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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  Wonderful Car - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By LTS - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Practical solution to the many demands of life. 2.3 litre VTEC engine is a must for performance (165 hp)

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  Best In Its Class - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Darwoody - February 17 - 12:10 pm

  2005 Honda Odyssey is the way to go when buying a minivan. It drives and handles the road like a car. Its very comfortable and easy to fall in love with. A five-star rated minivan in my opinion. I could sell these vehicles all day long....and Im not a sales person.

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  Hot Rod of Mini-Vans - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By S2000black - February 17 - 3:50 am

  Handles great, good power. I notice alot of 05 Odysseys cutting and weaving through traffic. I think most people get overly confident driving the Ody. It feels like a sports sedan. Been of 5 trips in 7 months. Love the Navi. My 80 year old mother and my 4 grandkids love the DVD with surround sound headphones.

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  l998 Odyssey Minivan - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By BigJack - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a terrific automobile. It has an excellent 4-cylinder engine with perfectly satisfactory performance, a smooth and versatile transmission, fine handling, great comfort and superior quality. It also gets 25 mpg in local (Hudson Valley) driving and a little better on long trips. My only complaint is the damned digital odometer.

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  Great so far, time will tell.... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By psigs - February 15 - 6:10 pm

  Got our new EX in Dec. Shopped around to find the colors we wanted. Edmunds says that others are paying MSRP but dealers around Dallas are advertising about 5% over invoice, which is what we paid. Sure is nice compared to our 97 GMC Safari that we traded in. First couple tanks of gas netted about 15 mpg for about 2/3 city and 1/3 highway. Hope that improves as the motor breaks in. Dont let the dealers get you to pay for that "paint sealant and scotch-guard" baloney.

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  excellent for travel - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By sharon264 - February 12 - 1:06 pm

  I took this car on a road trip, over 5,000 miles, with my two sons (8&13)and it was excellent. There were no complaints of discomfort. I highly recommend this vehicle or any Honda. I had an Accord for 12 years with over 200,000 miles and it was excellent.

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  one year later - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By JMR - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Ody last February - great from the start. However after one year and about 13,000 miles I needed four new tires. Also I notice a lot of cabin noise - the rear doors sound funny. Took it to a honda dealer to be fixed and they say they dont hear the rattle. Also I notice the gas tank makes swashy noises.

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  2006 Odyssey Touring is Awesome - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By venkat - February 5 - 7:46 pm

  Well after lot of deliberation beween Toyota Sienna XLE Ltd vs Honda Odyssey Touring, both are excellent minivans. We finally bought the Odyssey, the ride was nimble and handling was very good. It does not feel like a minivan or big vehicle. The interior is very meticulously designed. The seats are more comfortable than the Sienna

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  97 Odyssey - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Family Man - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great minivan! Highly recommend as a super family vehicle with many flexible uses. Look long and hard a better vehicle would be tough to find for function and value.

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  97 Odyssey - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Family man - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great minivan! Highly recommend as a super family vehicle with many flexible uses. Look long and hard a better vehicle would be tough to find for function and value.