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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  Great Van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Les - August 16 - 1:13 am

  Traded in a 2003 with L/DVD. The amenities and redesign on the 2006 are excellent. Comfortable, roomy and reliable. This van will haul it all. Toyota loses to this one hands down. I will stick with Honda.

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  ideal minivan - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By mjabbar - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This is very comfortable, convenient, easy to drive, roomy, and powerful minivan. Kids love this car because they can get in and buckle up themself and have plenty of space for their toys etc.

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  2002 Odyssey - Happy the 2nd time - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By HappyLs - August 15 - 10:00 am

  After months on shopping for a reasonable price, finally purchased a 2002 Odyssey EX (NEW). On the way home, the engine light came on, returned to the dealer the next day and was told the transmission needed to be replaced. After frustrating discussions with the Dealer, eventually got a refund and refused to purchase from them again. Purchased another Odyssey online from a Dealer over 100 miles away and took delivery within 24 hours of purchase. LOVE this 2nd Odyssey with the EXCEPTION of a LOUD shifting noise it makes when you first start up the engine. Havent read anyone else with this problem. Currently have a dealer looking into this.

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  Amazing little van - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By Flopek - August 14 - 9:28 am

  We bought our Odyssey over 3 years ago with the addition of a new family member (with 5 you have to make the jump to a "mom mobile" or SUV). We didnt have the budget for anything too fancy, but when we came across a used 96 Odyssey, we were sold after simply looking at it and test driving compared to all the other vans we were looking at. At the time it had 95K, and weve put an additional 30k. Very reliable.I changed the timing belt as a precaution. Ive simply changed the oil and put good gas in it, no cheap swamp gas stations. I replaced the rear shocks and exhaust manifold since they finally failed after 13 years of service. Repairs less than $200-$400 when I do it myself, very easy.

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  Honda 2008 Odyssey Ex-L RES & NAV - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By mbickles - August 13 - 7:46 pm

  We have had the van for close to a month now and it is everything we expected. The navigation system is not the best, but the screen that comes with it makes everything else easier to read/see. The navigation itself is always giving us the "easiest route" not the most economical one. The leather interior is so worth it and the speaker system is just fine. We paid $31,800 total (plus the 6% Indiana sales tax) and used an internet quote to get the price down to where we were happy. The gas mileage was the biggest negative, but we get about 17/21

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  Poor Transmission Quality - Buyer Beware - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Jeremy - August 13 - 12:37 pm

  After 88K miles, the transmission started slipping dangerously while my wife was driving with our two young children on the highway. Although the vehicle was serviced appropriately by a Honda dealer, so far, American Honda has been unable to provide any assistance on fixing the $5600 repair that I was quoted. Apparently, you need to have purchased 7-8 Hondas before they are willing to help, not spent $70K on Hondas over the last decade as I have done. Unless you want to have to pay for costly repairs to a 6 year old car with relatively low miles, avoid this vehicle (and all V6 models between 1999 and 2005) because there is a known defect with their transmissions.

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  Transmission Issues TOO! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By jennybecky - August 12 - 11:36 am

  I purchased in July 2009 a used 2007 Honda Odyssey with 30k miles on it. After driving for two weeks, realized it has vibrations and skipping from the transmission. Will NOT keep a constant speed and vibrates at 40mph. It had no prior warranty claims and clean carfax. Love the van, but I have a transmission on order and havent even made the first payment. Thank God for warranty! If we continue to have problems, we will seek help from the dealer to get us out of it. Honda needs to recognize this problem. I am sick to my stomach but thankful for the Certified warranty...it is covered til 100k miles.

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  Good but not great - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By skip miller - August 12 - 2:20 am

  electronics in the way of trip meter, digital readouts of computer system is very very limited all you really get is an estimated MPG readout, no elapsed time or average speed or trip information on start engine to stop the engine on a trip. Trip mileage is the same as ti was on my 2001 Chevy pick up truck. There is no way to program what you want to see out of the computer and sensors. The front arm rest are not adjustable there are only a couple of preset positions none of which suit me or my wife. the power seats only go up and down they do not tilt the seat bottom and they are angled just a little to much to the back for my bad back. The analog speedometer and tachometer are white numerals on a light silver background and are hard to see during the day and there is no digital MPH readout only analog. Ride is great, gas mileage is OK. Also i hope you like some shade of silver or black or white because that is the only color that was on the three dealers lots we looked at. All in all not sure why I went ahead and bought the Odyssey!

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  Bad tires, noise problems and hesitation - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By JPC - August 11 - 8:58 am

  I have gotten 30, 000 miles on the "no flat" tires by driving longer than I should. $1200 to replace. Car hesitates at 60 - 65 mph. Dealer says this is normal. Air noise is bad in the car. Brakes have been replaced twice. They finally got it right at my expense. The gas mileage is no better than 14 mpg in town driving. I have owned many Hondas and this is the first one that has been a total bad experience.

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  Excellent except transmisison - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Dave - August 11 - 8:11 am

  We bought this van early in 07 with between 70 and 80,000 miles. It was really clean and nice. It drives and handles nice. However just a couple weeks ago while driving on the highway the transmission started acting up. We took it in to get checked out and now we have to rebuild the transmission and hand over another 3 thousand dollars. I was very disappointed -definitely not what I expected from a Honda and for the year, mileage and price we paid for it, this should not be happening. Only other complaint is the sliding doors. They are slow and cant be stopped midway. If the electric is off for some reason or the doors are stuck they are very, very hard to operate.