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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  Well built, horrible gas mileage - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By bob doyle - May 26 - 7:28 am

  My Odyssey is built very well, no problems through 25,000 miles. My complaint about the car though is the fuel mileage, its as bad as a huge SUV! Car gets 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway. Dealer first told me to wait for it to "break in", now he states its normal, wow! I am shocked and disappointed with the mileage. Beware if you buy this vehicle youll spend big bucks for fuel.

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  Very Disappointed - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By mandy - May 25 - 12:26 am

  We bought this vehicle thinking it got great gas mileage and because Hondas supposedly hold their value. We paid extra for the touring because we wanted the DVD and navigation. To start, the navigation needed to be updated but I was told the CD was $200, we passed on that. Then with 60,000 miles it started shifting back and forth from overdrive. We average 17 city/frwy and the ride is beyond loud. Then there was the topper: we needed tires, normally its not too big of a deal except that they are run flat tires that you can only get directly from a Honda dealer and they run $350 PER TIRE! Then we tried to trade it and was offered next to nothing. I will never buy a Honda again.

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  My Honda - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By JenJen - May 24 - 10:00 am

  NOT HAPPY WITH PAINT JOB!

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  SO FAR SO GOOD - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By hi808connex - May 24 - 10:00 am

  JUST GOT IT .....LOVIN IT

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  Please stop the rattles!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Sue - May 22 - 7:08 pm

  Have had the vehicle for 15 months with little to no problems. I did hit a deer on Thanksgiving Eve which did $2200 damage to car. Had repairs done through the dealership with no problems. My only real complaint with the car is the rattles! The passenger side slider sounds like it will rattle right off the hinges. Both sliders creek when coming to and pulling away from a stop. Very annoying! While the second row power down windows seem like a great feature, when the windows are open it sounds like Im driving with flat tires and the thumping in my ears is annoying. I dont have the second row windows down. Id much prefer the far back windows to vent open.

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  Never again - Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By never again - May 22 - 3:03 pm

  Bought this car brand new - thought it was such a life saver for twin babies. On the way home from the dealer some maintenance light comes on. Every time I turn around some warning/maintenance light comes. I have owned lots of other Hondas and maintenance was never an issue. I am surprised a maintenance light hasnt come on to maintenance the maintenance light for $500. Maintenance A, B what a piece of junk.

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  A Honda Lemon? - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Joei - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I switched to the Honda so that I could feel safe that my wife and children were in a dependable car. Three transmisions (within the first 30,000 miles), cooling system fix, four door handles, and a variety of other annoyances later, and I would not recommend this to ANYONE! The van looks good and drives nice, but not worth the worry. My wife has no sense of security.

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  Super Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By icydon62 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Never thought Id own a minivan and I fought this one but I relented, now I dont know how life is possible without one. Typical excellent Honda design and quality. Very quick and agile especially considering how large it is. My daughter loves the DVD--just wish shed watch something besides Winnie the Pooh.

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  The Good, the Bad, the Ugly - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By dk - May 21 - 4:19 pm

  The Good - performance, visibility, function and utility. Reasonably comfortable on long trips. The Bad - initial fuel mileage was poor and took close to 30,000 km before an appreciable difference was noticed compared to my 1992 Aerostar. Short carpet- tearing in rear well. At 43,000 km - power steering pump started making a growling nose was replaced. Bad road noise in mid to rear compartment of vehicle, even after under coating. Needs a better stereo system..no MP3. The Ugly - nothing yet.

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  Transmission problems! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By SandyG - May 21 - 8:27 am

  The van is surging or hesitating around 60 m.p.h. so we brought it into the dealer and said that is "normal" for the van. Said its the overdrive system and ECO saving gas. I just dont believe that and they also said every new Honda with O/D system will do this. Please, if anyone else is experiencing this and have actually had it fixed, please let me know or tell us what they did to fix the problem. Everything else is great about this van but I dont believe the surging is "normal". I just dont think they want to put a new transmission in it!