2026 Honda Odyssey EX-L: Staten Island Buyers Guide

What "standard leather" actually changed

Honda's old Odyssey lineup kept leather for the upper half of the trim ladder, the way most manufacturers do. For 2026, that line moved all the way down to the EX-L, so the base Odyssey now seats eight on leather-trimmed upholstery instead of cloth. It's the single biggest year-over-year change in this generation, and it means a buyer who wants the Odyssey's core minivan advantages, the sliding doors, the flat floor, the reconfigurable second row, no longer has to spend into Sport-L or Touring to get a cabin that feels finished.

The Magic Slide second-row seats are the feature worth demonstrating on a test drive rather than reading about. Each outboard second-row seat slides laterally toward the center as well as fore-and-aft, so a family running a middle child seat can still open a walking aisle to the third row without removing anything. Combined with power sliding doors on both sides and a programmable-height power tailgate, the EX-L handles a stroller-plus-cooler-plus-duffel-bag loadout without anyone doing math about which door opens which way.

The V6, and the AWD question buyers keep asking

All four 2026 Odyssey trims share the identical 3.5-liter V6, 280 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque, 10-speed automatic with idle-stop, and front-wheel drive, so the EX-L isn't a detuned version of anything above it. Fuel economy is 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined on regular gas, unchanged whether the buyer picks EX-L or Elite. What the EX-L does not offer, and neither does any 2026 Odyssey trim, is all-wheel drive; Honda has never built an AWD version of this generation. FWD on decent tires handles an average Staten Island winter without much drama, but buyers set on AWD for regular trips upstate or across a snowy bridge deck should look at the Pilot instead, in the same showroom.

Where the EX-L fits a borough budget

Just under $43,000 for a new Odyssey leaves room in the budget for what New York adds afterward: the 8.875% sales tax, registration, insurance priced the way New York insurance is priced. That's the EX-L's real argument, it isn't a stripped starter trim, it's the same minivan geometry, the same power sliding doors, and now the same leather-trimmed cabin that used to cost thousands more. Buyers working from a monthly-payment target should start here, then check the current new-car specials before assuming Sport-L is out of reach; the gap moves depending on the month's programs.

Odyssey buyers at this store keep the reviews consistent. One buyer working with Silver Sales Consultant Darien Perez described the process as straightforward: he "was very efficient and got me what I wanted with a good deal." Another wrote of a no-pressure visit where the salesperson "asked good questions and was well trained."

Frequently asked questions

Is the EX-L or Sport-L Odyssey better?

Sport-L is better styled and rides on bigger wheels; the EX-L is the better price at $1,100 less. The walk to Sport-L buys 19-inch alloy wheels, red-stitched leather and exclusive exterior trim, and a third-row USB port, cosmetic and convenience upgrades layered onto an identical mechanical package. If those specific items matter, read the Sport-L guide. If they don't, the EX-L is the honest buy.

What does the 2026 Odyssey EX-L cost out the door in New York?

Start with $42,795 MSRP, add $1,495 destination, then New York City's 8.875% combined sales tax, title, and registration. The pricing & leasing guide walks the full math, and the dealer's specials page shows what this month's programs take off.

Does the EX-L have leather seats?

Yes, new for 2026. Every Odyssey trim, EX-L included, now ships with leather-trimmed seating standard, a change from prior model years where cloth was standard on the base trim.

Is the EX-L safe enough for a family?

The crash structure, airbags, and full Honda Sensing driver-assist suite, collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise, and lane keeping, are identical across all four trims. Nothing structural is held back on the EX-L.

Can I get the EX-L with all-wheel drive?

No. No 2026 Odyssey trim offers AWD, EX-L included. If AWD is a requirement, Honda's CR-V and Pilot both offer it in the same showroom.

Is the EX-L in stock on Staten Island?

Check live Odyssey inventory at Honda of Staten Island, or call the sales team at 718-701-8269.

The bottom line

The 2026 standard-leather change quietly made the EX-L the strongest base Odyssey Honda has built in years: the cabin material, the Magic Slide seats, and the full safety suite are all aboard at the lowest price in the lineup. Unless a specific Sport-L or Touring feature is calling your name, the smart move is a test drive of the sliding doors and a hard look at what the higher trims actually buy, two blocks from where the car will get serviced for the next decade.