“I wouldn't buy any other Van today on the market Honda Odyssey is the best. Just be mindful of all the options you need for you and your family before acquisition.”
2021 Honda Odyssey: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Honda Odyssey gets a mid-cycle refresh, led by updated exterior styling and the Honda Sensing safety suite becoming standard on every trim. It is a meaningful update, not a full redesign.
About the 2021 Honda Odyssey
5th gen (2018-2024), mid-cycle refresh year
Honda positions the Odyssey as a family-first minivan that blends everyday practicality with unusually thoughtful cabin design. Its core appeal is space, flexible seating, and family-friendly details like Magic Slide second-row seating, a fold-flat third row, and easy passenger access, backed by a strong V6 and standard safety tech. Against rivals, the Odyssey leans on drivability, smart interior packaging, and useful built-in family features rather than SUV-style image.
The 2021 Odyssey ranges from the practical LX, with a 3.5-liter V6 and a flexible third-row seat, to family-focused and luxury-oriented versions. EX adds power sliding doors, Magic Slide second-row seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Touring focuses on road trips with navigation, rear entertainment, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk, while Elite adds features such as ventilated front seats, a built-in vacuum, and wireless phone charging.
What changed, by category
Styling
Honda refreshed the front and rear styling. LED headlights became standard on every trim, and EX and Touring gained LED fog lights.
Safety
Honda Sensing became standard across the lineup after being added to LX. Adaptive cruise control gained Low-Speed Follow, traffic sign recognition joined the safety suite, and every trim received a rear-seat reminder.
Tech
EX gained illuminated USB ports, while Touring added a driver-side USB charging port for the third row. On Touring and Elite, the rear-seat reminder works with the CabinWatch rear-cabin camera.
Structural
The second-row seats gained a fold-flat design that makes them easier to remove.
Trim lineup
The separate EX-L with Navigation and Rear Entertainment System trim was dropped. Touring remained the version focused on built-in navigation and rear-seat entertainment.
2021 Honda Odyssey specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 144.9 cu-ft | 144.9 cu-ft | 140.7 cu-ft | 140.7 cu-ft | 140.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in |
| Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Top View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| Power Sliding Doors | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Bluetooth | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| USB Ports | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
The biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh that updates the exterior and makes the Honda Sensing safety suite standard on every trim. The update also brings standard LED headlights, expanded driver assistance, and a rear-seat reminder.
Does every 2021 Honda Odyssey have Honda Sensing?
Yes. Honda added the Honda Sensing safety suite to the LX for 2021, making it standard across the full lineup. It includes adaptive cruise control with Low-Speed Follow, lane-keeping assistance, and traffic sign recognition.
Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey a full redesign?
No. The 2021 Odyssey is a mid-cycle update within the fifth generation, which began for 2018. Its main revisions are refreshed styling, broader standard safety equipment, and several convenience upgrades.
What happened to the 2020 Odyssey EX-L with Navigation and Rear Entertainment System for 2021?
Honda dropped the separate EX-L with Navigation and Rear Entertainment System trim for 2021. The 2021 Touring has built-in navigation, a 10.2-inch rear entertainment screen, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk.
Are the second-row seats easier to remove in the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
Yes. The second-row seats fold flat for 2021, making them easier to handle and remove when more cargo room is needed.
2021 Honda Odyssey Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Honda Odyssey.
4.2
2021 Honda Odyssey
(814 reviews)
“The interior 2nd row seats is a disaster for us. They need to be capable of being folded down into the floor like the 3rd row seats. We removed the seats but the mechanism for sliding the seats sideways is still there and completely in the way!”
“The Honda Odyssey is very spacious, lots of leg room, and interior space. Very amazing minivan that's huge on safety and comfort.”