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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  Honda Quality? - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By ycz - May 20 - 4:04 pm

  Honda simply does not live upon its reputaion for this van. Just list problems we have: 1)Replaced both front struts(1st month)2)A/C broken after 3 months3)Replaced clock light4)Idle control valve(idle speed up/down automatically)5)Rear break squeaks but Honda says it is normal 6)Transmission failed at 15k. Having own few Toyotas, wanted to try Honda. What a disappointment!

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  Honda #4 - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By whatnot - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Drives well, seating excellent expecially third row that dissappears, handles like a car, front and rear air is great.

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  Redesigned Odyssey is Great! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By john - May 18 - 4:33 am

  My wife and I have waited and crammed 3 kids into a much smaller car for 2 years just to buy this new Odyssey. We are NOT disappointed! The split folding rear seat, the performance, the styling, and comfort are awesome! Weve also had occassion to try out the vehicle stability control feature - it works! If we drive rather conservatively, we can get around 22 MPG in town and 27 on the highway. But with this much engine, its hard to drive slow!

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  Drives like a car... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By dansgirl - May 16 - 9:56 am

  So far we have been very pleased with our new purchase. We looked at the Sienna, but the Hondas ride and overall comfort sold us. We have never owned a stigmatized minivan, we have always been a SUV or Truck family, but we have been more than pleased with the luxurious interior and amenities available for our entire familys comfort and ride enjoyment.

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  Dependable - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Danette Wetterauer - May 15 - 3:37 am

  It is dependable if you take care of it.

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  Best MiniVan Period - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Binkman - May 13 - 7:16 pm

  I have owed Oldsmobile and Chryler minivans in the past. I have rented GM minivans. None compare to the new Odyssey. It has power,room and the fold down rear seat is great. Like all Hondas engine has horsepower and good fuel economy

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  Big Disappointment - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill - May 13 - 4:27 pm

  We searched for several minivans before deciding on the Odyssey. We now wish we had searched longer. Our van is six years old and has 66,000 miles. In that time we have had three recalls, power sliding door problems (which the dealer could not duplicate), numerous paint chips requiring repainting of surfaces, and now it is necessary to have a new transmission installed. The dealer said that Honda has worked out many of the problems which were in the original models, but I feel as though this should have been taken care of in the R&D phase. We have friends who have Ford Freestars with over 40,000 miles and no problems at all. Please look farther than the over rated Honda Odyssey!

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  Excellent van with few flaws - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By BamaFlum - May 12 - 2:54 pm

  Excellent value for the money. We bought to accomodate our two kids and after the purchase found out we were having a third! Fit and finish are superb. The engine is responsive and has lots of pep. Fuel economy is very poor (in the SUV range). One recall problem (tranny) fixed without any problems and our dealer was very professional about it(we never had any problems with the tranny). Van has lots of room and the rear storage area is cavernous. Auto doors can pinch little fingers, but we have learned to live with the quarks others have mentioned. Great van for a family.

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  Comfy Cozy - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Bob SMITH - May 9 - 2:23 pm

  This is our third Honda Odyssey and it doesnt disappoint. We just took our first road trip and it was a joy.

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  All I wanted n a minvan - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By David Exley - May 9 - 5:52 am

  Have had this car for 8 years and have had no problems. Would buy again without hesitation. Only down side was mileage, but dont know what similar vans do. Can haul 4 adults plus 2 smaller people on backseat with no problem. Runs great with same acceleration. Easy to get in and out which becomes more and more difficult as you get older and joints dont not move like they did when younger. Van is a 2008 Honda Odyssey bought new.