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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  Snookered - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Randal Moss - December 27 - 5:33 pm

  I used to own Honda motorcycles back in the 1970s. They were wonderful. So I thought this van would be the same. I was wrong. This thing is a gas pig (Im getting 19, with a light foot). It has also been in the shop twice. It is ponderous. Get this: For an extended stay in the shop, I was forced to rent a Chevy Tahoe. It got the same or better mileage, it drives better and, heck, it can at least tow my Honda when it breaks down in the future. I think Ill buy an SUV next time. Of course, then Ill have to endure the sneers of my environmental friends, who seem to forget that this whale of a minivan (4000 lbs) is no fuel-sipper either. Bye-bye, Honda!

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  Good Mini for the Money - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By gsdgf - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Solid car, great for long trips.

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  nice van - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Luke - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Ijust bought my van. I can from A Ford Windstar. It rides much smoother than the windstar. I love the bucket seats for my two kids.

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  First 3,000 miles - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Paco - December 26 - 9:56 am

  We purchased the van at the end of December and have put a little over 3000 miles on it. I had a 2005 Toyota Sienna which I traded in that was probably the most annoying car Ive ever owned with its transmission problems and clunks, clanks, squeaks, groans, etc. So far the van has done very well with the following exceptions: 1. It has a chirping, scraping, hissing noise that isnt real loud but it is annoying especially at 30 mph and 1500 RPM-louder when you first start out. 2. Gas mileage is poor-17 combined city and highway and 19 on the highway. 3. It misses when idling and jumps a bit when the AC compressor goes on & off.

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  Odyssey = 8 passenger Accord - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul Not - December 24 - 6:22 am

  Exterior looks are clean and just OK.. Interior is very nice and quite, we have the DVD system which is very nice for long trips rear passengers viewing only.. Onboard vacuum works great but I believe is a gimmick.. Rear 110 volt plug is great . The ride quality is awesome and never cramped for space. ONLY ISSUE : Honda really needs to work on second row rear seats ! If Chrysler can figure out fold flat self storing seats Honda should also..

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  2008 EX-L w. DVD - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Johnohio - December 20 - 8:43 am

  Purchased it at a reasonable price ($2400 below invoice found in Yahoo and Edmunds, primarily because of the $2300 incentive Honda provided to dealers). Traded in my 2001 Civic. I have no doubt that this is a fabulous vehicle. Drives like Camry, even my wife who scared of driving any vehicle bigger than her Camry can handle it easily. Most amazing is the gas mileage. Before 1000 miles, it is 19.75 miles/gallon (50% highway + 50% local); After 1000 miles, it is improved to 21.75 and then 22.3.

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  Lovin my new Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By jenfoor - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased an Odyssey a little over a week ago. I was home visiting my parents in Wisconsin and traded in the Voyager for the Odyssey and drove it home to Florida (1100 miles) I loved everything about driving long distance with the Honda. The kids (4 and 2) were separated from each other in the second row buckets, that was great. The DVD player was a lifesaver and I love the lower lumbar adjustment on the driver seat for my lower back. And I got better gas mileage than with the 2.4 ltr. Plymouth.

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  Beware - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Gman - December 19 - 1:46 am

  Overall design is good. Many features not on other mini vans such as rear windows, storage, overall ride is good. First vehicle of several I have owned that doesnt come close to the stated fuel economy. Also, due to location of A/C condenser coil being low, unprotected, and up against front bumper makes it the most vulnerable design in industry to "common gravel" damage (not rocks or road debris). Mine was damaged by common gravel (1/8") after just 7,000 miles.

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  not very impressed at all... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By choked - December 17 - 5:16 pm

  Bought this vehicle hoping that the build quality was better than your average van. Boy was I was wrong! Worst paint job (silver) Ive ever seen, full of vertical dark spots. You actually can see how they sprayed the paint on vertically and uneven. Many plastic parts on the van did not fit together right, glove boxes are out of alignment, body rubber trim pieces do not seal, rattle noise from front passenger side, chrome grill was loose. I took the van back to the dealer and the answer I got was dont worry about if right now, you have 3 years warranty on it. What a joke. I took it home and fixed most of the misaligned plastic pieces myself. Should have bought a Toyota Sienna

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  Love my honda - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By don - December 15 - 11:43 am

  I have bought my last 6 vehicles new. I am in the auto repair industry and from the experience I have with my 2002 Accord that has 145,000 miles on it I had to replace my Caravan with a Honda. The Odyssey in a class all its own. I drove the Sienna and the overall handling of the Honda is better. The interior is more user friendly and the exterior styling is great. I have 3 friends with this van and they all agree.