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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  Love to drive my Odyssey! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Tom - August 27 - 8:23 pm

  Have had my new Odyssey for a bit now and found it is one of the best vehicles I have EVER driven in. It drives like a luxury sedan!

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  Best Minivan in the Market - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Vu - August 27 - 3:50 pm

  This is the best minivan you can buy. Minivans used to be all about practical and boring. Get an Odyssey with leather and youll feel like youre driving an Acura MDX rather than a hulking people mover.

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  Buy an Odyssey! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By agammon - August 23 - 10:00 am

  After a great deal of research, we concluded that the Odyssey was simply the best value. To get the quality with any other minivan, one would need to spend an additional $10K. And you still wouldnt have the reliability of a Honda. The interior is plain, but I always found that more buttons mean more things to break. Further proof is how the Odysseys retain their value. At the time of our research, it would cost more to buy a used Odyssey than order a new one. I love my Odyssey and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off!!

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  powerfull fun to dr van - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By marc culbert - August 6 - 10:00 am

  rides very well, and handles good.

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  Very happy w/ my Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By mullins4 - August 4 - 9:53 pm

  Have 200 miles on my Touring Odyssey and love it so far! Great features for the kids---DVD is wonderful! Navigation requires some experimentation but is very handy. Overall design is very user-friendly and well-planned. Getting about 21-22 MPG... better than my Expedition! Would improve on some things but it is a great vehicle... quite expensive but you get a lot for the money. Got mine for about 5% over invoice... so they are dealing... did all dealing over the net and did $500 better than in person at my local dealership. Drove 2 hours to get the color and model I wanted but was definitely worth it! Dont let the dealers push the silver & red, those seem to be the most plentiful. Drives great!!!

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  Great Van - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Navy Doc - July 30 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I have been Toyota owners (Camry & Previa) for the last 10 years. I was dissapointed for the overpriced 2004 Sienna. I contacted every Toyota dealer within 200-300 miles and none wanted to sell the car less that MSRP ($28,800) because "the vans were selling faster than they can keep them on the lot". I got more with the 2003 Honda Odyssey EX plus full nose cover and towing package for a total of $27,000 out the lot. The Honda dealer was very courteous and extremely helpful. I sold the Toyota Camry and got another Honda: Civic LX. You can get more for less by buying a Honda.

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  Best Choice Ever!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By A family - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This was our first choice of a mini-van and we love it! Its only been 3 weeks and weve put over a 1,000 miles on it. Everytime were on the freeway we cant even feel how fast were driving, its such a smooth ride!! We even looked at a 2004 Sienna that a friend just bought but the Odyssey seemed more spacious than the Sienna. Didnt get the DVD entertainment system, wasnt worth the money ($1,500)especially for a 5 in. screen.

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  Over paid Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By JaeP - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Nice vehicle, wish it was quieter. I rented a 02 sienna the last year for a trip and could talk without raising my voice. Over rough roads, pretty noisy. I even had $1200 soundproofing done but it needs to be designed from the ground up. This on top of $1000 over list.

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  best of the best - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By c_marshall - July 30 - 10:00 am

  incredible power, great erfonomics, unbelievable ride.

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  One Great Car - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By PSINGER - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had Hondas for 26 years and this is my 2 Odyssey.Drives smoothly with lots of room for luggage and/or groceries.Handles very well.I live in Florida during the winter so I cant give any ratings as to how the Odyssey handles on ice/snow.I will continue to get the Odyssey again and again.GREAT CAR.on a basis of 0 to 10,Id give it a 10.