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:
Showing 2911 through 2920 of 3,253.00-
Great buy - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By ozwirk - January 10 - 10:00 amBest overall vehicle I have purchased in 15 years
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Could it get any better than this??!! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
By ppakrb - January 10 - 10:00 amThe comfort in this van is unbelievable!!! The room and space is excellent. Its made for every size person in mind. The heated seats are very nice for the cold weather.
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Unsafe windows - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By MomofTwo - January 10 - 9:43 amThe main drawbacks are a safety issue and Hondas response. The drivers side window has an auto- up feature. This feature lets you put up your window with a flick of a switch. The only way to stop it is with the switch. There is no sensor stopping the upward motion and even if you press down on the window it will not stop. This works even when the window lock is on and the keys are out of the ignition. Hondas response was that "this is how it was designed, it is not a problem and we dont see a need to change it". Honda also stated "If we had any issues/concerns they needed to be settled when vehicle was purchased". other eg:XM,HVAC.check everything closely b4 u buy!
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2004 - 2004 Honda Odyssey
By Da Gi - January 5 - 2:00 amThe gas mileage is the only downside.
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what a relief - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By Lisa Jensen - January 2 - 4:00 amAfter driving an Expedition for the past 4 years, the Odyssey is like a luxury car!!---What a relief to not have to CLIMB in and out, to not go to the gas station every 3-4 days, to have solid feel when it hugs the road--My only complaint so far is how noisy the air conditioning system is-Living in the south its used 10-11months out of the year and the volume of the AC is way to loud
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Honda odyssey - 2004 Honda Odyssey
By Sebastien Boulos - December 31 - 10:00 amI think the honda odyssey is a good family car but if you are looking for good gas mileage this mini vans is not a good option but for reliabilty it is a good choice.It is surely a one of a kind mini van.
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Look out Clark W Grizwald - 2016 Honda Odyssey
By Chris - December 30 - 7:10 amOverall this van provides the extra room and comfort that we were looking for versus our 2012 Honda CR-V boy biggest gripe is that the second row seats do not go back far enough to keep the kids from kicking the front drivers and passengers seats. And if you move one of those forward the area feels cramped.
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this isnt your Moms minivan....... - 2007 Honda Odyssey
By kingfish - December 29 - 8:00 pmI am single still for a little bit longer and have no kids , but have a lot of friends. I drive an 96 accord sedan with 216k miles and still running strong, well it only sit 4 comfortably and when we ALL go out, we always end up driving several cars, Well with this new van We can pile them in no problem.
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Great car!!!! - 2016 Honda Odyssey
By Mcopolla - December 29 - 4:37 pmThanks for Andrew the salesman, We Got a deal in your new car Odyssey Touring, we love it.
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Dont do it - 2014 Honda Odyssey
By Jignesh patel - December 23 - 6:34 pmI Head Honda OdYssey 2006 excellent great I loved it and I bought new 2014 this vehicle is not worth the money too much headache too much trouble I would not recommend anyone to purchase this vehicle I have one and I want to sell it , Im going with Toyota
