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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  Very Pleased - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Ron H - March 15 - 6:30 am

  We are very pleased with our Honda. It is the greatest van we have ever owned. Very comfortable. Love the spaciousness inside, the rear seats that fold intothe floor, and the power doors. We travel very often with six adults and everyone talks about how comfortable it is.

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  Honda Odyssey EX - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By j ross - March 12 - 12:15 am

  Excellent van!

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  The cream of the crop - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By KLT - March 11 - 11:53 pm

  This van handles like a sports car. I find myself frequently traveling in excess of the speed limit, unintentional of course, simply because this van is so smooth and quiet. The Odyssey has held very well under the onslaught of my three active kids. And when it gets really bad there is enough room to create the appropriate buffer zones between them. This has been a great family van, and think we could not have made a better choice.

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  This is a GREAT Minivan! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Alfredo - March 11 - 9:43 am

  My Wife and I have made fun at minivan people for years. We never test drove one as we wouldnt get caught dead in one. But then we were pregnant with our 4th baby. The Odessey is one awesome minivan. Strong engine, cool to drive, great fuel economy (then again, our previous car was a GMC Yukon XL) and absolutely, positively the most versatile and comfortable vehicle for someone with a family. If you have 1-2 kids, get a sedan or a wagon, if more kids this is your car. Seats move, come off and configure anyway you want them. Get the DVD player if you have kids, its well worth it! The sunroof is great too.

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  2015 odyssey - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Heather Johnston - March 9 - 6:26 am

  Great car so far. Im still getting used to it. Its much bigger than my odd honda

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  Too many squeaks and creaks!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By LDR Atlanta - March 7 - 10:00 am

  We bought this Odyssey with the hopes of returning to a Japanese made car and limiting trips to the service dept. for oil changes- WRONG! We are taking our van in for the 3rd time today. Weve owned this van for 3 months- this is crazy. The front seat belts squeak and it is loud and VERY annoying. Honda replaced them- but they are squeaking again. We also have a creaking problem in the front suspension. It supposedly was fixed- but now its creaking again. This is such a huge pain and inconvenience. Its a pain to take the car seat out- be without a car, etc...

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  Grat Baby Transporter - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By B J Dixon - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Car runs like all Hondas...smooth, safe ride. Children are loaded at waist level which reduces stress on caretakers back. Plenty of room for stroller and packages in rear.

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  Great van with some problems. - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By HN - March 4 - 12:06 am

  Thiss a fun and powerful van with overall nice built quality. Few complaints are: 1) Road noise. Its bad enough that I dont enjoy my CDs during my travel any more so I shut it off. 2) The Hondas "gate logic" transmission which shift down as soon as you lift off the gas. I am sure there is a purpose but its annoying as if shifts down mostly when you dont want it to. 3) Its a 5 speed but you cant shift to 4th gear, like going down a hill where 3rd gear is too low. 4) The famous brake grinding problem that Honda, after a year, still cant figure out how to fix yet. 5) Lots of little noise everywhere in the cabin which I was able to fix myself with felts. Regardless, Ill buy it again.

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  nice minivan - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By BMH - March 2 - 2:00 pm

  Solid and fun to drive. Highest safety rateing. Great resale value, more horsepower than any in class.best of all Honda engineering.

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  Why - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Howard Jackson - February 28 - 7:50 pm

  Operating the features is unnecessarily difficult. The controls for talk or text is difficult and unsafe