My wife's 2013 Odyssey with 140k has been one problem after another, even setting aside self-inflicted issues. It's gone through 2 alternators, several other electrical gremlins, malfunctioning sunroof, a transmission leak, etc. It's time to move on.

We agree that the replacement will be another minivan, but aren't set on what comes next. Did we just get a bad an apple or is Honda not what it used to be? Ideally we'd find a well-maintained low mileage 2-4 year old car. The look of the Carnival is appealing but paying $30-40k for a used Kia (depending on trim level) feels crazy. She doesn't like the look of the Sienna and I don't trust Chrysler.

Thoughts/recommendations?

I can't vouch for the Kia one way or the other, but normally you're pretty safe going with Honda or Toyota minivans. I know you said your wife doesn't like the look of the Sienna but I'd at least give it a test drive to see if that does anything to change her mind. Our last vehicle was a Sienna before we switched to an SUV and we had no issues with the Sienna at any point. I'd just go with another Odyssey if there's no chance she'd want a Sienna. I'd stay away from the Chrysler products as well.

I know this is a nit-pick but I can't buy/drive a vehicle called the Carnival, it almost feels like an SNL sketch that turned into reality.

Your mileage may vary (pun intended) but after 4 generations of Honda Odysseys we cut bait. They were all plagued by numerous issues, most notably alignment/tire wear as one of the techs at Honda admitted that while Honda has loaded the minivan with more and more features, the suspension is woefully underspec'd and they see that a lot. The last model chewed through tires like we had Z rated tires doing burnouts every day.

We switched to a Toyota Sienna and it's much better (the hybrid mileage is fantastic) but it also has its minor issues. I can put up with rattles, tech lag, etc. much better than constant visits to the dealership for maintenance issues.

I have no experience with the Kia.

Replaced my wife's 2016 Odyssey this summer, had 187k miles with few problems until recently. She really wanted another Odyssey until we looked at them. Last major refresh was in 2019 so it's dated compared to it's competitors.

Her next choice was a Sienna which we both liked but they are in shorty supply. They're already the most expensive of the minivans and the only dealership in Houston that had some in the trim we wanted was asking $6,700 over MSRP after all the BS add-ons.

She initially didn't want to look at the Carnival due to it being a Kia but ended up liking it as much as the Sienna. It had all the features we wanted that the Sienna had plus some. For the top trims we were looking at a $15k price difference between the two. Perceived reliability, resale, and better gas mileage were the only things we really liked better in the Sienna than the Carnival but the price gap was too large. That and getting the exact model we wanted could take months.

I take it you bought the Kia? How do you like it so far?

P.H. Dexippus said:

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I take it you bought the Kia? How do you like it so far?

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Yes went with the Kia. The only thing my wife has found she doesn't like about it is that it's a little slower than her old Odyssey and the range isn't as far. Everything else about it she likes more. Lots of electronics, cameras and random other features. One thing she liked her old Odyssey had was the side view camera when you use the blinker. They did away with that on the newer Odyssey's, the Kia is now the only minivan that has that. No issues so far, 2 months and 2.5k miles, taken it on one long road trip.

We got rid of our odyssey as well. Electric bugs, ate tires and brakes for breakfast and lunch, recall after recall after recall. Poor AC performance. I think overall gonna is still good but not what it used to be. And I think the odyssey in particular is just not designed with durability in mind anymore.

We are on our 2nd Carnival…first when they came out was nice then upgraded to the newer hybrid model. Mileage is excellent but I think a little less than Sienna. Still love the longer range ~550 miles/tank actual and as a bonus for the hybrid no stupid start/stop! Wife really likes it. Lacks in some storage space up front but makes up for it in the back and better tech etc. only issue we have had is a dead battery on the hybrid after sitting for a couple weeks. Carnival also fit better in our garage than any other the mirrors are narrower

neutics said:

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We are on our 2nd Carnival…first when they came out was nice then upgraded to the newer hybrid model. Mileage is excellent but I think a little less than Sienna. Still love the longer range ~550 miles/tank actual and as a bonus for the hybrid no stupid start/stop! Wife really likes it. Lacks in some storage space up front but makes up for it in the back and better tech etc. only issue we have had is a dead battery on the hybrid after sitting for a couple weeks. Carnival also fit better in our garage than any other the mirrors are narrower

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And yes the AC actually has a second blower for the back so significantly better than the Odyssey

Good info. Did not know about warranty transfer restrictions.

maroon barchetta said:

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The Honda Odyssey ***** so hard.

We have had Honda and Toyota minivans, currently driving a Sienna. Maybe the look would grow on her? Out 2016 Toyota Sienna has 190k miles with nothing more than regular maintenance.
It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but has been a solid and reliable vehicle.
Good luck!

I have a 2020 Odyssey. Don't think I have ever hated a vehicle more and not because it is a minivan. From electrical issues, to the back seat not folding down on 4 different occasions after being repaired, bushings and suspension going out early, rear hatch can't stay fully open, timing belt wearing out, random emissions systems problem lights, "leather" on bottom of steering wheel peeling off, drivers side mirror has limited adjustment so I have to change my seat position or move my head funny to fully see out of it.

Buyer beware

Ours was a 2020 as well. Got sweet covid deal but then traded it in Feb 2025 for a palisade calligraphy. Couldn't be happier

Dang. We got 242,000 miles out of our 2006. Yeah, it had a problem with the blend doors towards the end, the sliding door on the passenger side would close but sound the alarm that it wasn't closed, so you had to kill the power to it, and it ate a couple of cooling fans by the radiator near the end too.

But 16 years out of an Odyssey is more than we planned.

Sad to hear they aren't that reliable anymore.

2021 Odyssey with 67k trouble free (knock on wood) miles.

On the ac, I wish it had vents in the roof as the rear facing kid could use more airflow. Front facing kids surprisingly complain of being cold.

I got 96k on it and had it in twice for rear seat warranty work and another 2 times after the warranty expired. Every time it breaks they tell me it is another part of the mechanism that failed. Last time they wanted $700 to fix it. I *****ed enough about it being the 4th time for repair and got it comped.

About every 6-8 time I start it up either there is no volume on the movie (have to turn the can off and open the door and then start it again), the screen is black and the rear camera doesn't work, or the radio will rapidly skip through stations. Then sometimes I hit a bump and the TV and the front screen go black and I have to turn off the car again to fix it.