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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  Family Plus-Bus - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Joel Netz - March 5 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have owned our Odyssey for about 3 months now and we love it. The extra room and versatility of the vehicle is exemplary. The 3.5 V6 is all the engine it needs. I cannot wait to get it out on the highway for an extended period of time. This was the perfect vehicle when we had our first child, Sam. We look forward to using it for many years to come.

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  First impression - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By dave - March 4 - 11:40 pm

  Quick notes: (1) How can this car be without day time running lights? (2) Some of the interior feels cheap. (3) The passenger side armrest is an ergonomically AWFUL and skeletally unfriendly design (you will need muscle relaxers on a long ride). (4) This car guzzles gas. Driving just a mere 14 miles cost me a quater of a tank. You can practically see the fuel gauge move. (5) The second row middle seat is a poor design and the storage entry below seems not thoughtfully designed. The hand sized opening is ridiculous in view of the cavernous storage area. You cannot possibly reach items that are not within a few inches from the opening, but there is no way to keep items close to the opening.

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  2005 Honda Odyssey is awesome - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Jacknlisa7 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  After test driving a Toyota Sienna and intending to buy it the next day, we decided to see and quickly eliminate a 2005 Odyssey from our options. Lucky for us we decided to have a quick look because it fit our needs much better and even came with a price tag of nearly $5,000 less than its rival. The Honda engine in the EX-L is extremely clean burning and fuel efficient. While the Sienna is a nice vehicle, the Odyssey gives owners much more bang for their buck.

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  Looking to buy another Odyssey next time - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By CHEM MAN - February 28 - 2:00 am

  We have been extremely happy with our Odyssey purchase. We never considered ourselves to be minivan people but the Odyssey just may have changed that. The DVD navigation system is addictive. It has plenty of power in town and out on the highway. It is the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. This has to be the best minivan on the market.

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  My Honda Odyssey Experience - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By cmomgo - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I previously owned a Toyota Camry which was highly reliable. I had some revervations about switching, but this has been a top notch verhicle.

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  never again - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By stevNsue - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Too many things going wrong on a dailey basis......

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  You cant find a better mini van. - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Matt W - February 23 - 3:42 am

  We bought ours new at the end of 2005. It now has 240,000 miles on it. This vehicle was always serviced at the dealership. the only things that have gone wrong on it were a minor issue with the AC, and a high pressure line on the power steering. The power steering was sometimes noisy, but it has never not worked. The only issue I have with the van is that if you do not rotate the tires at least every 5000 miles, they will become noisy. Other than that, you really cannot buy a better minivan. Despite the high miles, I have complete confidence int he van. We just drove it over 1000 miles for vacation, and it turned 240,000 miles on that trip. Last summer with over 220,000 miles we went over 13 hrs from home, into Canada. Now being down to only 1 kid at home, we will sell it. We just bought a Pilot to replace the van.

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  NO COMPLAINTS - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By nachtaluci - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I looked at the caravan first and test drove both, even though the Honda is more money, it is well well worth it. The gas mileage is excellent, very happy with vehicle thus far.

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  Honda vs Germany - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By peapop - February 19 - 11:00 am

  Before two kids, we always said no way to a minivan... until we saw and drove the current generation Odyssey. I agree with everyone else that the car is outstanding in many ways, blah blah blah. I have to stress that I am extremely picky about what I drive and no matter how much cash you want to blow on a minivan - Honda has everyone licked. The Odyssey frustrates me that for half of what my other car costs AND being a freakin minivan - it actually is all anybody needs. I rarely drive my car anymore.

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  Best van ever - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By Russ - February 18 - 8:40 am

  I purchased this van with about 75,000 miles on around 10 yrs ago. It now has almost 365,000 miles. Ive done regular maintenance on it, no engine or transmission problems. My wife asked me if I wanted to get rid of it. I said "Why, its been one of the most dependable cars we ever had!" I met someone that had 600,000 on their Prelude and his brother had 800,000 on his Accord. It s paid for, low maintenance and hope to keep it a long time to come.