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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  Everything I wanted and more - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Veloslave - September 15 - 2:00 am

  The Ford has a couple more bells and whistles like the rear sensors and handling control but the Odyssey has better power, less noise and lets face it... what would you trust more on a cross country trip for reliability? The Navigation was a must for me since I am a Realtor. I own a 2002 Windstar and like it too but it, like its predecessors has had plenty of trips to the shop for little things... heck, it didnt even make it off the lot the first day without issues. I still like the Windstar but think the Honda is the best choice.

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  car owner - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By hamid - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Excellent what can I say?

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  no that good - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By joesph - September 15 - 2:00 am

  pull to the left transmission noise wind noise

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  Reliability Issues - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By CBYC - September 14 - 8:11 am

  When the vehicle was new it had reliably served its main purpose of hauling kids to sports events and carrying family gear while on vacation. A few years ago we started experiencing problems with the operation of the auto sliding doors (bearing required $ replacement), followed by clogged EGR (poor quality of gas contributed), starter, and now transmission. We bought Honda for its reliability but buyer beware of the first model year of an entirely new redesigned vehicle.

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  4 years..absolutely no problem - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By josamars - September 12 - 9:38 pm

  Drives like a car, very precise handling for a VAN, just recently replaced original tires with Yokohama AVID. Now is also very quiet. ZERO problems so far..

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  Overrated Odyssey - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Mike Jones - September 11 - 9:18 am

  Look the its a good van, but way too much for the price. I should gone with my gut instincts and bought the Toyota Sienna. I listened too much to Model Review experts and not my heart. The Sienna rode like a dream, much better in my opinion than the reviews. The Honda makes a louder noise when accelerating on the highway than the Sienna. Toyota also offered a lot more standard features than Honda did. I listened to my wife and I should have changed her mind. Honda is good, but the Sienna s Style, performance and overall quiet powerfully safe "star rating" is superb. I am probably going to trade in my Honda for the Sienna.

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  Second One - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By KrisB - September 10 - 9:06 am

  Overall, a great van. I had a 2005 Touring, which performed excellently in a roll over - not a scratch or bruise on me. That was reason enough to get a second. This time we opted for the EX-L w/ R&N. There are a few things I miss, like the memory seats (Im 61", my wife 52"), auto headlights, rear sensors and the rear power door, some of which should be standard. We compared the new Chrysler van (a relative has comparable one), and they are by far more feature intensive at the same price, but they just didnt have the same level of comfort and the gas mileage isnt as good. Would like to see some of the options at a lesser cost, like Bluetooth. $800 - a joke!

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  Total Turkey - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Total Turkey - September 10 - 6:57 am

  Bought what I thought was the best minivan on the market in 06. Huge disappointment. Gas mileage is horrible. 14.5 average around suburbs 20 on highway. Can hit the rated 25 mpg on highway but only if driving 65, lightly loaded, completely flat surface. Very under-engineered vehicle. Doesnt stop well and Michelin PAX tires wear out very quickly. Needed new front brakes and tires at 33k miles, and we are not hot rodders. I have 76k miles on my BMW and still have original set of brakes w/25k left. Only bright side is that its a good people hauler comfortable with lots of room for cargo. But I will never buy another large Honda. They only know how to make small cars.

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  Picked Odyssey over Sienna and Quest - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By dbuuck - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This is our first van--came from a small SUV. Wish we would have made to switch earlier. We had difficulty deciding between the Odyssey and the Sienna (Quest has been rushed into production). Really liked the added features and amenities the Sienna offers over the Odyssey--side curtain air bags, operable windows on sliding doors and split third row seat. However, our area has an excellent Honda service department and two lousy Toyata dealerships, plus the arrogance of the demand for the Sienna was too much. Went with the Odyssey because of interior space, performance, overall style and $1,800 savings and we couldnt be happier.

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  Not good - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul Leiberstien - September 5 - 6:12 am

  Ive had mine for about two months and I am very disappointed. Came out of a Caravan lease that had no issues for the entire time I had it. The Odyssey has squeaking brakes, doors rattle, and the DVD player skips. Try telling our 4 year old that the movie has to start all over again all the way to Florida. Not pretty. I wouldnt recommend the Honda