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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Pulling left at highway speeds - 2003 Honda Odyssey
By Jim Tubbs - July 26 - 10:00 amI have experienced the car pulling left at highway speeds especially when in the passing lanes. Honda has had the car 2 times and tell me they test drive it with having the same problem. I would like to know if anybody else is havig the same problem. I am going to request a technician ride with me. Other than that the vechicle performs great.
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00 honda odyssey ex - 2000 Honda Odyssey
By ashley jones - July 26 - 2:00 amOverall its a good car. only 2 recalls. It just only broke down once due to transmission defeat.
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Have some common sense - 2016 Honda Odyssey
By KMan - July 23 - 12:44 pmThis is a mini van. With all of the electronic doors and computers, it is not the minivan of the 80s. So far so good. Simple to buy a Honda. No trying to figure out stupid accessories and options. They really simplify the process. The seats fold and/or install and remove easy. Easy to open the doors and tailgate. The computer system/setup is terrible. You have two screens showing sort of the same thing, but not really. Trying to figure out how to get the audio working for the RES from the front seat was a challenge for a tech person. Not impressed with the two screen setup. Very Wonky. Not a deal breaker though. I would buy another. I hope the cables last on the auto doors, time will tell. I wish there were covers to put over the metal loops (latches) if you remove on seats from the second row (we have the middle seat removed which leaved 4 U shaped metal pieces protruding from the floor to collect food and mud. I highly suggest adding weather tech mats. A huge life saver.
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Think Twice Before Buying! - 2001 Honda Odyssey
By 2001HondaBadNews! - July 23 - 2:00 amWe purchased this vehicle & 100 miles later the CHECK ENGINE & TCS light came on. Took it back to COMMUNITY HONDA where we purchased it 5 days previously & was told that they already had the rebuilt transmission, that the previous owners brought it in 10 days prior to the sale & decided to trade it in instead of pay for a new transmission.Meanwhile, Community Honda certified the vehicle, ordered a transmission but never put it in & put the van on the lot to sell. When confronted they offered to give us $100.00 & said they didnt know. We demanded to cancel our contract & are in the process of returning the vehicle! Very unethical!!
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Good overall - 2001 Honda Odyssey
By axr80c - July 23 - 2:00 amGood overall since bought. No major problems. Problems with door sticking, taken to dealer couple times. Rick Case is good about repairs etc. Stay away from Motor Cars Cleve Hts. They kept the vehicle all day 3 times for a clinking noise. They couldnt find problem. Eventually they wanted to replace my whole subframe to solve the clinking noise, which was repaired at Rick Case with a simple bolt tightening.
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great vam - 2000 Honda Odyssey
By TC1 - July 22 - 2:00 amafter 4 years, still a great van.
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Odyssey #2, More of the same - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By Jeff Aloway - July 20 - 9:13 pmWe own the 2003 & 2005. I got the 05 for the same price and with more features than our 03. Outside is stylish with nice lines & is put together well. The leather seats are not as comfortable as the Lxi; leather seems hard and seats are too firm. Controls: within reach and intuitive. Mirror defrosters: nice. AC works great, but heating seems slow. Visibility is good. ++ moonroof and roll down 2nd row windows with sun shades. I do not miss rear window vents. Storage is great. DVD and music systems are good. Fold down seat is nice and easy to operate. Good acceleration, easy braking, smooth transmission. No extra noises. Mileage is what I expected.
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First Van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
By nowavanguy - July 18 - 5:56 amWe researched the Sienna and this one and finally went for the odyssey because it drove better and looks better overall than the Sienna, in my opinion. On the inside, they are both pretty competitive and I did not find anything that stood out that was better than the other. The Sienna had all these confusing package options with not all option packages that you like available in all regions. This is a mess. On the contrary Honda has implemented a simpler scheme where you have 4 or 5 basic packages and individual accessories on top on them to choose from. A nice van overall.
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Perfect Vehicle for Family - 2000 Honda Odyssey
By Reliabilityimp - July 18 - 2:00 amThis has been a perfect vehicle for a family of 5 that often travels with two relatives to fill all 7 seats. Great as a hauler to ski resorts on winter weekends, beach or mountains in summer. Not a single non-regular maintenance repair or service in 80,000 miles. Why do people pay the extra $$ for SUVs? We keep our cars for 8 years or more, but when it comes time to replace this Odyssey well definitely be Honda repurchasers.
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So-So - 2003 Honda Odyssey
By Race - July 17 - 2:00 amVery dissatisified with the fuel mileage. 12 city and 16 highway. Our 94 Aerostar with all wheel drive did much better and would run circles around our Odyssey. Has developed a real bad clunking sound from the rear brakes/suspension. Typical dearlership babble, "they all do that". We have 22,000 miles on it now and it has developed several rattles, clunks and other loose sound from both the front and rear suspensions and other areas under the van. I have no doubt that the engine and drivetrain will last 250,000 miles or more, but I am wondering if the rest of the vehicle will last as long?