Overview & Reviews

For most of its lifespan, the Honda Odyssey has been a favored pick among minivans. Although the vehicle had a rather humble debut, it quickly hit its stride once Honda came out with the second-generation model, which featured a spacious cabin and an innovative third-row seat that folds into the floor. Now in its fourth generation, the Odyssey is one of the top minivans currently available.

The Honda Odyssey has made a strong showing, usually earning top honors in every minivan comparison test we've held. There are other minivans that rival the Odyssey's family-friendly features, but the Honda combines those attributes with confident driving dynamics and a long-standing record of reliability, making it an all-around family favorite.

Current Honda Odyssey
The fittingly popular Honda Odyssey comes in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite. All Honda Odysseys are powered by a 248-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The entry-level LX's standard features include a power driver seat, a 60/40-split-folding third-row seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, Pandora interface and a USB/iPod interface. The EX's additional highlights include power-sliding side doors, keyless ignition and entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, a multifunction second-row seat and an upgraded audio system. The EX-L's enhancements include a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats. The Touring adds front and rear parking sensors, navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Touring Elite's added highlights include xenon headlights, an integrated vacuum cleaner and upgraded audio and video entertainment systems.

On the road, the Odyssey impresses thanks to its smooth V6 and relatively agile handling. Inside, Honda's minivan boasts tight build quality and spacious, comfortable seating areas. Compared to previous Odyssey generations, the current model is significantly quieter on the road, but the button-heavy cockpit remains. All things considered, the Odyssey remains a favorite of Edmunds editors.

Used Honda Odyssey Models
The fourth and latest generation of the Honda Odyssey debuted for 2011. Completely redesigned and compared to the previous generation, it has sleeker styling, a roomier interior, improved fuel economy and new features. For 2013, the LX standard features list grew with the addition of a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity and a USB/iPod interface. Note that these Odysseys lack the current version's updated exterior and interior styling, six-speed automatic on LX, EX and EX-L models (they previously had a five-speed automatic) and availability of a Pandora interface, HD radio and an in-vehicle vacuum cleaner.

The previous (third-generation) Honda Odyssey was produced from 2005-'10. Trim levels included the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Motivation was supplied by a 244-hp 3.5-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 found in the EX-L and Touring trim levels had a variable cylinder management system to improve fuel economy.

The LX featured full power accessories, cruise control, side curtain airbags, stability control and a CD player. The EX added alloy wheels, eight-passenger seating, power-sliding doors, a power driver seat, a six-disc CD changer, in-floor storage with a "lazy Susan" and second-row sunshades. The EX-L brought leather seating, heated seats, a power tailgate and a sunroof. The Touring added triple-zone climate control, power-adjustable pedals, foglights, parking sensors, a removable second-row center console and run-flat tires. A rear entertainment system and a navigation system with Bluetooth were optional on the EX-L and Touring.

In reviews, we found this Odyssey to be a top minivan thanks to its smooth V6, responsive steering and secure handling. Inside, Honda's minivan boasted tight build quality and spacious, comfortable seating areas. At the time, downsides included elevated road noise and, as the years went on, a somewhat dated interior.

There were only minor changes for the third-generation Odyssey, with 2008 bringing minor exterior styling updates and new convenience features, and 2009 seeing a standard power liftgate debut for the EX-L as well as integrated Bluetooth for the optional navigation system.

The second-generation Honda Odyssey was available from 1999-2004. It was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 initially rated at 210 hp (from 1999-2001) and later cranked up to 240 hp (2002-'04). The transmission was a four-speed automatic until '02, when a five-speed automatic debuted. This Odyssey boasted dual sliding rear doors in place of the first generation's swinging doors, and it was considerably larger overall, but it retained the original model's trick fold-flat third-row seat. In the all-important safety department, antilock brakes were standard from the get-go, though rear disc brakes only became standard across the lineup in 2002. Side curtain airbags arrived for '02 as well.

Two trim levels were available, each with seven-passenger seating: LX and EX. The LX came standard with air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, full power accessories and an AM/FM/CD stereo (earlier models had only a tape deck). The EX added traction control (not provided for the LX until '01) as well as luxuries like alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, automatic climate control and a multifunction steering wheel. EX options included a navigation system (not available in 1999), a rear-seat entertainment system (from '02 onward) and leather upholstery.

In reviews, our editors remarked on the second-generation Odyssey's best-in-class performance, which came courtesy of a powerful V6 and a capable all-independent suspension. We also lauded the Odyssey's large cabin, available power-sliding doors and that slick hide-away third-row seat. Throughout its six-year run, Honda's second-generation Odyssey was quite simply the one to get. It won the Editors' Most Wanted award every year from 1999-2003 for the minivan category.

The first-generation Honda Odyssey, which debuted in 1995, had a few features that, for better or worse, made it unique. Instead of sliding doors on the sides, the Odyssey had four conventional swing-open doors with roll-down windows. And although the competition offered V6 engines, the Honda didn't. An inline-4 borrowed from the Accord EX powered the Odyssey. With VTEC variable valve timing and lift, it made a respectable 140 hp. But good as it was, 140 wasn't enough power when the Odyssey was loaded up with kids or cargo. The van did, however, offer a highly functional fold-flat third-row seat. This feature has proven invaluable to -- and highly popular with -- minivan buyers over the past decade.

