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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Great Auto --- Bad Battery!!! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
By VA-ODY - August 12 - 2:00 amI ended up getting a great deal...200 above invoice!!!! man am I a better talker than the car salesman or what. And ever since then it has been great. THEN 2 DAYS AFTER BUYING IT, A PROBLEM!! My wife calls me up and says that the car wont start. She says that it has no power at all. Turns out in the end that the battery was CRAP, and it was changed out and I went on with things. I know that it has only been a week since that problem but since then...everything is great. We love having a car that has more horses than most SUVs, and a comfortable quiet ride. I sure hope the greatness of the car keeps up.
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I like it but have noticed some negatives - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By 1stXminivanowner - August 6 - 12:23 amBest minivan available for the cost. The noise is unbearable if you open sliding door windows without at least cracking the front windows. It is so loud it is painful. Many of "safety features" are annoying to us. One that aggravates me the most is if I unlock car with remote from inside the house, it relocks itself before I get to it. Even with complaints, I would buy it again. Gas mileage not great.
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not a bad van.... - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By - August 5 - 10:00 ami was weary of getting a van.. now that i got an oddy.. i love it!! doors are a bit noisy.. do hear the slush from the fuel compartment.. but other than that.. its great.. ps. where are the last pair of speakers?? i have the EX-L and i only see 4 grills...
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Honda should be held accountable - 2007 Honda Odyssey
By barbara - August 2 - 2:20 pmI have seen many suggestions of a class action lawsuit in reviews regarding Hondas claim of MPG and the actual MPG that consumers have noted. I too am extremely disappointed that Honda claimed 26 MPG on the road for this vehicle. I am lucky to get 12/13 on the highway. Also, the shift is not smooth nor is the ride comfortable on a long trip. The lift gate is incredibly difficult to manage. I am constantly asking for assistance in the grocery store parking lot. No excuse for a door to be that difficult to lower, especially since an automatic was not an option on this model. I was so pleased with my Toyota Sienna, and definitely went "downhill" with this purchase.
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Good car unimpressive reliability - 1999 Honda Odyssey
By Zwiss - August 1 - 2:00 amCars a pleasure to drive, overall performs well. Ugly recent experience with ignition system malfunction that killed all power to van at random. Local Brandon, FL dealer was clueless on condition for 3 months of painful operation. Lindell Honda in Tampa rescued us from suffering by diagnosing problem in 30 seconds--bad ignition system! Experienced some other small problems-- but getting tired with the frequent trips to the dealer.
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Its Number One for a reason! - 1999 Honda Odyssey
By LSC86 - July 29 - 2:00 amNot wanting to wait 6+ months for a new LX and finding a great deal on this 99 EX, I can say that I am more than happy with our choice. The Odyssey truly does stand above the rest in terms of size, seating, power, and looks. The power doors are a bit slow and I really miss the keyless entry and sunroof we had on the Explorer, but overall the EX is nicely loaded and the fold flat 3rd seat it tops. Almost 7,000 trouble free miles so far for us with just under 55,000 total on the car. My previous Honda Accord is still kicking strong at over 150k miles and I fully expect to get 200k from this one.
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excellent - 1999 Honda Odyssey
By sachi hotaling - July 29 - 2:00 amlove this car, swore we would never own a van and the odessey changed our mind!!
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Second Best Buy our family has made - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By KarenK1 - July 29 - 2:00 amoutside of small nitpicking issues like the cigarette lighter location and improved CD track changing controls on the steering wheel, I would say that this is the best vehicle I have every driven. The navigation system is a big plus as well.
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Great Road Trips - 2009 Honda Odyssey
By Mark Rudloff - July 27 - 6:54 pmMini van is 7 years old and looks new except for wear on carpeting. Easiest and best road trip vehicle.
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lifesaver - 1999 Honda Odyssey
By adi - July 27 - 2:00 amit is true, the odyssey has excellent safety qualities. my 1999ex was t- boned, airbags deployed, windshield and drivers window shattered, suspension collapsed, shell crumpled, was hit really bad but we walked out alive. im sure it would have been more serious if we were riding another brand of vehicle. were replacing it with a 2003 model. proven lifesaver.
