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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  Minivans have changed - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Larry - June 10 - 7:20 pm

  The first thing that you notice is the improved looks, best among minivans (in my opinion). Then you jump in the drivers seat and experience a great drive. Yes, its still a minivan, but a great minivan. Along with the smooth ride, the Odyssey has great function. Limiting standard features and some options on some models is frustrating but overall we are very happy. You can get some options, such as the auto-dim mirrow with compass through the dealership. We were fortunate enough to get a little off of MSRP and have a few accessories thrown in. I didnt like the beige interior much, but kind of wish we had chosen it over the gray. The gray interior is kind of monotone, boring.

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  almost a 10 - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By bob c - June 9 - 1:43 pm

  Second Odyssey weve owned. This is almost the perfect van. The seat to floor distance is perfect to shorter wife and fine for taller driver. Vehicle height while driving is good to see around area. Ride fit and finish very good. Absolutly no problems at 14000 miles.

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  Lots of fun, for a minivan - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By eguy13 - June 7 - 4:13 pm

  Bought the Ody after test-driving the Ody and the Sienna. Love the handling, drives like a large Accord. Fuel consumption is a major setback. Getting approx 14/gallon with 60/40 highway/local driving. Lack of quality control when leaving plant. Had to bring the vehicle back to dealer to correct manufacturing defects and imperfections.

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  Everything We Expected - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By kfisher - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Had a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan. What a difference. Lots more power, better suspension, handling, and ride. Read the reviews from everyone and dont understand complaints from those former Chrysler owners and the guy who was talked out of buying a MPV. We looked at the MPV. You must be kidding. That van(?)is not even comparable to the Honda. The Honda meets or exceeds all our expectations. Although, I dont understand why Honda cant keep up with demand. I think this is just a marketing scheme to keep the price up. But as long as Chrysler keeps marking their minivans up as high as they do, than the Odyssey is still a better deal. In a word: AWESOME!

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  My Odyssey. - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By smegs - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I love this van. I really wish that the vehicle could have a little better gas reading from the fuel guage. Showes empty even tho you have 5 gallons or more left in the tank. . And some other things I like to be changed is heather controls closer to the drivers seat.

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  Great Van for the money - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By sa125 - June 3 - 3:43 am

  We shopped Toyota and Honda. After driving both we noticed the power difference in the Honda. We really liked the styling of the Odyssey, especially the chrome on the front grille and around the windows. The Sienna was a bit more refined but the Odyssey was just plain fun to drive. This van has no trouble getting onto to major highways, the engine supplies plenty of power. You feel in touch with the road. Honda makes the option packages simple, we wanted leather and dvd, just had to find a dealer with the color we wanted at our price. It was difficult to find a Sienna XLE with Leather and DVD would be installed at dealer.

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  2001 Odyssey EX - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By noburgers - June 2 - 6:26 pm

  Excellent hwy mileage (25-29mpg so far), but poor city mileage (15-18mpg). carefree ownership exp. excellent resale. decent acceleration.

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  Cant get much better - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By jeannebh65 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  We have had to minivans now from Honda and these are an amazing vehicle. I like that I dont feel like Im driving a box, and yet I can see around me quite well. It is roomy inside for everyone. We live in the midwest, so I put a high priority on climate control systems--this one heats and cools quickly! Comfortable for any size adult to drive!

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  MINIVAN MAN - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By flj67u - June 2 - 2:00 am

  THIS VAN HAS GREAT ACCELERATION TURNS ON A DIME JUST A GREAT M-VAN LOVE THE POWER DOORS KID LOVE IT TOO

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  Safety - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By fritze - June 2 - 2:00 am

  We were just hit in the rear by a 18 wheeler. The damage was over $5000.00. I really beleive if we were in any other vehicle we would have been killed.