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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  Is the Odyssey Now Built by Ford? - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By littlechicago - January 18 - 11:37 pm

  My 2007 Odyssey is my third after an excellent 1995 and a very good 2003. The 2007 is a pig on fuel: 12 mpg in town, 24 on the highway. Never have I been able to break the 30 mpg barrier, no matter how hard I try. The interior materials are so soft they mar just by looking at them. I doesnt start like a new vehicle. The climate control system never seems to work right. The two previous Odysseys would maintain a comfortable 22 degrees, winter or summer. I am constantly adjusting the 07 to try and get something resembling comfort. The windows sporadically roll down as the spirit spirit moves... Since Ford isnt building their own van, has Honda out-sourced the Odyssey to them?

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  Great experience - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By PA Vet - January 12 - 8:36 am

  Decided to buy the LX as everyone else was buying the EX model, leaving LXs on the lot. Didnt want the electric doors as I saw that as something that could go wrong. The van has never let us down, gets great mileage, and is comfortable enough. Honda replaced the EGR valve and transmission based on technicians recommendation during normal maintenance. Since the transmissions replacement mileage went up from 24 mpg to 27 mpg on the highway. Otherwise just routine maintenance. Weve kept it simply because of what it can haul, sheets of plywood and more important my kids junk to and from college. Since buying this weve bought 3 more Hondas, but have kept the van for its utility.

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  oil consumption - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By 2010OdysseyOil - January 9 - 8:54 pm

  I purchased the 2010 odyssey van in august 2009 and it consumed 2.5 quarts of oil in the first 4500 miles. I took it to the dealer and they stated the consumption rate is normal and I didnt believe it for a second. We proceeded to do an oil consumption test which was performed in an unscientific manner after the oil was changed and topped off to the required 4.5 quarts (another story unto itself) and roughly 2k miles later it burned another quart. The dealer stated honda corp has a service bulletin out to tear the engine apart if it consumes one or more quarts per thousand miles. I would have never paid 35k for a vehicle which eats oil at this rate. Honda Corp needs to initiate a recall.

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  Good car/bad car - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By ski_momma3 - January 7 - 7:35 am

  We bought this car new in 1/06 and this is officially my last day of ownership! Our family of 5 finds the interior very comfortable and roomy (weve dubbed it the traveling living room). Its been reliable mechanically but is a bit quirky. The steering noise at low speeds (which our Honda dealer "cant hear") has annoyed me from day 1. The braking distance is unsafely long and has not improved with a complete brake job. I feel like I almost have to stomp on them to get the car to stop. The sliding doors have been finicky and the tracks easily get warped with kids coming in/out. When this happens, we have to turn the auto off and the doors are heavy for manual operation.

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  Good, Bad and Ugly Part II, or III - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By wen - January 6 - 4:58 pm

  This is our second Odyssey, so we are a fan! But it has its flaw too. Although I love my van, tires seem to wear very fast, I was told there has been numerous people complaining about it, then it was the rear engine mount that I had to replace today, $700, ouch!!! Expensive part, and I dont recall ever had to replace engine mount in any other of my vehicles, two of which were mini van. Then, along with the tires, it was the alignment, because tires were wearing different even though I was good at rotating them, I am wondering if there is anything to do with alignment ability.

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  The worst car and service ever - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Annie - January 5 - 9:35 pm

  I love my Odyssey, but it started having transmission problems within 12k miles. I went to have the transmission replaced in Boise after moving (The dealer in Los Angeles told me it was under warranty)and Boise refused. Later Honda corporate refused the repair. So much for a "warranty". I will never buy from Honda again. Given the initial price and subsequent repairs/tires, I would say a 2002 Odyssey isnt worth the price to have it junked. Given the perpetual check engine light and TCS light, I have a mind to abandon it at Honda Corp.

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  A Mixed Bag - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By AGS - January 5 - 12:13 pm

  Bought the Odyssey while stationed overseas and brought it home with high hopes and initial satisfaction. While cavernous, easy to drive, powerful and full of many great features such as power doors and dual air, reliability is becoming a concern as it reaches 80K miles. Paint has peeled twice and dealers have not been receptive to repairing the damage in our area. Left sliding door continuously needs grease to quiet the chatter. Oil changes are a bear. A/C filter changes, too. CD player died. Clocks light went dark. CD and clock are very expensive to replace. Overall, a disappointment cant recommend it any longer and wont be buying another Honda :( This is a "Monday" car, for sure.

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  Great Minivan - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By DaveA - January 3 - 7:21 pm

  Yeah, its a minivan. But...if what you want is solid reliability and flexibility, then the Odyssey delivers. I have had mine since new in late 1999 and it has only been to the shop once over 130,000 miles for a timing belt. Thats it. I have used Mobil 1 and been careful to keep up with the maintenance, which is very little other than fluids, battery, plugs and brake pads. I am going to buy another Odyssey if my 10 year old one ever decides to conk out.

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  Great car - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Rifat - January 2 - 4:11 pm

  This is my second Honda Odyssey, first one 2002-2008, it is a great van, fun to drive, smooth, good fuel economy, strong and dependable, I drove the van from Cincinnati to Chicago with family of 5 and infant in a car seat, carrying 10 luggages, no problems at all, navigation needs update, dvd is excellent, wish if awd is available. This van worth every Penny.

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  mice invasion - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By virginia nichols - January 2 - 9:40 am

  I recently purchased the 2005 Honda odessy from my sun, this is the second odessy that I owned prev a 2001. Love the vehicle only problem is mice like to eat the electrical harness. My 2001 had the same problem and by the Honda dealers info this is a common problem. I love Hondas and hopefully your designers would invent something to keep this from happening. Like putting a screen around the harness. This is very frustrating and I use my car every day, and the car is in a garage. Please, please answer my question on how to prevent this from happening again.