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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  WOW !!! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By timm85 - December 14 - 10:46 pm

  We looked and test drove all the competition, and we chose this van because of all the little things they added to this van. Things you wouldnt normally think of, they have it covered. Then the resale should keep us able to keep trading every couple of years. Thanks Honda

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  Time To Sell - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Matt T - December 10 - 1:33 pm

  Great family vehicle. Plenty of room for all. 3rd row is a great option to have and its easy to work with laying seats into floor. Front seats could be more comfortable. Fairly thin on padding. Leather appears cheap and hard since day one. Could be better insulated from road noise - DO NOT BUY IF THE MODEL HAS RUN FLAT TIRES. I am irritated at Honda for the decisions on tires but will probably buy another Honda (Pilot) based on value.

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  Fonda 1995 Honda Odyssey - 1995 Honda Odyssey
  By Honda Mom - December 8 - 7:49 am

  I bought this Odyssey in 1995 with 35k miles. In 2009 it has 240k miles. It has been a great car for my family on long trips, commuting, and car pooling with the extra pop up seats in back. My husband regularly changes the oil. Only normal wear and tear problems, nothing major. I love this car/van. No slider doors for me. I really wish Honda had stuck with the model the way it was. So much room in the back to move stuff. I love it so much Im going to make 300,000! WHY did Honda have to change it? It was perfect to begin with.

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  Great Van- Best of Class - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By dinky - December 7 - 6:20 am

  Great van! I love the center seat in the 2nd row so that all 3 of my kids in carseats can sit together! Ive had it for over a year now- it has had about 5 recalls and had to have the regulator in the driver side sliding door replaced so that the window would roll down- overall- still a great van! Highly recommend!

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  Great for 5 Need more power points - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Gil P. - December 6 - 8:06 pm

  Have driven 18K in a year. From the midwest, have gone to NYC, Chicago, Disney, and many other few hour trip. Awesome vehicle, 2nd one owned, traded in Pilot when family became 5. The use of space is terrific. MPG is as expected. The only downside is the features and innovation have seemed to plateaued. Also, to make space for the Ipod jack, they took away a lighter/power point. This leaves two for the EX-L. And when you have 3 kids, all who want to watch or play some form of entertainment on a 8 hour trip... recipe for fighting. Other than that, Odyssey is the best family vehicle going.

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  Honda Quality isnt what it used to be! - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Angela - December 6 - 6:45 am

  After loving my 2005 Odyssey for almost 12 years I decided it was time to update. I didnt put a lot of time into research because I knew what I wanted. Well you know what they say about assuming. I assumed that the new Odyssey would be as good if not better than my last version; I was unfortunately wrong. First, the only way I could get both Navi & Rear Entertainment is to upgrade to a Touring; even though that combination used to be available on the EX-L. Fine, I can upgrade. I will start with the changes I find inconvenient. There are at least 4 cup holders missing; 2 in the front that used to pop down from bottom of the dash and the two on the sides of 2nd row seats. There is no good spot for kids in the second row to put their drinks. The tray on the center console is very shallow; it is not even deep enough to hold a stack of mail. There is a large storage box in the center console now, but it is so deep it is not realistic to go digging in there while you are driving; and to open it up means you cant store anything on the top tray. There is now only one glove box, rather than two; I found the little glove box was just right for registration and insurance cards, now just throw them in the big hole. The hidden compartment in the floor of the second row is now gone. With the old version of the rear entertainment system, it was one button push to control it from the front; that is not the case in the new version. The entire menu / control system is very difficult to use; no longer a quick touch but now you must dial and toggle and dial some more, and then go find the button to push. Fortunately my kids are now big enough to control it from the back but I dont think it would be doable with younger children (which surprisingly was the big selling point over the Toyota when I bought my first one). It is nice to be able to synch your phone and you can even voice tag your most used contacts. Only problem is that the voice tags dont seem to work, it actually brings up every person with a J in their name except for the one I want, even though that person is my number one favorite. Now for the more serious concerns. The windshield had a very bad distortion, so much so that I had a headache the entire day after I drove it to work. Imagine wearing someone elses glasses or looking through a fish bowl; that was the effect. Every person I had get in the driver seat saw it (except those at the dealer). Now today, the first time I use the windshield wipers because it rained, the passenger side wiper arm pops off while I am driving. I have only had the car for about 10 days, but if this an indication of Hondas quality I am concerned.

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  What problems? - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Christina H. - December 4 - 3:26 pm

  Since the time I purchased my van Ive NEVER had a single problem! When the recall for the transmissions second gear came up I took it in for repair immediately and its run perfectly ever since. No lights came on unexpectedly, doors worked fine every time Ive always kept up with oil changes and yearly tune-ups only invested in new brakes at 95,000 mi. (which was to be expected because I have a tendency to brake hard.)

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  Oil -20 mpg - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Oil - 20mpg - November 30 - 11:18 pm

  Getting 22Mpg freeway, 19 mixed. Having oil consumption, quart every 4000 miles. Rear heating core heats rear passenger storage above rear wheel.

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  Too many Problems - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By MonicaT - November 30 - 1:00 pm

  This van has had more problems than all of the Hondas Ive owned combined. The motor mounts, catalytic converter, torque converter, struts, steering fluid pump all had to be replaced and my current mileage is 69,000. Very disappointed and will be trading it in, since the warranty has expired and will probably become a money pit.

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  My first 18 months - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By scottinky - November 29 - 8:08 am

  Took out a lease on this 2008 EX-L after trying the large SUV route. This is by far the most practical vehicle I have ever owned. The interior is well laid out, but materials could be better. Engine is responsive and smooth. Ride, even in the third row is comfortable. My kids love the DVD player. My wife and I love the ease of entry and exit. Despite my ego issues with driving a van and having had the opportunity to dump out of it early and go back to a cheaper SUV, I just couldnt do it. Dealer service has been excellent in dealing with the transmission problem and the noise issues. All have been fixed. Hopefully I wont have any more issues to deal with, just gas and tires.