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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  Reliability stinks - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By KellyM - February 5 - 6:43 am

  I have never wrote a review before, but this one deserves it. I have had nothing but problems from day one with this Honda. Nav. will not work. Seats heaters smell like they are burning inside. Will not start in the cold or rain. Brakes squeak. Been in for service six times for a total of 38 days. Service at the dealership STINKS!

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  WOW - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Gramma of 2 - February 3 - 10:40 am

  No minivan for me. I am a gramma raising 2 young boys. I needed a minivan but my heart wanted a sportscar. Sigh. The minivan won. The Honda is fantastic. The comfort supreme. The features amazing. With the moonroof open I still can pretend that it is a sportscar! It is fun to drive, the kids love the DVD player and I love the music options. All the cup holders I could drem about... storage everywhere, quiet, smooth, leather, what is not to like???? The nav will come in handy on trips. LOVE IT!!!!

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  A New Benchmark... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By INACA - February 2 - 9:13 pm

  Outstanding performance, never considered a mini-van until now, it has the style and power to be more than a family car. I will consider this over many SUV. The safety features are extra- ordinary; 6 airbags, ABS, Stability Assistance, Pedestrian protection, Unibody.... they just didnt stop in satey at all. Interior, without question the Navi- System in the market (yes!, better than Lexus, BMW and other top contenders. Great materials and space improvement (how is that no wheelbase change but interior increased by 2 long and 1 wide inches). Reliabilty, well.... we all know how Hondas are. Odyssey... the best mini-van is back.

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  Storage, storage, storage!! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By dog show enthusiast - February 2 - 11:43 am

  We bought our Honda after looking at the top three rated this year - Toyota, Honda, Kia. The Toyota didnt have as much bang for the buck as the Honda, not as many creature comforts. The Kia has terrible depreciation, so would have to have a big-time Gap Insurance, and is cheap looking. The Odyssey has been great. Weve taken it to 3 dogs shows, tons of room for crates, grooming supplies, luggage with room to spare. Comfortable ride and GREAT mileage! It gets much better mileage than my little Malibu,and theres hardly any road noise! Weve owned the big Dodge custom vans, a Ford Aerostar etc., so were not newcomers to the van market.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Saun - January 30 - 2:56 pm

  I was disappointed with many of the features of the 2006 Honda Odyssey, esp the fuel, the window EPA 19-26 was the selling point I used, I have never gotten over 19 and that is open freeway driving. There is a lot of road noise while driving. The dash features are very complex and distracting while trying to drive and adjust temp settings etc. I found the A/C very slow to cool and the heat very difficult to regulate, it should not be this complex. Overall ride is very nice just too many bells and whistles and terrible gas consumption in this day and age when ecomony is a huge point of consideration. It has performed over all very well with very little problems as far as mechanics.

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  Honda odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By TGRIFFITH - January 28 - 4:06 am

  This vehicle is far and above any other minivan that i have owned, namely the nissan quest. It drives like a small luxury car, but hauls like an suv. It has almost to the inch, the interior hauling space that my ford expedition had. It is very easy to see out of. It has lots of pickup, the nissan was sluggish. It has full size seats that are very comfortable.

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  Odyssey my Odyssey - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Paas - January 24 - 12:40 am

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  finally a minivan worth bying - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By george - January 23 - 6:06 am

  I Love cars. I own several ... My new addition is the Honda odyssey Touring with Navigation and in one word it is becoming one of my favorites: Steering is impressive, power - wow, luxury and a navigation that put all the others to shame. I was going to buy the Sienna till I drove the honda. I felt the steering and the performance was remakably better, ie, NO COMPARISON.

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  By far the best on the road - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By TKofColorado - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I am quite surprised to hear so many have problems with their van. Our 2000 LX has performed without a glitch. I couldn’t be more pleased to drive this van. I’ve driven vans from Dodge, Ford, Mazda, and Chev. All don’t hold a candle to this van— especially the loose-goose Dodge.

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  Not bad for a van - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By R Van Siclen - January 21 - 10:00 am

  This is our second van. The first was a Dodge Caravan, still rolling after 118K, so no complaints. But the Odyssey is tighter in turns, much more stable at speed, much more fun to drive, much easier to drive many miles a day, and so far has not even hicupped much less caused any problems.