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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  2005 Touring - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By TouringinGA - August 18 - 6:20 pm

  Excellent overall. Superior to all we tested.

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  Speedometers, spare tires and leather seats - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Floyd Sense - August 17 - 10:02 am

  (1). Leather seats in an Odyssey are uncomfortably hard and hot. The leather doesnt breath like high quality seat leather should, but rather its like sitting on 1970s vinyl seats on a hot day. Solution: opt for the EX model which has cloth seats that are actually comfortable. We compared the Odyssey leather seats to competition, such as Chrysler Town & Country, and the Honda leather was the worst. (2). The Odyssey spare tire (at least it has one) is stored INSIDE THE VEHICLE, under the floor between the second row seats. So, dont have a flat when you have the vehicle loaded with cargo or if its full of kids on a rainy day. And, you wont believe where they expect you to store the flat tire you remove - see the manual and be ready to laugh. (3). If you normally wear polarized sunglasses while driving, make sure to take them along when you test drive the Odyssey. On a bright sunny day, the numbers on the speedometer and tachometer are simply not visible when wearing polarized sunglasses. For some reason, the designer decided the numbers should be displayed on a shiny background, making the situation even worse. With all that dashboard screen real estate, youd think theyd have placed a digital speed display on one of the large screens. On the positive side, the Odyssey is remarkably quiet on the road. While Hondas and their upscale Acuras are noted for their tire and engine noise, you wont hear much of that in the Odyssey. You can actually carry on a conversation with people in the middle row of seats while traveling down the road at 70 mpg. And finally, youd think that after all these years Honda would have figured out how to make it easy for an owner to get the middle row of seats out of the way for handling large cargo loads. You still have to manually remove them and store them somewhere in the garage or ? If youre a small person or older like me, youll find that to be a difficult proposition. By the way, the gas mileage is a big surprise when compared to the competition. I can easily get 28 mpg on the open highway and rarely see less than 22 around town.

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  Honda Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Eliot - August 15 - 3:16 am

  Have had this van for about 5 months and am very impressed. I used the vehicle in New Hampshire for 2 months of winter before heading south to South Carolina for some highway travel. Car performed like a precision watch. I also own a 02 Chystler Town and Country Van that I enjoy driving, but I feel that the Honda is better built and safer. Overall I am very pleased to date.

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  happyowner - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By happyowner - August 13 - 12:36 pm

  The 2005 Honda Odyssey replaced another Odyssey that we owned and I really enjoy driving this van. It has a more quiet ride and it is very comfortable. My gas mileage is better in this Odyssey and some of the controls have been moved to more convenient areas of the van. The spare tire has been moved to a more easily accessible place and there is more storage space in this van.

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  Family Van - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Tyler Harms - August 13 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure to own.

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  Loved our first, but this one was a mistake - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By David Sharkey - August 11 - 7:01 am

  There is less room up front on these newer models both passenger side and driver side. Removing the rear seats is still extremely frustrating, but the technology on the van is what is most frustrating. I generally give up any anything I want to do that involves the electronics including adjusting heating and cooling, music, radio, video etc. I can normally figure these things out quickly, not on this vehicle. Also, you get wireless earphones for the video play. They have never worked right. The plugs for earphones are on one side of the car in the back. So my boys need to share earbuds and one has to sit in the middle seat in order for them to reach. Our first Odessey was great, I really regret buying this car. It makes my blood boil every time I get into it.

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  Great Experience - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By First Minivan - August 9 - 1:00 am

  This is a very good vehicle. Our family has owned Hondas in the past, but we got away from them to experience something new. What a mistake. After briefly owning a 99 Audi I sprinted back to Honda quality. This vehicle has been a pleasure to own & drive over the past 18 months. No problems so far. Yes, its a minivan, so the "fun to drive" factor is lower than most vehicles. But it handles very well for a larger vehicle. Weve taken long trips & found the RES to be a must when traveling w/ 3 small children. Two neighbors have since purchased the 05 or 06 Odyssey and are also very satisfied. This is the best purchase (car or otherwise) Ive ever made.

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  Very disappointed!!!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By T Ruddle - August 4 - 11:10 am

  Have had back to dealer multiple times for various problems. The rear power hatch stopped working - needed new motor. The transmission clunks into gear - had lever/linkage adjusted but still doing it. Radio reception is terrible and overall its a noisy ride at highway speeds. Anyone getting 20 mpg must be coasting downhill with engine off....best so far in 5000 miles is about 17mpg!!! Would I buy again - never!

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  Good Ride - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By d1310011 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Not the best gas mileage - BUT I find everything else about the Odyssey EXCELLENT. The ride is comfortable the view from the drivers seat is good and controls are convenient. I have not found any irritating squeaks or rattles. The dealership did an excellent job of follow up on questions and orientation of my new Odyssey.

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  I want my MPG - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By tel5654 - August 1 - 6:01 pm

  I purchased my Odyssey after much research and I am very happy with my decision. I love the pep and the handling. My kids and I thoroughly enjoy driving this van.