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:

• 

  Love our minivan - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Judy Lipinski - April 7 - 10:13 am

  seriously very happy with our purchase. I just think the user interface for the controls could be better. and the one thing we HATE, is that there is no way to adjust the passengers seat height.

• 

  Love our used car - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By M. Crawford - April 5 - 7:09 pm

  We bought the Honda 2000 Odyssey in 2004. The warranty was still valid. This can has been super-reliable and super-comfortable for our family of five and two dogs. After the warranty expired, an automatic door stopped working easily. Eventually we stopped using it. We had a mechanic do the 100K service of changing the water pump and timing belt; that cost about $950, which was much cheaper than the dealership. When the car reached 16 years of age it needed a new transmission. The repair cost is too much for the age of the car, so we are trading it in.

• 

  Hondas minivan is wonderful - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Kat - April 2 - 1:53 pm

  I absolutely love my Honda Odyssey. It is so incredibly comfortable and our children cannot wait to go somewhere in it. The DVD is one of the features that my family truly enjoys. The power doors are great. When my hands are full, all I have to do is push a button and the doors open by themselves. I cannot say enough about the Honda Odyssey. The comfort, the space and the reliability of this van is superb. I would reccomend this auto to anyone searching for a minivan for their family. I cannot say it enough, we are truly satisfied with the choice that we made to purchase a Honda Odyssey.

• 

  I live in my car - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Inspector - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Compared to my previous Chrysler Vans the Honda is miles ahead in all factors.I will drive Hondas from now on.

• 

  Honda Odyssey - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By julesagain - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this van and I will drive it until it dies. I test drove every minivan and SUV before buying this one. It drives the most like a Honda car - good suspension, tight steering, confident feel in traffic. I drive over 25K miles per year in the worst traffic in the US. This van has been a champ and has never left me stranded. If you have resisted minivans because you love your sports car, this one is the least painless if you need the space. I really love it and resist driving our other vehicles now.

• 

  Great people mover - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By RaymondK - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the best minivan Ive ever owned. Theres no engine noise on the freeway, period. The folding third row seat desing is also great. Adding the optional subwoofer makes the stock CD player more enjoyable.

• 

  Are we sure this is a VAN?? - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Hondatogo - March 29 - 11:46 pm

  It drives, handles and performs better than many of the sedans out there on the streets. What a beauty! The 240 horses give you a sense of power, but during normal driving conditions, you cant tell the difference between this and the previous years. If you can get one in less than 90 days on the waiting list, more power to you. I was lucky that they actually had one sitting in the lot...

• 

  Love my 05 Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Robert B. Owens - March 27 - 7:53 pm

  As a salesman who puts close to 50,000 miles per year on a vehicle I want something I can depend on and the 05 Odyssey fills the bill. It is very powerful, yet gets good gas mileage ( 21-25 mpg depending on conditions) comfortable and fun to drive. It just has the feel of a solid well built car that can haul 4 golfers, their clubs and luggage with ease. A very important aspect for me is the resale value which is 2nd to none in its class. When the time comes I will buy another one.

• 

  No longer the "mommy mobile!" - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Burke - March 24 - 12:30 pm

  The odyssey is a sporty minivan that helps alleviate the "Im a typical mom" syndrome! I can fit my three boys and all of their gear comfortably. The DVD system with wireless headphones is wonderful, especially when waiting at rainy baseball practices! Very reliable and comfortable. I like the maintenance reminder and the removable middle seat is a plus!

• 

  best minivan ever - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By pspk - March 24 - 5:13 am

  contrary to what i read from edmunds tmv price i got the van 1250 dollars cheaper than the MSRP price.the key is shopping around.try all the dealers. dealer price is 2% to 3% less than the invoice price.for any new vehicle ask for a 4% to 8% above the invoice and walk out if you dont get it.but for odyssey it is going to be really tough but worth trying to go up from the invoice price. the van is worth every cent. excellent handling.i feel the control is much better than the corolla i have.