• 2026 Odyssey e:HEV gains rear sunshades and new paint.
  • Minor updates come with a ¥286,000 ($1,800) price increase.
  • Customer interest remains low amid strong competition.

Honda has quietly rolled out the 2026 Odyssey e:HEV in Japan, but there’s little reason to make noise about it. The update arrives with barely any changes, yet still manages to carry a ¥286,000 ($1,800) price hike over the outgoing model, a curious move for a model that’s already struggling to attract buyers.

More: This Honda Odyssey Type R With A Manual Just Made Every Dad A Hero

Despite wearing the same badge, the JDM Odyssey has no connection to the North American version. The current generation sold in Japan has been around since 2013, though a pair of successive facelifts have attempted to keep its design up to date.

After shutting down domestic production in late 2021, Honda revived the nameplate in 2023 by importing units from China, a move that brought the minivan back without much evolution.

For the 2026 model year, exterior tweaks are limited to a single new paint option. Diamond Dust Pearl, said to mimic the glint of ice crystals in the sky, is reserved for the Black Edition trim. That variant also gets gloss black accents and matching 18-inch wheels, rounding out the visual changes.

Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years

The interior is also carried over, and the only change is the addition of manual roll sunshades on the rear windows. These were already available as an option with a cost of ¥27,500 ($180 at current exchange rates) plus installation, so they can’t justify the aforementioned price hike.

Mechanically, nothing has changed either. The Odyssey continues with the same hybrid setup: a 2.0-liter petrol engine paired with a single electric motor, producing a combined 181 hp (131 kW / 184 PS). Power is sent to the front wheels via an E-CVT transmission.

The Price Increase

Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years
Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years

The 2026 Odyssey e:HEV is now on sale in Japan with prices ranging from ¥5,086,400 to ¥5,450,500 ($32,800 to $35,200). That’s a flat ¥286,000 ($1,800) jump across the board compared to last year.

To put that in context, Toyota’s Alphard starts at a comparable ¥5,100,000 but stretches all the way to ¥8,820,000 ($32,900 to $56,900). Meanwhile, Nissan’s next-gen Elgrand is due in summer 2026 and may shake up the segment further.

More: Nissan’s Elgrand Minivan Returns With A Design So Wild It Feels Like A Concept

According to Creative Trend, customer interest in the large Honda minivan remains low, with one dealer reportedly receiving just a single order since the 2026 model year was announced last month. The outlet notes growing concern among dealers about the model’s competitiveness, with many viewing a full redesign as overdue.

Honda’s Other Odyssey Is Built In China And Still Kicking In Japan After 12 Years

Indeed, the Odyssey lacks some premium features found in rival offerings such as four-zone climate control, panoramic roof, heated steering wheel, seat ventilation, head-up display, and more.

Fortunately, those who live in Japan and want a Honda minivan have cheaper options. The medium-sized Step WGN starts at ¥3,348,400 ($21,600), with smaller Freed priced from ¥2,623,500 ($16,900).