Is Honda Odyssey manual or automatic?
In short, the Honda Odyssey is offered only with an automatic transmission.
For readers, the question matters because transmission type affects driving experience, maintenance, and resale. This article explains the current state of the Odyssey's transmission, and how it has evolved across generations, focusing on markets such as the United States, Canada, and Europe where the model is sold.
Transmission type in the Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey has never been offered with a manual gearbox in the major markets where it is sold. Across its generations, the family minivan has been paired with an automatic transmission (not a manual or a CVT). This aligns with Honda’s broader approach to minivans, prioritizing ease of use and reliability for family driving.
- There is no manual transmission option for the Honda Odyssey in the United States, Canada, or most other primary markets.
- All Odyssey models use an automatic transmission, giving drivers a conventional, torque-converter setup rather than a manual shift.
- Over the model’s history, the exact gear-count of the automatic has changed with generations, but the vehicle has never offered a manual gearbox in standard trims.
Bottom line: If you are shopping for a Honda Odyssey, expect an automatic transmission only.
Historical evolution of the Odyssey’s transmission
Honda’s approach to the Odyssey’s drivetrain has evolved to improve performance and efficiency while maintaining user-friendly operation. However, across these changes, a manual option has not been introduced for this model in key markets.
Early generations
The earliest Honda Odyssey models used a traditional automatic transmission. There was no manual version offered, and the setup aimed to deliver smooth, predictable shifts for family use.
Current generation
In the latest generations, Honda continues to equip the Odyssey with a conventional automatic transmission. The focus remains on reliability and ease of driving for daily duties, rather than offering a manual alternative.
What this means for buyers
For shoppers who specifically want a manual transmission, the Odyssey won’t meet that criterion. If a manual shift is essential, buyers would need to consider alternative minivan options from other brands or explore used-market vehicles where a manual variant might exist outside North America. For most buyers, the automatic Odyssey offers straightforward operation and strong practicality for family travel.
Summary
The Honda Odyssey is an automatic-only minivan in its primary markets. There has never been a manual transmission option for the model in the United States, Canada, or most of Europe. Across generations, Honda has maintained an automatic, non-CVT setup, prioritizing ease of use and reliability for family users. If you need a manual gearbox, you’ll want to look at other models or brands.
Why is Honda discontinuing the Odyssey?
As a refresher, Honda decided to discontinue the Odyssey in the Philippine market due to the closure of the automaker's Sayama production plant in Japan.
Did the Honda Odyssey come in manual?
No, the production Honda Odyssey was never offered with a manual transmission in the North American market; it has always been exclusively automatic. However, custom, one-off manual versions have been created as one-off builds, often featuring a six-speed manual transmission and a V6 engine, which are not production models, notes Carscoops.
- Production: The Honda Odyssey has always come with an automatic transmission in its standard production models in North America.
- Custom Builds: Enthusiasts have built unique, manual-transmission Odysseys as custom projects, often by swapping in a manual gearbox and sometimes a different engine from another Honda model, such as a Civic Type R engine.
What kind of transmission does a Honda Odyssey have?
The Honda Odyssey is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission for the 2020 model year and newer, which all trims have had since 2020. For the 2019 model year, the Touring and Elite trims featured the 10-speed automatic, while other trims had a 9-speed automatic transmission. Earlier generations have used different automatic transmissions, such as 5-speed and 4-speed automatics.
- 2020 and newer: All trims come with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
- 2019: Touring and Elite trims have a 10-speed automatic transmission. LX, EX, and EX-L trims have a 9-speed automatic transmission.
- Older models: Older generations, such as the third generation (2005-2010), used a 5-speed automatic, and the second generation (1999-2004) used 4 or 5-speed automatics.
Do any Hondas have manual transmission?
Yes, Honda still makes manual transmissions, but they are now primarily limited to performance models like the Civic Si and Civic Type R. While some non-performance models like the standard Civic sedan and hatchback used to be available with a manual, they are being phased out in favor of automatic transmissions.
- Civic Si: This model continues to be offered with a manual transmission, which provides a more engaging driving experience.
- Civic Type R: Honda's high-performance hot hatch is exclusively available with a manual gearbox.
- Standard Civic: The regular Civic sedan and hatchback lost their manual transmission options with the 2025 model year facelift.