User Reviews:

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  Death Trap and Money Pit - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By rjs14 - June 23 - 2:39 am

  I got a total lemon. 2 gas tank leaks fire complete loss of power twice while driving in fast lane sliding door ripped itself off of body master cylinder, two transmissions, power steering pump leak, and just about every other part on this van. Paid through the nose for all of these repairs listed as "recalled". Time to get a lemon law attorney. Original owner, all maintenance kept up to date. Now I have spent enough in repairs to buy 3 of these pieces of junk!

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  Too many disppointments! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By samnoe - June 13 - 2:38 pm

  I always loved Hondas, but now really disappointed. Engine is not enough (now 2014 still using the same weak engine, the Accord V6 gets 30 additional HP!). I am very upset with the sliding doors, worst design ever! Keeps beeping & stalling, Chrysler makes it better and also the Sienna. Wipers leaves 7 inches un-wiped. Ride is smooth but bad & loud on bumps. (Chevy Traverse is 10x better). At 17,000 miles it started vibrating, I had to change brakes/rotors! Steering wheel feels over-sized. Steering feel not great. Climate controls not intuitive. Remote key fob sucks, and still no remote starter! Turning circle not as tight as Sienna. Ugly gauges. Service engine light not good. Ugly Exterior!

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  Unreliable - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By lefty007 - June 4 - 9:38 am

  Bought this new. Had a noise coming from the front strut at 10K miles. Took it to the dealership and the performed service bulletin 11-038, that fixed the problem for another 10K until the noise came back. Took it back to the dealership and they fix it again. Another 15K or so and the noise came back. Took it back to the dealership, now they found they have to change the struts. Car out of warranty, Honda made me paid for the repair, although it had been documented that this was a problem and they even had a service bulletin out. Do some research and see how many service bulletins there are. I guess 2011 wasnt a good year for Odysseys, and Honda wont stand by their products.

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  It has been great!! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By snowfanatic - June 1 - 2:57 pm

  Just hit 275,000 kms (170,000 miles) Total repairs to date $304. Original brakes went 185,000 kms, still on second set. Would like to buy another one but Honda Canada have cut the number of available colours from 11 to 4 with no choice on interior. Took it to a reputable independent garage for an opinion. They could not find a thing wrong with it. May try for 400,000 kms.

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  1st owner & 5 1/2 yrs later I am still happy! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By billybeefcake - May 27 - 1:29 pm

  My wife and I picked out a 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 5 1/2 years ago with 20 miles on it. We now have just over 73,000 on the vehicle, and we are even more happy now than when we purchased the van because nothing has gone wrong. There has been several recalls such as the brakes, the transmission reprogramming, and cabin noise, but Honda was pretty good (once they acknowledged the issues) at taking care of them. With a fully loaded van (family/cargo) on a flat road I can get 27/28 mpg easily. In town she avg. 18-20 depending on how much a/c we are using. As for us we have had a good experience.

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  1998 Odyssey - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By teapartynow - May 25 - 10:43 pm

  I bought it used with 100K miles on it in 2013. Well taken care of and serviced. I expect the transmission to last 250K miles. At that point in time parts may be scarce so Ill enjoy it while I can. Do the drain of transmission fluid, not the flush, with 30K intervals. The car is well built and the seats are very comfortable. I have a bad back and Im 6 foot 2 but I can still put in a 12 hour drive non stop and feel OK when I step out. It likes the speed interval 80 to 100 miles per hour on the interstate. Too bad American cars are not this good, or the later Odysseys. There is nothing like it.

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  Very nice vehicle - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By sgilbert - May 22 - 11:42 pm

  We enjoy the stable roadabiity, quietness, comfortable, supportive seats, roominess, smooth quiet engine. So far, (3700 miles), no squeaks or rattles. Several minor negatives: the ride is a bit "truck like" (not real "supple), and the dash controls are not" intuitive" - took us quite a while to learn how to program things, work the a/c, etc., as the knobs and buttons are not in expected places, nor do they perform the function I expected. We finally have it figured out, but even the huge owners manual lacked "how to" information that produced quick understanding. Gas mileage on a trip at 65 mph often about 30. Even around town usually over 20. V-6 has ample power. Overall, we love it.

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  Disappointed - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By twintrouble63 - May 22 - 10:07 am

  After driving my van for 6 months now, and several long trips with the grand kids, the 8 passenger seating and 26 mpg rating are the only good things I can say about this purchase. This is the first Honda I have ever owned, and if this is the top of the line product for them, it will probably be the last. The electronic technology is old and outdated. The Navigation system is worthless. The entertainment system is also not up to par. The COOL box has proven to be worthless for keeping things cold and has turned out to be just another storage box. The alarm and remote start are a joke. Overall this van has not lived up to my expectations and I’m very disappointed with this Honda.

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  3rd Engine >65,000 miles - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By smith2121 - May 16 - 8:20 pm

  Im on my third engine with less than 65,000 miles on the car. Luckily its been under warranty for all repairs. However, in addition to the two new engines weve spent thousands of dollars on little repairs that keep coming up. Weve owned the car for a little over two years and on average its been in the shop once every month for the last two years. I will NEVER buy a Honda again.

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  Probably the wisest choice - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By applesnkids - May 15 - 11:25 pm

  We only have two kids and still chose this minivan after a TON of research. Overall, Im very happy with the van and it was probably the best choice. That being said, I sometimes wish I would have gotten something way more exciting -- but thats not really where my life is at the moment. When I drive by myself, its zero fun. When the van is full, it feels right for our family. Considering the other options out there including a plethora of SUVs, this is a solid choice and the best one out there. Its easy sliding doors, plenty of room, well laid-out for the most part, mellow drive. If I had three kids, I dont think Id look at anything else. Its a perfect beach/surfing vehicle.