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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  Riddled with problems, do your research! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By Cathy - December 6 - 9:47 am

  In the last year I have been in the shop 7 times for failed mechanics. The spark plugs have been replaced 3 times due to failure (this is a known Odyssey issue), leaving me stranded. Both sliding doors have failed mechanically. The brakes stopped engaging a few months ago. An engine mount broke. And the transmission has had problem after problem, transmission was flushed, had a software update, replaced the torque converter and still there is a loud vibration from the engine.....the dealership will not acknowledge an issue but there is a class action lawsuit out there (google "Honda transmission vibration problems"). I will never buy a Honda ever again after owning this vehicle.

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  215K and Going....... - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By M.N. - December 5 - 2:45 pm

  Great car overall and still going with normal maintenance. It is on its 3rd transmission (2 paid for by Honda). Besides this, the car is built like a tank and keeps on going.....

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  Checking on the AT Cooler Recommendation - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By shuttsmeup - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I tow a pop up at a bout 1900 - 2000 lbs. NO PROBLEMS SO FAR at 18,000 miles, but to follow up on the question below asking about a Honda recommendation to install AT and PS coolers on all Odysseys used for towing, Ive sent e- mail and left voice mail with my Sales Rep at Sam Swope Honda (Louisville, Ky) to check this out. WILL UPDATE WHEN I RECEIVE A RESPONSE

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  This is the best van ever made. - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By SlickRay - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Simply the best mini-van.

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  200 K on 95 EX -Still Strong & Reliable - 1995 Honda Odyssey
  By jjloveshondas - December 5 - 2:00 am

  My 95 EX is being donated next week but only because another driver crashed into it. Timing Belts every 90K are critical, doesnt have to be done by Honda dealer DONt have to do the Water Pump. First Tuned and Brakes at 90K. Great used car value! Doesnt have tourqe for hills and the engine whines a bit but the passing and acceleration speed power is more than adequate for highway or around town driving. This car owes me nothing, best and lowest cost (in terms of repair) vehicle ever owned and we have almost one million miles of Honda driving!

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  Got it for $1000 off MSRP - Houston - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ksti - December 4 - 2:43 am

  Solid Build Quality. Plenty of room for everyone. The dual sliding doors are very cool to help load the kids. Plenty of pep in the engine. The only downside was the possibility of having to pay MSRP for a car. We finally got the dealer to come off the MSRP by $1000 and take off the price of all the dealer add-ons. Final out- the-door price for the EX was 27,510.

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  Excellent buy for your money - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Azhar Choudhry - December 4 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the Honda Odyssey 2004. For this price I think it is the best mini van that you can get. The fuel economy is better then the most. It is reliable. Power sliding doors are standard feature in EX model. I will recommend it over Toyota Sienna. The drive is very smooth and confortable. But if you leave every thing out, it is still a HONDA.

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  THE BEST MINIVAN EVER - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Yulie - December 2 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I owned a 2002 Toyota Camry and we loved the car. When we first got it we only had 2 kids and it was comfortable. We now have 3 and the youngest is only 8 months old. Oh oh time for a bigger vehicle. We loved our car but we have to move on. When it came to deciding on what type of vehicle the Honda Odyssey was our choice. We couldnt of chosen better it is a great vehicle. I miss my camry but this is a great mini van and the kids love the fact that it is very comfortable and so do we.

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  AWESOME VEHICLE - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By chacho72 - December 2 - 10:00 am

  My brother own one and I never drove it. When I got mine, I was so impressed that I will not buy any other van than the Odyssey. The drive is so smooth that sometimes I have trouble hearing whether the engine is on or not. The safety features are awesome.

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  really dissatisfied - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Dissatisfied - December 1 - 9:40 am

  The heater is slow to warm up and then is not very warm, the air conditioner is slow to cool and not very cool. The brakes grab. The CD player does not play on rough roads or during cool temperatures. The visibility is poor through the side view mirrors. The driver seat is uncomfortable for shorter people.