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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  Happy...overall BUT... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By C - December 16 - 1:33 pm

  I love My Odyssey...and it is the 2nd one we have owned...the body style looks great...and the new "split 3rd row" is very handy...The TV is nice...It took me a while to figure out all of the electronic buttons.... We are happy overall... but it has several annoying rattles.... a strange zipping sensation in the pedal when you put the van in drive and accelerate for the first time on EVERY a trip. I have to use one of the many cup holders to hold change... being that there is no ash tray or change compartment... head set for TV does not work all the time in the 3rd row... I wish the window lock did not lock the drivers window controls..

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  Expected More - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Never Again - December 10 - 5:59 pm

  Ive been driving this van for several months now and it has its quarks that my Chrysler Town & Country didnt have. Noisy interior, hard suspension, A/C stops working when engine is at idle during hot days (stuck in traffic), transmission slow to engage into gear from park (slow into reverse or drive), CD player doesnt have a rewind (so you need to listen to an entire track again if you miss something, bad for instructional cds), steering pulls hard to the same direction you are turning under acceleration, throttle is at times slow to respond (has a delay between pushing the gas and the van moving), easy to confuse automatic side doors if someone pulls the handle after I push the button.

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  Great Mini Van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Careylori - December 9 - 5:00 pm

  Only had the Odyssey a couple of weeks but Im very impressed. The Nav. is Awesome! Havent had a chance to check the gas mileage out yet. One this extra that the nav. does that the book wont tell you is you can pull up Religious Organizations. Under Places go to Advanced and put in Religous Organization. We have a small Church and it was even listed. Thats good for Church goers.

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  Honda the name you can trust - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By md180 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Odyssey EX (1999) van we have owned. We put over 160,000 miles on our last Odyssey with no troubles. Did have a lot of recalls, this was ok with us. We went for the 03 van only because of some upgrades and plan to keep the van for many years.

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  The Review - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Anup - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I liked the space. It is very roomy. But the heated seats in the front are terrible. It takes so long to warm up and when it does its still hardly anything. I love the DVD player

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  Good features - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By DFW driver - December 6 - 11:56 pm

  Compare features and prices, Ody beats Sienna for sure. Price is great, too. We got ours at about $100 over invoice in March 05. Build quality could have been better- check odyclub.com for opinions. Many owners have found problems typical of 1st year build- paint defects and trim alignment problems. Make sure you closely inspect the outside paint quality and inside trim, especially the glove box alignment. MPG is so so at 20mpg average, but I dont expect much there since its a heavy vehicle.

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  Underwhelmed, poor MPG - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By src - December 4 - 4:10 pm

  We bought Odyssey after driving a 2001 Caravan to 138K miles. The Caravan rode better than the Odyssey and got better mileage. Sorry, but its true. Weve taken a couple of long road trips (3,000+ miles) and the Ody does well, but it does seem louder than it should be and the mileage is very poor. The "3 cylinder" fuel saving pitch is a joke. Why cant it beat my 2001 Caravan in MPG? Im very disappointed in the mileage. My wife an I are Realtors in our 40s and she wanted navigation because the map books are becoming harder to read when getting around. We do like the navigation but it seems to be 2 or 3 years behind in the streets included. Most newer neighborhoods are not in the GPS.

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  Had to let her go - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By knee-dragger777 - December 4 - 2:44 pm

  I thought I would share my experience with this vehicle. I am now leary of Hondas reliability reputation. I bought the car new in 9/01. I put 112k trouble free miles on the motor, but I have replaced the transmission 3 times. Once at 40k, 2nd at 80k, and again at 109k. This is not indicative of Honda reliablity. Each time it was covered under warranty. I have never towed anything(didnt even have a hitch on it) However, I have a feeling the next one wont be and I cant justify paying $2,500 to 3 for vehicle only worth about 6. I had to sell it. Great family car for our "party of 5". My wife was ready to give it away. If you see one of these on the side of the road. Youll know why.

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  honda mini van review - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By kathy - December 3 - 3:10 pm

  I love the honda mini van because of its comfort. My moms car is much more bulky and hard to view things [she has an old toyota sienna] Lastly, I got my odyssey a little while ago and have had no problems at ALL Sincerely, Kathy

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  My most favorite van. - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By FX35AWD - December 3 - 3:50 am

  This van is fairly quiet and smooth. There is plenty of passenger room. It has the best looking shape and form in the minivan segment. The handling is much more stable than any SUV I have tested, owned, and/or currently own. This is the perfect vehicle for a family with young children. I highly recommend it. I have sold my Infiniti FX35 to buy this car and I have been happy since.