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Generation Guide · 2018–present Honda Odyssey · Minivan

2018–present Honda Odyssey Review: Should You Buy It?

3 min read

Also worth reading: 2011–2017 Honda Odyssey Buying Guide, Honda Odyssey Buying Guide and Best Honda Odyssey Years.

The 2018–present Honda Odyssey covers the 5th gen generation from start to finish. Mechanically these years are the same car — same platform, same engine family, same failure points — so shop the individual car's condition and service history rather than chasing a specific model year. 2021+ Elite/Touring are peak Odyssey. Verify sliding doors and TSBs are up to date.

Analyze a 2018–present Odyssey Listing →
Quick Verdict
⭐ Overall verdict
4.6/5 · Excellent
Reliability
4.5/5 · Excellent
Known problems
Early 9-speed shift-quality complaints (fixed under TSB), Infotainment lockups on early cars, Sliding door adjustment issues
Recommended?
Yes — a strong used buy
Better alternatives
The 2011–2017 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package.
Maintenance
4.3/5 · Very good

Bottom line: Strong buy — one of the standout picks in its class.

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Buy Score · 2018–present only
★★★★★4.6/5
Strong buy — one of the standout picks in its class.
Reliability· 2018–present only
★★★★★4.5/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.3/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.3/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.8/5

This score covers 2018–present only. The model guide scores the Odyssey across all generations.

Model-year changes

What's New in the 2018–present Odyssey?

This generation launched in 2018: New platform, 10-speed automatic on higher trims, Magic Slide 2nd row seats. Mid-cycle updates landed in 2021, so later cars in the span pick up interior and tech revisions. Powertrain and core hardware carry over across the span, which is exactly why we cover the whole generation on one page instead of splitting near-identical years apart.

Engines
  • • 3.5L J35 V6
Transmissions
  • • 9-speed automatic
  • • 10-speed automatic (Elite)
Reliability

How Reliable Is the 2018–present Odyssey?

Across 2018–present, reliability tracks the generation as a whole rather than any one model year. Early-build cars (2018–2019) carry the usual first-run risk, and late-run cars have had years of TSB and running fixes applied. The issues that actually decide whether a car is worth buying: Early 9-speed shift-quality complaints (fixed under TSB); Infotainment lockups on early cars; Sliding door adjustment issues.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓Early 9-speed shift-quality complaints (fixed under TSB)
  • ✓Infotainment lockups on early cars
  • ✓Sliding door adjustment issues
Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Expect Odyssey maintenance costs typical of the 5th gen generation. Engines: 3.5L J35 V6. Transmissions: 9-speed automatic / 10-speed automatic (Elite). Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2026 Honda Odyssey are cheap and widely available.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

Focused on what tends to fail on the 5th gen generation.

Engine
Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due.
Transmission
Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell.
Suspension
Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps.
Cooling System
Coolant color, pressure test, radiator condition, water-pump seepage.
Electronics
Infotainment boot time, cameras, driver-assist calibration, power seats and windows.
Interior
Dashboard cracks in hot climates, seat bolster wear, headliner sagging.
Service Records
Verify recall completion, timing-belt/water-pump history, transmission service intervals.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a 2018–present Odyssey?

Within 2018–present, condition and maintenance history beat model year almost every time. Later cars in the span are typically the most sorted; earlier cars are the cheapest way into the generation. If a 2018–present Honda Odyssey passes a pre-purchase inspection with the known weak points checked, it's a defensible used buy. Strengths in this generation: Best-driving minivan, Excellent family features.

Best for: Buyers cross-shopping the whole 5th gen generation of the Honda Odyssey rather than one specific model year.

Better alternatives

Consider Instead

The 2011–2017 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package.

← 2011–2017 OdysseyBest Odyssey YearsOdyssey Years to Avoid

People Also Ask

Is the 2018–present Honda Odyssey reliable?

Verdict rates it 4.5/5 for reliability and 4.6/5 as a buy. The faults that decide a given car are listed below — check those, not the badge.

What engine does the 2018–present Honda Odyssey use?

The 5th gen generation offered 3.5L J35 V6. Which one you buy matters more for long-term cost than trim level does.

Is the 2018–present Honda Odyssey worth buying today?

It scores 4.6/5 as a used buy, with running costs at 4.3/5. Worth buying when the car has records and clears an inspection covering its engine, transmission and suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018–present Honda Odyssey reliable?
Reliability comes out at 4.5/5 in our scoring for this generation. Treat that as the starting point and let the car’s own records and inspection result decide the rest.
Should I buy a 2018–present Honda Odyssey?
Buy one when it comes with records and passes an independent inspection. On this year the deciding factors are condition and history, not mileage or trim.
What are the common problems on the 2018–present Honda Odyssey?
Early 9-speed shift-quality complaints (fixed under TSB); Infotainment lockups on early cars; Sliding door adjustment issues
Is the 2018–present Honda Odyssey expensive to maintain?
Running costs rate 4.3/5 for this generation, with parts easy enough to source. Budget for the generation-specific repairs listed above rather than for routine servicing.
What's new in the 2018–present Odyssey?
It sits in the 5th gen generation (2018–present). The generation section above covers what changed and when.
What engines and transmissions did the 2018–present Honda Odyssey come with?
Engines: 3.5L J35 V6. Transmissions: 9-speed automatic, 10-speed automatic (Elite).
What should I inspect on a used 2018–present Honda Odyssey?
Engine: Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due. Transmission: Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell. Suspension: Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps. Cooling System: Coolant color, pressure test, radiator condition, water-pump seepage.
Who is a 2018–present Honda Odyssey best for?
Buyers who want this generation's specific combination of 3.5L J35 V6 and minivan practicality, bought on records rather than on the lowest odometer reading.
Should I consider a different year instead?
Worth comparing against the adjacent years in this generation (2017) — pricing often moves more than the mechanical difference does.
Generation guide

Honda Odyssey Generations

Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.

  1. Generation 1

    3rd gen · 2005–2010

    Wider body, available Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) on higher trims, 5-speed automatic.

    2005–2010 Odyssey guide
  2. Generation 2

    4th gen · 2011–2017

    Lightning-bolt beltline, refined ride, class-leading interior.

    2011–2017 Odyssey guide
  3. Generation 3

    5th gen · 2018–2026

    New platform, 10-speed automatic on higher trims, Magic Slide 2nd row seats.

    2018–2026 Odyssey guide

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