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 Odyessy Touring Model a GAS HOG - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By T Leshko - January 21 - 4:06 amThe Honda Odyessy 2005 Touring Model met the advertised specifications except EPA gas mileage. It is a gas hog! Fuel economy is adverstised at 21/28 City/ Highway. I get ( with over 8500 miles on the vehicle) 13.8 MPG City and 21MPG Interstate. This great variance of more than 30% was related to America Honda Corporate HQs in Torrance, CA. several times. Their response was, you should expected to get a little difference depending on driving conditions. My requests for the EPA test specs for fuel economy was denied. A 30 % variance does not meet the ethical business practice that you expect from Honda. I would have purchased a Toyota Sienna instead, and intend to do that.
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Superior Handling - 2018 Honda Odyssey
By R. V. M. - January 19 - 2:18 pmI feel like driving a sedan and not a minivan. Super smooth ride so much improvement from previous models.
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Sell it - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By Rick Younkin - January 18 - 2:00 amIt has issues and Honda Motor Company does not wish to address them.
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LOVE this van! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By gottaklu - January 17 - 2:00 amWe have always been a Toyota family...until we bought the Odyssey. It doesnt have some of the little "extras" like outside temp guage, but who cares? Id rather have a vehicle I can depend on and this is it! I will never have a different kind of minivan.
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Great Van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By NLJJS36 - January 14 - 10:26 amThe new honda with 200 miles got 24 MPg on our first trip. This van is fun to drive, and love the voice activated navigation, the DVD and the XM radio.
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Satisfied Overall - 1999 Honda Odyssey
By Ather - January 13 - 2:00 amI bought this car just for the Honda reputation used with 24k miles. Great long distance runner, people mover and multipurpose vehicle. It drives smooth and quiet. I have put over 55k miles on the car and have had to change the battery, brakes, tires (a few times) and rear side window which slipped out of its frame. It has a Honda recall on the tranny which I havent had problems yet with but am starting to feel it a bit now. Tire balancing has been a problem with all the new tires. Overall, quite satisfied. I would also look at the Toyota Sienna. It is smaller but has a tighter feel to it.
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Best van around - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By Vantastic - January 11 - 10:00 amThis is an excellent van. Great handling and power at all speeds.It is worth the higher price because resale blows the competition away.
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Disappointed - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By Klem - January 10 - 2:00 amBody integrity has been poor. Rattles in doors and wind noise at 60-70 mph is excessive. Would not buy another.
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Great Van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By Jim - January 9 - 12:13 amI had a American van it was in the shop every 3 months for one thing or another. I am on my 2nd Honda Van neither one has ever been in the shop for any repairs Just oil changes tire rotation thats it Thank Honda keep up the good work and ill keep buying them.
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2010 Odyssey-Ownership log - 2010 Honda Odyssey
By car lover - January 8 - 6:09 amDealers are good. We bought the car in an emergency. We saw an EX-L RES but we wanted nav, so the dealer swapped it out in an hour for an EX-L RES NAV. Our car is Ocean Mist Metallic. No major parts have been replaced. We also have a 2008 Odyssey Touring (Mocha Metallic) and a 2012 Camry SE (Attitude Black). The car was bought new on December 23, 2010.
