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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  Great but not perfect - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By RichL - August 20 - 2:00 am

  This van puts both our 95 & 98 Grand Caravans to shame. The seat heaters should turn off with key. Interior noise is only major complaint. This car should be much quieter. Have 3 kids, so a split folding rear seat would be appreciated (Like upcoming 04 Sienna). Plenty of power and cornering ability. At this price, full roof rack, fog lamps, auto headlamps, power antenna, hood struts, should be standard. Would buy another one.

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  Excellent buy - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By herran - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Top Minivan for reliability and performance

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  Poor cargo option - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Dan - August 20 - 12:53 am

  Middle seats are supposed to come out for cargo hauling. I find it impossible to get them in or out without dealer assistance even with the user manual. Why make the seat design too difficult for users to operate? On that subject, the entertainment center is way too complex for the driver to navigate while driving. Surprised that Honda would do this. These items put a big damper on an otherwise nice vehicle.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Gail - August 17 - 10:16 pm

  We just leased a 2008 Odyssey last week of May. Barely three months old, on our way for a vacation the car broke down. It was brought into a Honda dealer and they found that there was a leak on the transmission and the clutch was burned. Good thing we were able to stop at the nearest area. So scared of what happened as we were with our five year old son. Now, even if we take it back and they changed the whole transmission, i will never feel safe again especially for our son.

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  great minivan so far - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ryan young - August 16 - 12:06 pm

  bought this one for $400 over invoice. this thing has more bells and whistles than one can ever realistically use. more things to appeal to people, but more things to break, i guess. this is a really beautiful minivan is there ever was one. adjustable pedals are a great help. power is adequate for most situations. handling is good for a minivan. it really does drive like a car. visibility is great. ride is relatively smooth and quiet. all seats are extremely comfortable to sit in. build quality in interior could probably be a little better (some noises on rough roads). dvd is a great occupier of the kids. lots of storage space and cupholders.

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  Excellent BUT. . . - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By melissa - August 13 - 1:18 am

  I just bought the 2008 Odyssey EX-L today. Great car, consistently reliable (ive owned several other Hondas over the years) However, could use automatic lights and automatic locks. The outdoor temperature shouldnt be on the dash with mileage it should be on rear view mirror like Chevy. Too new to tell how the gas mileage is. . . hopefully at least 21-22mpg. Well See.

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  good car - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Victor - August 12 - 8:42 pm

  This car is a nice car we have taken it on lots of road trips and it has not broken down. The car is comfortable, roomy, and quite. I have not had to replace the transmission the only things we had to replace was the fuel line and the battery so far. The cons are that the engine does not provide enough power, leather seating is not available, and all-wheel drive is not an option but everything else is good for the time being we plan to keep it for another year because it is still reliable.

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  We vowed wed never get a minivan....... - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By NHMom - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Honda Odyssey, and we like this one better than the first! The built in DVD is great, especially with the wireless headphones, worth the extra $$ The six cylinder VTEC has great power and the transmission is much smoother than our first one. We vowed never to get a minivan, but this blows doors off our Jeep Grand Cherokee that we tried to stuff 2 kids and dog into.

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  Not what I expect from Honda - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Cincinnati - August 10 - 4:43 am

  This is our first Honda. Fortunately we leased the vehicle and it will be going back to the dealer. Nice exterior, more than enough power, better features over the same priced Toyota. Main complaint the window sticker says MPG (18/25) and we get 14/22 under normal driving conditions, 12 MPG in summer when air conditioner is running. We lease vehicles and then buy since we do not trust manufacturers. Honda should be ashamed that they mislead consumers with MPG ratings. This only confirms our suspicions are true.

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  Best I ever owned - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By ayda - August 9 - 11:35 am

  The best minivan I researched for, and if the time goes back I wouldve still picked it.