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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Satisfied so far - 2009 Honda Odyssey
By Happy Van Owner - February 15 - 7:38 pmI admit, no one buys a minivan for driving excitement, but Honda does a good job of making a vehicle whose main purpose is functionality seem fun to drive. It does everything we ask of it, and actually remains reasonably fun to drive. Mileage is pretty good, and park assist is a great help. Were really happy with it after 4 months of driving.
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A Very Nice Minivan - 2009 Honda Odyssey
By Shawkins22 - February 15 - 8:11 amSo far, a typical quality vehicle I expect from Honda. After 20 years of Civics, this is my first Honda Minivan and I love it! It is replacing a 1998 Sienna. The Odyssey is feature-rich and has good looks to boot. The rear entertainment system with headphones is a godsend. The dash is a bit intimidating at first, but every day we are learning how to use another feature. I was skeptical of the zone climate controls, but the are effective and work nicely.
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Im loving it - 2016 Honda Odyssey
By Kevin - February 15 - 3:06 amHandles like a sedan.
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Love it! - 2009 Honda Odyssey
By Chad - February 14 - 2:57 pmWe have had our Odyssey for two months and have 0 problems and love it. We had our second child in January and the Odyssey is wonderful for our boys. Overall quality has been excellent. Wouldnt own anything else after driving every mini-van available. Wish fuel economy would be better, but not a reason, not to drive it.
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Great people/cargo mover - 2009 Honda Odyssey
By bchris8906 - February 13 - 10:04 amSolid, comfortable, smooth, & sporty performance for a minivan. Quality of interior materials & design is top notch. Exterior, I think it is the best looking minivan on the market. If you have young children and you can get over the "soccer mom" image you will very satisfied with tis vehicle. It is the ideal people & cargo mover. The 2nd row seats can be removed very easily. The 3rd row fold down easily as well. The interior is roomy, even the third row is comfortable for adults. Not many crossovers can say that. 2nd row magic seat is for children. Gas mileage is impressive for such a large vehicle. It is easy to see why it is rated number one by so many professional reviewers.
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Road Tripper - 2003 Honda Odyssey
By twman - February 13 - 2:00 amThe van definitely drives like a van, but that is ok, because that is what it is. After you understand all of the dos and donts of when and why you are pushing the buttons this thing is really cool. Road noise is a lot more pronouced than say a Four door sedan. Moving people and cargo is the name of the game. We looked at all of the SUVs from 30 thou to 60 thou and NONE had the versitily that this van has. Enough said.
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Best Car to own for bigger families - 2017 Honda Odyssey
By Sandeep - February 11 - 12:38 amMore smoother than any other mini vans around the city.
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Not the Best Honda ever Made - 2000 Honda Odyssey
By TerryW - February 10 - 12:20 pmBought used w/ 44K mi. EGR problems @ 70k (fixed free by dealer). This van eats batteries and front brakes. On my 4th battery, and 3rd set of brakes in past 65K miles. Also for past yr. have a recurring fuel vapor leak (EVAP system) fault. Tried new gas cap, but that did not fix. Does a good job pulling our pop-up camper (2500#) though. No engine or transm. issues.
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hsnrl - 2006 Honda Odyssey
By hsnrl - February 10 - 4:33 amNo problems, very quiet and comfortable, good gas mileage,
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Junior styling for a mature vehicle - 2018 Honda Odyssey
By Leonard - February 8 - 4:44 pmHonda has been able to maintain their sale figure but my feeling is it could have been much better. What are they thinking with their styling. It is ugly, disjointed, disorganized (the top crease line end up in nowhere in the rear quarter panel. It should have joined with the crease on the rear quarter panel over the fuel filler door). I feel offended because they dont seem to treat their Odyssey customers too seriously. This is like putting an experiment, a design exercise into a mature segment. If the designers were serious then they would give this design to the Acure line too. I dare them to see what kind of effect this would have on the sale figure of their Acura line! I am owning a 2001 Odyssey and love the design up until 2010 model. The lightning bolt was bad but somewhat tolerable but the 2018 is the worst. The placement of their vents in the second and third rows also killed the deal. I am holding back on my minivan replacement for a couple more years to see if Honda is getting serious about making a sensible design again; otherwise Toyota here I come.
