricing (live lookup, 2026). Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) spark-plug fouling and piston-ring complaint history: odyclub.com VCM megathread and bogleheads.org forum discussion (live lookup, 2026). IIHS Top Safety Pick/Pick+ history (2020-2025) and the 2026 rear-seat-test gap affecting all minivans: iihs.org Odyssey ratings pages and hondanews.com press releases (live lookup, 2026).