The 2018 Honda Odyssey 3.5L 6-cylinder gets 22 MPG combined. Minivan buyers aren’t expecting Prius-like fuel economy. The Odyssey offers carefully considered efficiency for families who prioritize space, practicality, and reliability. It’s the price of entry into the minivan segment, an acceptable trade-off for hauling kids, cargo and everything else.

City and highway performance

The 2018 Odyssey, with its 3.5L V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission (S10), gets 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects the stop-and-go of suburban life with school drop-offs, grocery runs, and errands. The highway number shows its ability on long road trips, minimizing fuel stops for family vacations. While newer minivans have better numbers, these figures were respectable for its time.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Honda Odyssey at $2,000. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using a national average fuel price. It’s a useful benchmark, but your actual expenses will vary depending on your driving, local fuel prices, and gasoline grade. While the Odyssey doesn’t require premium fuel, using it could slightly improve performance and potentially offset the cost.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a reference point, but your real-world MPG will fluctuate based on your driving and conditions. Aggressive acceleration, heavy braking, and a full load of passengers and cargo will increase fuel consumption. Smooth driving, minimizing idling, and properly inflated tires can help you get closer to the advertised figures, which you can compare with ODYSSEY MPG across all years.

How it compares

The 2018 Odyssey’s fuel economy is in the middle of its class. The Chrysler Pacifica, a direct rival, gets an EPA-estimated 19 MPG city and 28 MPG highway in its non-hybrid form, mirroring the Odyssey’s numbers. The Toyota Sienna also delivered similar numbers with its 2018 model. The Kia Sedona was slightly behind. Even small differences can add up, a key thing to consider when budget-consciousness is essential. Many families check all Honda fuel economy data before deciding.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Anticipate traffic flow and avoid sudden acceleration or braking. The Odyssey’s V6 delivers ample power, but using it carefully will improve your fuel efficiency. Be gentle with the accelerator, especially at slower speeds, and maintain a consistent speed on the highway.

Remove unnecessary cargo. Minivans often become mobile storage. The more weight you carry, the harder the engine works, and the more fuel you burn. Clean out the clutter regularly.

Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which hurts fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate tires to the pressure listed on the driver’s side door jamb.

Minimize idling time. Idling wastes fuel, especially in modern engines. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine, especially during school pick-up lines or while waiting.

Consider using cruise control on long highway drives. Cruise control helps maintain a consistent speed, which can improve fuel economy. Be mindful of hilly terrain, where cruise control might cause the transmission to downshift often, losing some of the fuel savings.