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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  New Odessy Owner - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By SeanAlex - December 14 - 2:00 am

  We just bought our Honda van and we love it, very smooth, extremely powerful engine. Runs well and handles very well also. Kids love the entertainment system and its easy for them to use.

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  Its green, so its a lime, not a lemon. - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By ffeineandsugar - December 12 - 10:00 am

  While this vehicle has great features, especially with its interior and its engine, the overall experience has been akin to owning a Yugo Minivan. My Honda, in 35k miles, has gone through 3 snapped door handles. The brakes failed in the middle of the Lincoln Tunnel (with the entire family on board). The horn shorted out, locking the wheel (at 4k miles!) The original tires lasted less than 25k miles. The body dents under pressure from small children and hard stares. Honda of North America has been very difficult to deal with. Look elsewhere.

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  Its OK - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Jerry - December 9 - 6:50 pm

  This Honda has been OK. To many small warranty items. Elasped time computer is not programmed logically. Radio is not the quality I was expecting.

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  My 4 Year old picked it out! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Heather - December 8 - 3:56 pm

  My 4 yr old son picked out this van-- he liked the larger screen for the DVD- the comfy headphones-- I enjoyed the quieter road noise, the 8th seat (my son didnt like sitting all the way in the back)- easier to use fold down seats-- I love everything about this van!

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  Honda Patron Forever !!!! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By balto-man - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Very, very nice vehicle! Honda really does make better vehicles than its big 3 American contenders! I became interrested in Honda vehicles after my friend let me drive his Accord a few times. I was so impressed that I was determined that my next vehicle would be a Honda. And, it just happened that the Odyssey fit my needs very well.

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  wow! - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By hot mama - December 4 - 8:55 pm

  This has been a fabulous car for a small family. It is so easy to drive and so easy to get the family comfortable in. The rear seat is so easy to lift up and folds flat into the floor so I feel like Im driving an SUV instead of a van!

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  My very last Honda or Odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By John Pankratz - December 4 - 12:01 am

  I was one of the first in America to take delivery on my 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite. The dealership had not even been trained on the whole new technology system so i still have no idea to work most of the functions on the computer. I told the general manager of the dealership to have someone at Honda contact me, so I could set up a private education session for my wife and I. That has not happened and it has been over a month and a half. 2 weeks ago my 12 year old son grabbed the front grab handle and it came off in his hand as he fell to the ground. Lots of rattles and noises that our 2 previous Honda Odysseys never had. Now the "biggie" A week ago the rear passenger door window stopped working. Brought it to my local dealership who looked at it and said it was probably the motor. We made an appointment for Monday July 17, 2018 at my local dealership to have the window fixed. Today i was told by my dealership to come pick up my van and that the window was not fixed!!??? They told me that Honda USA is well aware of a problem with the rear windows on these new 2018 Odysseys and that parts are on backorder and Honda has "no idea" when the parts will be available!! So I wasted two days of my wife and my time to get my broken van back that is still broken. This new Odyssey has less than 2,000 miles on it...and if we could bring it back for a full refund we would run not walk. This van is a piece of $%&(

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  Good Van Good Gas Mileage - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Jay R - December 2 - 6:33 am

  Getting on average 19-21 MPG with mixed driving (including hills). Most of the time the ECO light is on and I dont jump on the gas (not that you need to). Power steering pump and left front ball joint had to be replaced w/in 1st year, but dealership stepped up. Overall we are happy. My wife liked it b/c it drives and (interior) feels like her 2003 Accord.

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  Handles Great in Bad Weather - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Mrs.C - December 1 - 10:21 pm

  We purchased our Odyssey new from our local Honda dealership. We have been satisfied with our van except for the noisey brakes. We took it to the Honda dealership several times while under warranty, but they never corrected this problem. We chose to take it elsewhere and have been more successful but still not perfect. It has been a great vehicle for our young family, especially the power doors. Very convenient for small children and full hands. Overall, a great van for us.

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  Nice but noisy - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By libby - November 29 - 3:36 pm

  I love this van but.... It makes a squealing noise when you drive fast. Honda said that itÂ’s fine I donÂ’t agree. Also there is no way for the heat to go to your legs only I enjoyed that feature in my Volvo. The van is real fun to drive but it looks like a big over-weight boat. I am over all very happy i just wish Honda would get rid of the noise.