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:

• 

  Nice !! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By JayandJulie - September 20 - 2:00 am

  The Odyssey is fabulous. The salesman was wonderful. I cant think of anything I would change about either the product or the entire purchasing experience. Thank you so much. I will never drive anything other than a Honda.

• 

  Odyssey is awesome - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Julie Bruechert - September 19 - 10:16 pm

  We really like driving our Odyssey. It is very comfortable, and our family of four feels a sense of luxury because of how roomy it is. Midnight blue is an excellent color for this van.

• 

  I like the GMC Acadia Better - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By MinivanMama - September 19 - 1:43 pm

  My husband talked me into buying a minivan because it would be more economical. Out of all of the minivans we test drove the Honda Odyssey was the best, with the Toyota Sienna in a close second. However if you are wanting an economical car with good gas mileage do not buy this van. There is many cool features such as the rear view camera, Rear Entertainment Center, the fact that you can open and close the doors and hatch. But overall I do not think it is worth the money. Therefore we took it back and are getting the GMC Acadia. Seriously check the Acadia out I think it is the best crossover on the market.

• 

  2005 Odyssey EXLoveIt!!! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Markrenee - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Researched the other minivans in all the magazines and online articles I could find. Most of them rated the 2004 Odyssey either the best or a close second. Based on that, I knew the 2005 rating should only get better. Although I didnt test drive the competitors, I feel that I got the most for my money with this one. I paid $1K less than MSRP. The insurance costs are lower than my other cars (Symbol 6). I am very happy with my decision and would recommend this car to others. One of the Edmunds reviewers said that Honda does their homework. I think he is right.

• 

  honda van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By charlie - September 18 - 8:56 am

  I just traded my 07 van. The in town economy is 16 mpg. The road noise was more than my 02 [same van]. Highway economy, great [26 mpg] the van had 6500 miles when traded. Both bought new. Window sticker said 19 mpg in town

• 

  We love our new minivan!!!! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By DTW - September 18 - 5:47 am

  Downsized from a 2002 suburban due to poor mpg and costly repairs and wanted something smaller than a boat to drive every day shuttling kids around town but yet still have enough cargo room to haul our stuff to frequent soccer tournaments. We really love our new minivan!! Have two boys - tall teenager and a 10 year old that need lots of leg/head room and the second row seats are WAY MORE comfortable than the suburban since the seats can recline all the way back to third row. The kids actually prefer to take the minivan over the suburban when we go to tournaments!! Cargo space, fuel economy and comfort were tops on my list of must haves for our new car and the Odyssey has them all!!!

• 

  Lemon, will not honor warranty - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By cawood - September 17 - 11:40 am

  Van drives like a truck. Bad front end. New tires did not help. Dealership just makes excuses. Brakes squeak and factory rep and dealership say to read the owners manual and it will say you may have squeaky brakes. They will not correct them. Owners manual comes after the purchase. How dumb is that?

• 

  Long Term Review - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Rich - September 16 - 9:24 pm

  The Odyssey bought new in 08 has 27K. I posted previous reviews. Additional comments to previous posts are the brake feel could be improved. Mileage improved to 30 mpg on several trips using 91 octane, non ethanol gas, speed 60 -65 mph. 28MPG has been seen many times. In the suburbs mileage is 21 - 23, Keep acceleration RPM at 2000 vs jack rabbit starts. The van has had no repairs except for a minor issue with the glove compartment door becoming misaligned due to a screw.

• 

  i love my car - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Zhirong Wang - September 16 - 6:23 pm

• 

  Lindy Lou - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Lindy Lou - September 16 - 11:31 am

  My odyssey is 2 weeks old. About 1000 miles. Absolutely love it. Pleasure to drive. Gas mileage appears to be very good. Traded in my 2002 odyssey. The 02 was a great van. 180000 miles. Nothing major. I highly recommend the 2016 Odyssey