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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  Best car we have ever had, love it - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By gardie - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2001 Odyssey XL, bought in February of that year. Absolutely no problems. Friends bought a Chrysler minivan at same time and within two months had a list of minor things wrong to take to the dealer. I have not had one thing go wrong with the car. Nor found anything minor thing to be fixed.

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  Pure Refinement from previous model - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Bavarian5150 - March 5 - 12:56 am

  Purchased a 2003 Odyssey after my daughter was born. The car was very well built but had poor mileage. After 4 years and kids destorying the interior. I decided to trade it in for a new one. I tell everyone that the vehicle has defintely been refined over the 4 years. Better mileage and improvements thru out the interior and exterior.

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  Dont Even Think About It - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By guinness1969 - March 3 - 4:53 pm

  Never should have traded in our 2004 Odyssey. This car maybe gets 13 miles per gallon no matter how we drive. The automatic doors need to be repaired. There is a radio antenna in the window so the reception is poor at best. A tremendous amount of interior noise. Problem with transmission. Van always bucking when you decelerate. Unable to duplicate they say. All in all a piece of crap. Please do not buy this Van. Honda should be ashamed of themselves.

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  Quality Honda pseudo-van - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By Miller5 - March 2 - 9:50 pm

  After 3 years of ownership this van has 145,000 and still runs great. First, the negatives, most of which we were aware of before we bought it: limited cargo room and wimpy 4-cyl engine. But those negatives make way for the positives: small maneuverable van that gets 22c/26h mpg...very nice stying that we get comments on all the time. Also, this van is very well made and has needed minimal maintenance. In addition to the usual happy comments Ill add that the EX model has a wonderful stereo system. Get a $80 roof rack from JC Whitney and itll take care of your cargo problems. Other issues : oil leak door locks have a mind of their own ABS light issues...but overall its a solid van.

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  Great Car!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By CC - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I never thought Id be excited and happy about a mini van but Im both!! I love the magic seat; it makes it great when your out and you need the space! Honda is not known for having many bells and whistles but it does have the reputation for reliablity and thats what is important in a mini van!

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  Great Car!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By cc - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I never thought Id be excited and happy about a mini van but Im both!! I love the magic seat; it makes it great when your out and you need the space! Honda is not known for having many bells and whistles but it does have the reputation for reliablity and thats what is important in a mini van!

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  This Van is Awesome - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By D.W. - February 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love the feel of the Odyssey. It has so much room but it feels like your driving an accord. We looked at the Toyota Sienna, and it did have some good points, but for the price and the options you get, the Odyssey won hands down. My 5 year old loves it too!

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  Almost ideal minivan falls short on driver comfort - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By William Picard - February 25 - 10:56 am

  After about a month of daily use, I have only two complaints about the 2016 Odyssey EX. First, there is very little legroom for the drivers left leg. Because of the front cabin shape and wheel well placement, its impossible to stretch out the left leg while driving. Im comparing this to my previous car, a Honda Accord; I havent driven any other minivans, so I dont know whether the Toyota Sienna, for instance, is more comfortable for the driver. This may sound minor, but its making me dread my upcoming cross-country move, during which my leg will be bent at an unpleasant angle for 9+ hours each day. The second complaint is about the entertainment/information panels. My last car was a 1998, so I cant compare this to its modern peers, but the all-digital interface makes me pine for the days of physical knobs controlling simple things like balance and tone. I cant navigate through multiple menu screens while driving, just to control the bass or the balance. And overall, I find the computer controls to be un-intuitive.

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  Nothing but problems - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Jack Swasson - February 21 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had this car one year and already its been nothing but problems!

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  Great minivan - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Hari Krishna - February 21 - 4:27 am

  smooth comfortable ride, spacious, little bit lag on power