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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  Quality - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By need714 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought this van for me on our anniversary and I love it. So does my 2 year old. Especially the entertainment system. Honda is willing to deal and youll get all the bells and whistles if your willing to negotiate with them. Buy online through this website. Its the way to go. I really love this van and I dont have anything negative to say about it. Its a quality vehicle.

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  All we expected and more. - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By jack speers - April 3 - 3:14 am

  Dealership was honest and straight forward. Money off at year end!

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  Mini Giant - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Jack - April 1 - 7:12 pm

  Overall a great car... the interior noise is a little loud on the highway. The vacuum is not as great as they advertised... since I never bother to use them.

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  Test drive others first - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Kal - April 1 - 6:40 am

  I agree with the precious reviewer, the car is bouncy and you can feel every bump in the road, I did the same thing, I reduced the tire pressures but no use. I made the mistake of not test driving the others, do not believe the reviews they are biased I think, the Sienna drives much nicer, the Sedona has all the technology that the Odyssey does but at a lower price. The Odyssey has a better reputation but thats about it. What Honda needs to do is upgrade the Odyssey to an Acura Minivan, with Acura comfort and styling, it would really go along way. The difference in price between the EX-L and Touring Elite is not really worth it. No LED RDL is stupid. No LED headlight choice is also stupid. The LDW is very sensitive. Drives like a regular car so thats great. Honda Vac? who cares. Wide screen, a gimick. No panoramic roof offering. Dealers are stupid to deal with they are useless, just sell your damn cars direct better than a person spending hours dealing with tall white sales people. Bottom line, its a Minivan, a good hauler for kids but as soon as Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW figures out a way, the high end Sienna and Odyssey will be dead, I wish Tesla comes up with something so I can just buy direct.

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  The greatest minivan ever! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Dr. Effy Oz - April 1 - 12:20 am

  This was love at 1st sight. Its the most comfortable minivan we testdrove, with the best design of space. The ride is VERY comfortable. The vehicle is simply beautiful inside, with plenty of storage bins and smart rear seat folding.

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  Try one more - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By C-A-K - March 30 - 7:56 am

  We traded our 2002 Odyssey because we were getting our third transmission at 51,000 miles. Weve had other Hondas without problem so we decided to give it one more shot. So far so good, only 1,000 miles driven, and we love all the upgrades the 2005 has. The third row goes down without removing headrest, my wife loves the sunroof, I like the better mileage, the doors seem to work smoother, the illumination of the controls on the dash are cool, we like the layout of stereo and air controls better and definitely like having the controls on the steering wheel. For the money, I think we got a lot more with the 2005. Hopefully we got a better transmission.

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  Pretty Disappointed with Quality Decline of Honda - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By AJ - March 26 - 8:43 pm

  We replaced my wifes 2016 Honda Odyssey Touring a few months back for the all new 2018 Elite. We were having Transmission Issues at only 21K miles with the 16 and upon reading several online reviews and forums, found this to be more common than it should be. We initially picked up a new 18 EX-L as the options were pretty similar to our Touring and immediately started having issues with a couple of rattles that the dealer could not pinpoint after keeping the car for a week. Being that we only had it in our possession for 1 full day the dealer agreed to let me swap it for the Elite. Fortunately the rattles have not been an issue, but now we have a new problem. There is a rather severe popping from the front end when turning under power (i.e. into a parking spot, parking in driveway). We took it back to the dealer where they kept it for a week to replace the entire front/left strut assembly and coil. Picked it up and less than 30 minutes later when backing out of a parking spot and turning we heard the pop again. Its done this several times since and we are planning to take back to the shop once more. Also as other reviews have pointed out, the placement of the rear a/c vents is horrible if you have children in car seats. I cant believe Honda wouldnt think about this issue before removing the vents from the roof. Other than these problems, the new Odyssey drives great, is quiet and gets better mileage. The new electronics are a huge improvement as well. We love driving the new Odyssey, just very disappointed with the quality of our $47K van.

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  Its a great family van - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Afan - March 25 - 10:00 am

  The odyssey is a real quality vehicle that affords all the options you can imagine.

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  We are Honda drivers - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Carolyn - March 23 - 6:10 am

  Finally went back to Honda van because of good gas mileage for a van, rear comft seats that went into well; comfortable other seats, leather, moonroof, great driving ability for van class,and great hauling capability for two going-to-be retired couple,plus low platform and again comfort for the aging population. Also excellent design to see outside windows and to park. We had the original van,then went to a Nissan quest and then to the Villager Estate(mercury). We wanted to leave the seats in and have the back like an old fashion 70s station wagon but front comfort of a van. Honda filled the bill again. I have been driving a Honda Accord beginning in the early 90s. Love Honda drive, ride & interior.

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  Should have kept old one - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By datum - March 23 - 5:43 am

  Had a 2003 Odyssey and decided to upgrade to latest and greatest. It hasnt been too great yet...nagging problems. Have had back to dealer numerous times for little things that shouldnt happen! Had Key Fob replaced, radio reception poor, 3rd row seat bracket was bent upon delivery, and steering pulls to right (still not fixed to my satisfaction)