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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watch out before you buy 2018 odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
By Imran - July 25 - 6:44 amI just bought 2018 odyssey less then 1000miles and my rear entertainment system stop working and went to dealer and find out software problem and honda cannot fix it until they have new update software so I was upset because its not my fault honda has to replace with new RES but they are not so please before you buy make sure it works and its not only mine there so many people having same issues....Go to Odyssey forum and you will find details..
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A Perfect 10!! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By JPF - July 21 - 10:33 amPerfection. We had a 1999 Odyssey. Honda made all of the improvements you could think of. This van is awesome. My wife will not switch with me. She was thinking of ditching the van concept but not now. Honda is a great car - van - company!!!
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The Right Hammer - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By dandelg - July 19 - 10:00 amMy wife and I are both gearheads but with 3 young kids, we had to choose the practical solution. The Odysseys interior design is clever and hits all the notes required by an active young family. The stereo is excellent, the nav system is easy to use and incredibly helpful. The DVD doesnt block the rear view mirror and the rear camera is outstanding. The ride is firm but smooth and solid. It corners flat with minimal sway and it is deceptively quick while remaining quiet and unruffled. It has outstanding gas mileage for a minivan. The Odyssey is no VFR Interceptor, but it is an amazing blend of thoughtful interior layout, excellent handling dynamics, and acceptable power.
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Gas guzzler - 2007 Honda Odyssey
By steve - July 18 - 2:13 pmTraded in our 2004 Odyssey for the 2007 version. Love the improvements in design of rear seats, driver seat, electric 12 v.outlets and usage of space.
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Great Car!!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
By steveo - July 17 - 2:00 amI love this car
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Great Car!!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
By Steveo - July 17 - 2:00 amI love this car
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Thank you for thinking of the tall guys - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By Larry - July 14 - 9:33 amFinally someone thought about the long legged guys.....lots of leg room, head room. Iin plain words, sit in one, close the door and just feel how great this vehicle feels to you as a tall person.
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best van to drive - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By todd - July 6 - 2:40 amif you want a safe for ur family u want this van and nothing else i dive this van to work and home and get the best gas mileage in the world i cant believe i wasted all that money on a full size ford van i love my honda....
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x - 2016 Honda Odyssey
By K L Stutzman - July 6 - 12:10 amThen second row of seats behind the driver are hard and on back roads the ride is very rough. The driver front seats are ok The tail seats are hard to get into. I have no idea how they ride.
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I hated the thought of a minivan... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By Kim, Lansdale PA - July 5 - 9:20 pmI have to tell you that I owned a luxury station wagon before owning this Honda Odyssey. I fought it tooth and nail as I never thought I could be caught dead in a mini van. This car has surpassed any expectation that I have ever wanted! I have not had one problem in over a year, my children LOVE it and I have to say, I do too! This minivan is so much more than a mini van, it fits our very busy life style and I cannot see ever going back to spending BIG bucks on the luxury cars we used to buy to get so little in return. (We use to have a Mercedes wagon-just in case you were wondering) Their new mini van does not come anywhere close to what the Honda can provide. Go out and buy one!
