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:

• 

  99 ody - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By canuck1 - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Minor problems all covered by warranty.No problems with tranny which has been a problem on some(2%) ody. in the early models.Might buy a new one in 05,06 if this one stays ok

• 

  Karens Review - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By ksmith - February 5 - 2:00 am

  We love the car and so does the middle and high school kids. We have been told that the van is "tight".

• 

  Love it, love it, love it! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By PW - February 4 - 3:53 pm

  We have just bought our 3rd Odyssey. No other minivan can compare, I wonder why the other guys dont just give up! I test drove the Toyota Sienna, thinking the new design would finally be some competition. ICK! I cant think of a single thing that I liked better about the Sienna, including the price. The Odyssey drives much smoother and more solid and the stearing wheel has a firmer feel. The Odyssey feels bigger (especially drivers seat) even in places where the specs say the Toyota is bigger. I thought our old 2001 Odyssey was the best ever - but Honda has improved on perfection.

• 

  Hit and Miss - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Greg Murphy - February 3 - 2:00 am

  My first Honda was a 1986 Accord Sedan LX that I purchased new and got 197,000 miles of wonderful service from. My 2001 Honda Odyssey LX (that I also purchased new) has been both dissapointing and frustrating. Although gently used, the van gets about 11-14 mpg in the city and anywhere from 17-21 mpg on the highway, Ive had transmission problems, body side moldings have fallen off, and the van now rattles like a garbage can. The worst part of it is that Honda couldnt care less! Never again!

• 

  Happy w/ Honda - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By lotsajim - January 31 - 10:00 am

  It took a trip to Chicago to find the style ane price we wanted, but it was worth it. A 2 month wait and $$ higher price was all we couold find in St Paul.

• 

  2001 Honda Ex - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Gayle A - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive been leasing the 2001 Ex Honda for almost 3 years. I had no problems with it. Its been great. Im going to buy a 2004 when my lease is over.

• 

  Never a Problem Since 1997 - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Denise Ramirez - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This minivan amazes me. Since 1997 I have never had one problem. I get the require maintenance, etc. and thats it. My co-worker has a 1997 Aerostar. Her van is always in the shop for something. I feel that I made a very wise choice with the Honda Odyssey. It now has 85,000

• 

  Value for the Money - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Specklebelly - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in April, 1999, this vehicle now has 73k miles. Excellent value at the time as a similarly equipped Ford van was $6,000 more. Our Odyssey has been very reliable and will purr along on the interstate at 75 m.p.h. all day. Excellent cargo capacity. In fact, we took the van on vacation instead of our Ford F-150 Super Crew as the Odyssey held about twice the amount of stuff.

• 

  The best mini-van ever!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By MD Mousseau - January 24 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Odyssey in Aug03 had to relocate due to the military and drove over 5000 miles to Alaska from Georgia packed with 3 kids, two small dogs and all our luggage. This mini-van had great power driving up steep hills & mountains even with 2in. of snow, it handled the road conditions as if we had studded tires and the traction control did great. It was a smooth drive and did great on gas mileage.

• 

  Ecstatic - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Stacey - January 24 - 1:20 am

  This is a terrific vehicle! I was a previous owner of a Quest and wish I had started with the Odyssey. Kid friendly, plenty of cup holders & storage. Easy to fold seats, even my 5 yr. old can do it. The DVD has a crisp, clean screen. This vehicle is so quiet during city & highway driving. Easy to read dash & user friendly climate control. So much more superior to the Quest. It gets great gas mileage. I cant say enough good things about this van!