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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  excellent - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By justice - March 29 - 10:00 am

  putyour body for 12 hours driving and you will understand

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  spoken from an on- the -go mom - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By mitchteresab - March 29 - 10:00 am

  *manuevers as easy as an Accord *accessibilty for the kids is a breeze *tailgate at soccer practice in comfort *entertainment package is wonderful while traveling *great value for the price

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  SUV Replacement - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By John K - March 29 - 8:49 am

  I bought our Odyssey to replace a Nissan Pathfinder after my second son was born & we realized that the SUV was not going to cut it space-wise. We needed something that could pull our pop-up and lug all the things that a typical family hauls around for traveling together. So far the van has been excellent with no major problems and returns excellent gas mileage in comparison to our old vehicle. On one extended trip we averaged between 26 & 28 mpg. Short trips return around 18.5, which is about what our SUV got on the highway. The van drives well and at 240 hp, it has plenty of guts for merging, passing, and towing. Not as cool as my previous sports cars, but not bad and really handy.

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  Everything OK But the Dash Display - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By norbtuc - March 24 - 10:00 pm

  Handles very well for its size. Drove Missouri curves like it thought it was a sports sedan. But the dash display fades out on bright days. The KPH scale and the intermediate tic marks on the speedometer disappear. If you were in Canada, you would have to drive at night to see how fast you were going in KPH. Faulty engineering for the glove box which everyone complains about....doesnt close properly and it cant be fixed. Comparing it against the market, my wife and I still believe we made the right decision on getting the Honda Odyssey Touring minivan.

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  The Best - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By christina - March 24 - 11:56 am

  I purchased this van at 80,000 miles. It now has 246,000 miles and still run like a champ. It is quite, smooth and great on gas. The only thing I had to replace on this van was the wheel bearings at 200,000 miles and of course breaks and rotors, which my dad and I replaced. The sensor in the cat. converter went out, but didnt replace it and no I havent replaced the muffler cuz it doesnt need it. The ignition switch was recalled so I replaced that cuz it was free. That is it oh yeah had to replace the starter again did it with my husband. I love this van. Went from Ohio to Daytona beach for $300.00 in gas at 3.27 a gal.

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  Great Riding Van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Mitch - March 22 - 5:30 pm

  Im very happy with my van, due to health problems I havent been able to drive it as much as I want. The MPG are pretty good 17-18 city & 26 Hwy. Ive read some reviews that stated poor gas mileage. maybe they are driving at 90 on the Hwy, Im driving 70-75. The worst Hwy MPG Ive gotten was 24 MPG. Am I happy I bough it ? Yes !!

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  Black Touring 2007 - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Jamie Commire - March 22 - 6:13 am

  The Black touring van rides great. Previous car was Cadillac CTS-V. I love the size of the DVD and Nav screens. Easy to enter with the automatic doors and lift gate. Not getting more than 20 mpg with 10,000 miles on it.

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  Overrated - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By berndt - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 2001 EX Odyssey in Lompoc, CA. After 5 months of driving, the rear sliding doors began to act up. They would not close completely which caused the alarm to go off. We took it back to the dealer and did adjustments. This continued to happen several times and the dealer said I need to clean off the connections when this happens again. When you pay $28,000 for something you expect it to work properly. We are at the point now to have them remove the automatic sliding door feature and install manual doors.I contacted Honda Customer Service and they really did not have any suggestions to fix the matter.

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  Thrilled or Not - Still Best Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By pd24 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for room for my family of 5 and quality to last. Owned 2 Hondas prior. Hey folks, dont blame Honda for the build quality - except for allowing it to be built in the US! Had an ABSOLUTELY trouble-free Civic and still have a CR-V - BOTH built in Japan. DESPITE the US build and occasional American creeks, we still love it.

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  Good All-Around Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Totrod - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven every mini-van offered in the U.S. (something like 16 of them) and this was the best overall. High horsepower coupled with standard features that are packages everywhere else and that great 3rd row magic seat scored high with me. Im hoping that it will prove the Honda hype about reliability. One thing thats nice to know is that practically every car, truck, or van on the planet depreciates faster than this one.