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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  2002 Honda Odyssey - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By familydc - June 1 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this car for my wife to drive, and as it turns out I want to drive it all the time. The performance on this vehicle blows the competition away with its 240 horsepower, 5 speed transmission, and 4 wheel independent suspension. It is as fun to drive as any minivan gets. Put that together with the excellent crash test ratings and functional interior and you have a great minivan.

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  GREAT RIG - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Brad - May 31 - 3:33 pm

  I do have a little bit of a hard time saying that I drive a mini van however the pleasure in driving the ODDIE outways this issue! My wife and I drive all over the country for work in our Honda and really believe it must be the best vehicle for long trips and hauling luggage. We always look forward to our next long drive in Oddie.

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  2006 Honda Odyssey - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Stephanie - May 29 - 12:56 am

  This is the third Honda Odyssey weve had and by far the best!! It drives like a luxury car. My kids love the bigger DVD w/ surround sound and built in sun visors in the second row.

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  Ask your car - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By techno fan - May 28 - 7:30 pm

  I have a great admiration for Hondas of all kinds. I believe them to be very reliable, and know from personal experiance that Honda will stand behind their products, if they do find a reason to recall them. I also am a Navigation system fan, especially ones that not only show, but also tell you via voice when and where to turn, so that one can keep his eyes mostly on the road ahead! This one blows my mind, it not only tells you when to turn, but will accept voice commands, and can read information to you, or even control the climate system or radio, cd changer, or the rear entainment systems DVD or radio/CD system. In the near future expect much more voice control of ones car..WOW!

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  The Odyssey is Great - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By lantana - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This Odyssey is the best built vehicle weve ever had. Its better put together than our Camry or Corolla (and they were both excellent), and lightyears ahead of any American vehicle weve owned.

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  Grand Odyssey Touring! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By T & S Hill - May 23 - 11:53 pm

  Purchasing the Odyssey was the best thing since sliced bread! Its sporty, stylish, lots of space, and well worth the price. The Odyssey Touring makes sitting in traffic fun!

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  Great Little Van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By B17Joker - May 23 - 9:00 pm

  Great look, ride, performance. Former Dodge minivan owner, Interior very nice, comfortable seats, good sound system. Road feel is solid, stable. Bought this one in Colorado and immediately drove it to Louisiana. I look forward to a pleasant ownership experience.

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  What happened??? - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Bradly B - May 23 - 8:23 am

  I bought Honda based on reputation and its turning into a nightmare!!! Where to begin? Poor gas mileage, Brake shimmy and now new pads!!! Power doors closing, then opening, then closing again! Next time (in 2 years when lease is up), a Sienna!!!

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  They got it...............its the best - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ED - May 21 - 8:53 am

  After several reviews and months looking for the best transportation for my people (3 adults and 3 kids) we decided wait until the new odyssey. I already have my touring for 3 months and we are really proud about our decision.All in this car is very intuitive,everithing is in the right place.My congratulations to all that people reestablish its dominance in the minivan marketplacewith this amizing car.

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  like it - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Aaron Rappaport - May 19 - 1:48 pm

  Ive only owned the Odyssey for a couple of weeks, but ive enjoyed it immensely. Im one of those guys who had to be persuaded to buy a minivan after the birth of our second child, but Im glad we bought it. The car handles well, the interior space is fantastic, and the automatic doors are brilliant. I still think the vans exterior styling is a bit odd, but even that is growing on me.