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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  Wont buy another Honda!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By js114 - June 11 - 7:35 am

  I purchased this brand new and at first I did not want a minivan, but Ive found I like the convenience of it. Now I absolutely cant stand it, the passenger side door rattles. At first it sounded like a marble. They took the door apart and wrapped everything, it was gone for a few months, now its a new rattle and now the other door has started. Its bad when your 4 year old says, "mommy my door is rattling again." You cant even turn up the radio to drown it out. Its only a year old and I want to get rid of it. I wish I never got rid of my 4Runner. Dealer says hes never heard of this problem. After reading the reviews, it sounds very common.

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  Love the van, hate the tires - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Texan - June 10 - 6:39 pm

  Dont buy one with PAX tire system. Class action lawsuit against Honda in process. Tires wear out between 20K- 25k. Expensive to replace. Can only be done at authorized location, which is usually Honda dealer. No spares. Ours went flat traveling on Sunday and had to stay over until next day when Honda opened. New tire cost $298, because old could not be fixed (only 16k miles on it). Hotel cost $100. Honda said so sad, too bad. We are going to get rid of ours even though, it is a great van. Dont want to get stranded in middle of nowhere.

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  Would have bought something w/fewer prob - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Anderson 5 - June 3 - 3:23 am

  I always wanted a Honda odyssey, so when I was finally able to own one I was ecstatic. Now I wish I had bought something different. I have had the whistling noise fixed three times. I have had the brakes fixed three times starting at 7,000 miles and now at 34,000 miles they are starting to grind again. I just had them replaced a third time a month ago. Everytime I bring it in for service there is a recall. I also had to have the dvd screen replaced because it kept darkening. All in all, it has been a very disappointing experience. I wont buy an Odyssey again. May be I will buy a Sienna next time.

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  Happy with Honda - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By vanman - June 1 - 8:13 pm

  Needed to respond based on the reviews of some grouchy drivers not happy with their Odysseys. Have had my Odyssey since new. Very little trouble (125k mi). Good power when needed, but decent gas mileage (18-20) for a people mover. With 4 growing boys, have thought about moving up to a Yukon XL. Nothing against the GMC but there are a ton of used ones for sale. Not many used Odysseys. People are happy with them and keep them.

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  One Year With The Odyssey EXL-Navi - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Rich - June 1 - 12:49 pm

  A follow-up review from our first month of ownership. My wife and I bought the van for long trips. Using 91 octane at 60-65 mph we average 27-28 MPG. Mileage in town 21 MPG using a light foot on the accelerator. Combined mileage about 22-23. Very comfortable on long trips. Navi great, seats great, maneuverability great for van, entry/exit seat height great, noise control OK, front suspension OK, mileage better than SUV, exterior looks great, gauge legibility great, headlight projection great, dash design dated (think JDM), interior plastic too cheap. Upgrade the 2010 interior plastic to match the 2009 Pilot.

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  Great Van, but... - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By First Odyssey - June 1 - 10:05 am

  We love our new Odyssey. We had good luck with our 2000 Grand Caravan but the Honda looked better this time. We have just a few minor issues though, the digital displays are all over the dash and look like they were borrowed from a ten dollar watch. The clock and climate control settings are hard to see when the sun is out, and theres no constant display of the odometer except as one of three or four display options with the trip computer. And, whats with no compass? The daytime running lights/headlights have confused me as I have an automatic headlight switch on my other vehicle.

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  Wish it had a quieter ride, but love the rest - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Habib - May 31 - 12:04 am

  We checked out the Sienna, Odyssey and Caravan. We felt that the Odyssey offered the best combination of handling (still not very good, but it is a van), interior layout, safety and resale value. Overall weve been very happy with the van in our first 15 months of ownership. The only thing that I would change if I could would be to add extra sound insulation in the wheel wells. Maybe its because we are in the PNW, but many of the roads here elicit massive tire noise inside the van. It gets really fatiguing to drive for distances on certain highways. Other than the tire noise, love the van. We went with the EX for power doors, but didnt want to spend all the extra money for leather in the EX-L. We get 26-27 mpg going 75mph on road trips over the mountains, only about 19-20 in day to day driving.

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  Tire pressure monitoring system - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By TPMSpain - May 30 - 12:40 am

  Purchased the van less than a week ago brand new from the dealer. The next day the TPMS light came on. Took it to the dealer and two attempts to repair it. At least they got the TPMS light to go off. The next day the light came back on. We have 160 miles on the van and 60 miles of that is "test drive" mileage from the tech attempting to repair it. Not the best customer support. We must take it back again this week for a 3rd attempt at repair. Not enjoying the van so far as it will be in the shop 2 of the 7 days we have owned it. Any TPMS stories or solutions out there?

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  One awesome minivan - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Greg Stewart - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I have driven many vehicles in the past, mostly cars but after test driving the honda oddessy I knew I had to own one. The oddessy is one awesome minivan, fun to drive and excelent road handling.

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  The truth about the Honda Oddyssey - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Alex Edgley - May 29 - 2:00 am

  The Honda Oddyssey is a great car. Its been 1400 miles and has cost us very little to operate. It gets excellent mpg and the seats are perfect for long trips. Its suprisingly compact engine propels it to 60 faster than any of its competitors. But chances are your not going to care about that much. Hondas legendary reliability is very present in the Oddyssey model. In the duration that we have had it nothing has fallen off or has needed repair. With a Suburban which has twice as many faults, you would spend twice the amount on gas, and you would have to live with the shame of tras