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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  Mighty Glad We Bought It - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By William Carlson - May 10 - 10:24 pm

  We had been waiting for the new re-design and when the 2018s came available we were thrilled with the look. Then we actually had the opportunity to drive some, look them over carefully and make our decision. We purchased a 2018 Odyssey Elite and so far weve been absolutely delighted with it. Excellent acceleration, extremely comfortable ride, and enough bells and whistles to make any tech geek happy. But, all of them functional and serving a purpose.

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  Honda Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By K in Canada - May 9 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Odyssey new in June and in regular summer driving it has reasonable acceleration and handling. Great cargo capacity. We havenÂ’t had any problems with the vehicle and can find no fault with the design except for the dashboard heater control placement and the poor seats.

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  I bought ANOTHER Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By DFrench757 - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I originally bought a new 2000 Odyssey after being extremely frustrated with the bad reliability of domestic minivans. Not only is the Honda van bigger more reliable, and more powerful than the others, but it is extremely competitively priced for the features it has.I traded in my 2000 Odyssey for a 2003, and in 75000 miles, I never had to do anything but change the oil and put on a new set of tires. If all of the Hondas are this way, I will never buy anything else.

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  YOU HAVE TO GET ONE - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Kit-Kat - May 8 - 10:03 am

  the amazing price, supurb ride, and the convenience, the Odyssey. Its the best mini van. the 3rd row seat is more than convenient. There is a ton of space when it is down, and I dont know how I fit anything in my other trunk with the room there is when the seat is up. safety right after we got it someone rear ended us at 50 m/p/h and the breaks held great, and the back glass fell strait down w/o hurting anyone, and I was amazed at how well the car held up after it was repaired.

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  Review - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By tefarmer - May 3 - 2:26 pm

  On the whole this has been a good vehicle. I pull a small cargo trailer with it and am having transmission problems even though it has had all of the Honda services required and I have Honda House change the transmission fluid each fall.

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  From a Toyota Previa to Odyssey 2005 - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By naseeram - May 2 - 1:33 pm

  Excellent feature set - Honda introduced a minivan feature set that others copied, then Honda took it to the next notch. Good Power, excellent 0 to 60 for a mini van, interior room is good, lots of storage.

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  The Odyssey after 2 years - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By dandel - May 1 - 10:40 pm

  This is an update on our new Odyssey after living with it for 2 years. Reliability has been excellent. Ride quality and fit & finish have held up. We took a long car trip in August. The kids had plenty of room, the DVD was great. The Nav system is awesome. We made multiple stops throughout the LA basin and it was incredibly easy with the nav computer. We still love the van. I cant imagine stuffing 3 kids across a single back seat and the van is so much easier to live with than a SUV. The Denali only comes out for towing and snow. But... the pax tires are a problem.

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  1st Time Mini-Van Owner - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By April - May 1 - 12:42 pm

  I absolutely love the ease of use on the Odyssey. The electronic doors opening for my kids, the lazy susan for storage. The DVD rear entertainment system is a must for kids. There is lots of room for storage and the drive is very smooth.

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  Hate this Van - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Hate this van - May 1 - 12:39 pm

  I thought this van would be nice to drive. The check engine light comes on unless I use premium gas, and a diagnostics test said the o2 sensor and the cat needed replaced. I am glad I havent had the trans problem that everyone else seems to have, maybe that was worked out before I got it. It doesnt have a smooth ride at all. The sliding doors stick and sometimes wont even stay shut, even the hatch is hard to get open and closed.

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  Great Mini-Van! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Randy Tibbs - April 29 - 7:46 pm

  We previously had another minivan, 2001. We gave it to our daughter and son-in-law for their growing family, but found we really liked having a van. After much research we decided to buy the Honda Odyssey, EXL. We took it on a trip with two other adults, about 500 miles. We got 28 MPG and the room and ride were excellent. This vehicle has plenty of power and I especially like the fuel efficiency, even with a 255 HP motor. Like other Hondas we have owned, the workmanship is excellent. Honda is very thoughtful in how they build and design a vehicle. Thanks Honda, another "Home-Run"