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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  Drive Left Only - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By cmd - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Although my wife and I love the Honda (the DVD with wireless headphones let us can talk while the kids watch) the Odyssey has a serious alignment problem and pulls hard left at highway speed. Cannot be attributed to "road crown", wide tires, or other potential causes. In for service twice for over five days and the Honda dealership Operations Manager is not satisfied with the results. This is a design flaw and cannot be fixed unless taken out of manufacturers specifications, which would cause extreme tire wear. If your dead set on buying an Odyssey, drive the actual vehichle youre buying (not a demo) on the highway, and let go of the steering wheel.

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  honda odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By vanadium - January 24 - 10:00 am

  great minivan for anyone who needs to haul people, good fuel economy on road but only average day to day, from honda so of course great dependability, fun to drive and great cornering for such a large vehicle, all around good minivan

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  Great family van - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Momof4 - January 18 - 12:30 pm

  Drives Great! Has a lot of fun features for the kids, we love the DVD with the cordless headsets, we can drive and the kids can watch a movie and we dont have to hear it!Great design, dashboard controls are easy to us, and seats are comfy! This is our 2nd Odyssey and our 4th Honda! They are the best...Test drive one today, they are the BEST van out there (trust me, we tried them all)!!

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  Watch out of 05s Issues - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Mommy-Van Driver - January 17 - 12:06 pm

  I love my van as far as features, roominess, etc. but Ive had continual problems with grinding brakes. The dealership FINALLY resealed around windshield to rid wind noise, plastic around glove-box, leg area gets VERY easily "bummed" up. I would not recommend an 05 to anyone. In general its a great van but the new model has had way to many quirks for me. My 9 year old Ford Windstar could beat this van up as far as durability, now special features it does rate tops. Considering trading my 05 for an 06 hoping theyve fixed the quirks.

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  Poor Mileage with New Engine - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Bryan - January 15 - 9:50 pm

  The 2005 Honda with the high efficiency engine touts 22 mpg city/28 highway is a joke. I have over 8,000 miles and the best that I can get is 16 around town and 22 on the highway. Honda has read the onboard computer and states that everything is up to specs. This is our third Odyssey and probably our last if the mileage does not improve.

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  Good but ... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By nosema - January 13 - 1:03 pm

  Very good design.. But poor MPG and shimmy brake make me not so comfortable when I drive it.

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  First Impressions - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By thespyder - January 12 - 10:16 pm

  Interior layout is great. only drawback is no telescoping steering wheel. DVD quality is above average for picture quality and great for size. Third seat fold is cake. 2nd row captains chairs are extremely comfortable. Exterior, I like the new headlights over earlier models. We love the slate green which depending on lighting can be silver or light blue to metallic green. Engine has power to spare. It has great high end acceleration. Wish it had auto rear hatch and laser cruise. Great Choice for mini van shoppers. Cant go wrong with how well this van holds its value.

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  From a Ford E350 to a Honda Touring - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By steve - January 12 - 12:10 pm

  gas mileage 17.4 around town and improving (2k miles), first nail in tire was a learning experience, go to your Honda dealer, only exchange available, have reservations on long term replacement and maint. of tires. Make sure the dealer assists you in initial set up of electronics or be prepared to read and play with set up. The seats comfort sold it! The electronic engine monitoring and performance make driving fun. Excellent in snow. Downshifting to reduce brake use works well in all driving situations--drivetrain will hold speed nicely on slight downgrades. Treated leather with Penguin UltraDry protector/floors with Scotchguard $30. Overall best $33,500 I have ever spent.

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  happy with this van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By mom of one - January 11 - 9:33 am

  Like many others it came down to the Honda & the Toyota. Both are excellent vans. Like many of the other reviews I would like better gas mileage, I am getting 19 to 20 with mixed driving. I think a van at this price point should come with an automatic tail gate, also I would like an option for a removable console between the front seats, and water bottle holders. Also my biggest complaint is with a small child I would like to be able to split the audio between the front and back when she is watching a video, she is 2 small for the headphones. A telescopic steering wheel, & std. trans. cooler would be nice. The backup camera is a wonderful feature.

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  Transmission Anyone - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By icetime - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Have one week under my belt now. Anyone having problems with transmission? I think either Honda or I have a problem. 0 - 45 MPH is very smooth. Over 45(maybe 50) the tranny wants to shift up down and all around as you speed up and slow down. Its not real bad but definitely noticable. Also level speed between 50 and 55 gets you a low throttle sound like there isnt enough power. More than likely it is shifting too soon. This is true all the time not some of the time. My wife and kids hear it also but so far my wife loves the car (go figure). I like the car but it is easily the worst transmission "feel" for any car I have ever driven with such few miles. Guess its off to the dealer.