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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  my 2002 odysey - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By The odyysssey guy - July 24 - 10:00 am

  overall I am happy with the vehicle. The consumer specs are wrong as far as fuel tank: it is 16 gal. as to the promised 20 gal. storage space and ease of use is great, rides nice. on trips with A/C on @80 mph look for 22 mpg in the city easy driving look for 20mpg. Honda service has a bit to be desired, no loaners unless they parts are on backorder 3 or more days.Do not get the extended warranty, it is not worth 1,600. they need to make the spare tire more accessible, it is also a small skinny, and a full size will not fit in the compartment. Overall I will take the Odyssey over any other minivan by far, if a van is your desire.

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  GET A TOWN & COUNTRY - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By tealg - July 24 - 10:00 am

  NOISE COMING DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA WHEN WE DROVE HOME FROM DEALER

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  Trouble Free - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By ProblemFree - July 23 - 2:00 am

  My first Honda. Terrible experiences with previous Chrysler products, Honda has been completely trouble free. Handles well, easy to park, lot of power. Looks new after 4 years and 65k miles!

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  Why I didnt buy - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Julia Anne - July 21 - 7:59 am

  I loved this van except for the black carpets. I like light colors inside and they were not available in the 2018 so, I bought a Sienna that fit the colors I like. I still like the Odessey better. I loved the way it drove and all the safety features. I like the feel of the van hugging the highway. I also like the looks of the Odessey better than the Sienna....but, being female I went with the light colors inside the van.

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  excellent - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By sweetser/jesse - July 21 - 6:03 am

  It took almost 3500 miles to achieve the twenty mpg around town but I now have about thirty two hundred miles on my Odyssey and am completely satisfied.This is my third six cylinder Odyssey and by far the best. My son has my 99 and he thinks its great,especially the dependability in the cold and snowy Northeast.

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  Honda van was worth the wait - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Binkman - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a great van - a typical Honda. Well thought out, well designed, will be reliable , lots of standard features no dealer gouging on all those packages. This is a powerful, comfortable, functional and yes, fun to drive vehicle . There is tons of space and with the movable 2nd row and folding 3rd row additional space is easy to get to. Thought we would never buy a van (after driving other manufacturers offerings and the stigma) - I cant believe we waiting this long (turns out we just werent trying the right one). The 4 month wait was worth it, will buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Honda van was worth the wait - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a great van - a typical Honda. Well thought out, well designed, will be reliable , lots of standard features no dealer gouging on all those packages. This is a powerful, comfortable, functional and yes, fun to drive vehicle . There is tons of space and with the movable 2nd row and folding 3rd row additional space is easy to get to. Thought we would never buy a van (after driving other manufacturers offerings and the stigma) - I cant believe we waiting this long (turns out we just werent trying the right one). The 4 month wait was worth it, will buy another in a heartbeat.

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  2005 odessey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By phil - July 14 - 10:13 pm

  wonderful van i have not enjoyed driving a family car in such a long time.I acutually do most of the driving and dont get mad in traffic.

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  Serious Safety Concerns - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Dan - July 13 - 7:13 pm

  My wife and I purchased a new 2007 Honda Odyssey. It has been in the shop several times. Recently after having service completed for a defective steering pump, my wife lost control of her van when the steering wheel locked up. The van was towed and the service department claimed they accidentally replaced the defected steering pump with a defected steering pump. All that said, be careful buying a Honda Odyssey, the so- called "Honda Quality" is not all that its worth. Please Be Careful!

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  Great car so far - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Thomas - July 13 - 3:13 pm

  Only had it a few weeks but its been great so far.