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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  Lies.... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Saiyan - June 9 - 9:40 am

  Quieter cabin, better fuel economy... ALL LIES!! After only 18k miles, Im selling it. The road noise is unbearable. Apparently, the ECO thing doesnt work, causes a major droning noise at 65 mph. Fuel economy is 16/24 at best. I will never buy another honda van. The navigation doesnt give accurate travel times, all of which are based on an avg. speed of 60 mph!!! Then, one day, the A/C stopped working. I bring it to the dealer. Before even looking at it, the mechanic says "I hope it is not a rock in the condenser." When on the lift, it was the condenser. Extremely poor design. The gaps in the grill are so big, it is insane. Look at German cars, even the economy ones like jettas.

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  Dissapointed Overall - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Got Poor MPG? - June 8 - 8:46 pm

  14,000 miles so far & MPG is crap, all highway driving, no matter how fast or type of terrain no better than 21, far cry from 28 on sticker. Going in tomorrow for power steering issues & transmission that is slow to respond when starting out. Had problems several problems with an 05 so traded it for an 07, should have traded for a Domestic. Honda should be held responsible for the misrepresentation of the gas mileage!

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  Sold on Odyssey - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By John63 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Just completed 879 miles from Dallas to Atlanta in one day. My average speed was about 80, with prolonged periods of 90-100MPH. Flawless performance. The interior room is amazing compared to Windstar (a recent vacation rental). The Honda can handle 6 people and their luggage to the airport, the Ford could not. Concern: Our Odysseys tranny had to be replaced after 18 months. Under slightly uphill loads the tranny hummed/squealed (almost un- identifiable), it took the Honda tech almost 20 minutes of me pointing it out until he recognized it. They replaced it under the warranty, no questions.

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  Over rated..over valued, noisey ! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By koolcat - June 4 - 10:00 am

  2002 EX.Great Pickup and Room! Apart from that, there is nothing good about this minivan. 28000 is too much for the quality of this minivan. Horrible music system. Problems with automatic doors. Vibrations in Steering wheel. Very high road noise. Drivers seat unstable. Poor braking. This MINIVAN IS BEEN OVERATED. NO WHERE NEAR HONDA STANDARDS. Owned a civic for 4 yrs.. no problems. This one, right from the word go is having problems. Cannot believe that Honda and make such a poor quality vehicle. Had to find another dealer to fix the problems as the buying dealer would not fix it.

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  Better than all the rest - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By George - June 2 - 12:23 pm

  I drove Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, Ford, and Honda. I chose the Odyssey based on performance and price. The only problem I had is I had to wait 100 days for delivery after purchase.

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  Honda the best - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Allymcbeer@aol.com - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I had to decide between Toyota and Honda an for the EX model I purchased with Honda I got a lot more features than I would have with Toyota

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  Honda - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By steve ballou - May 30 - 2:34 am

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  Little less than expected - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By cvb - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Had a Civic. Ran for 250,000 carefree miles. Odyssey is comfortable and roomy. Problems: ~ Has constant knock. Dealer says Honda only wants us to use Chevron gas per internal memo. ~ Sliding door seals had to be replaced due to sticking. ~ Needed front brakes at 30,000 miles likely due to vehicle weight. Numerous brake sensor errors. ~ Various trim flaws requiring trips to dealer. ~ Pulls to the right but dealer swears it is due to the crown in the road. Uneven tire wear. ~ Rough shifting in certain situations. ~ Radio controls blocked by gear shift column.

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  My Honda Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Ken - May 28 - 8:30 am

  The thought and planning that went into building the 2005 Honda Odyssey just staggers the imagination. The van is so well thought out with the consumer in mind. Conveniences are everywhere. The comfort of the driver and passengers is an obvious essential criteria for the designers.

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  Better than Sienna - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Rockwall Man - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I spent 2 days at both the Toyota and Honda dealerships along with numerous hours of research and came to the following conculsion. The Odyssey is better than the Sienna. Why...overall value. Dont get me wrong, the Sienna was nice but it lost out when it came to price and extras. I worked hard to negotiate the best deal on comparable vehicles and found in the end that Honda offered more for your money. Handling was comparable as well as fuel effieciency and comfort. In the end, I got the Honda for $3000 less than the comparable Sienna. So dont give your money away to Toyota when you can have the best for less.