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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  Overrated - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By mtheadjr - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. It has a transmission problem which the mechanic ackowledges but says cannot be fixed as the part has a faulty design. It knocks, or slips, at midspeeds. I also find the car to be very road noisy. The AC does not blow very cold and the gas mileage stinks. Wish I had never bought it - would not recommend it to anyone. PS _ this is my second one - the first was returned to the dealer after 2 days when it too had a transmission problem which required it to be towed. Should have taken the hint then and run.

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  Performance Guy turned into a Grizwald - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By chask - December 9 - 2:00 am

  We chose Honda based on three main variables: 1Roominess 2Reliabil.3Value I felt Honda gave us plenty of room(if not too much)The fold down seat allows for alot of storage.The reliab. of Honda products in our house has always been great.The Value was a big key to our purchase.We did not see the incentives given by the other manufac. to be real.A $32000 Dodge with incent. of $3500 still lacked many of the feat./perfor.we got in Honda.We found pricing the packages to be confusing and misleading.We like the fact that you had basically 3 packages to choose from and that was it.

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  Best Family Car I Ever Had - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By KSB - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I was relocated from overseas and have driven many different makes and models. When I was in the US, I rented a couple of mini-vans to try out the different feel. I also test drove the vehicles exhaustively and tormented all the various dealers with my line of questioning and competiveness of their cars. Almost every competitor named only one car they saw as being the finest, The Odyssey. The Odyssey emerged as the Supreme master. My wife, a new driver here in the States couldnt have started off with a better car as as well as knowing she could always feel safe with its 5 Star rating.

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  Honda Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By arizona85715 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  We have had this van a little over a month with 800 miles and are very impressed with its quality, performance and features. It handles like a vehicle that is much smaller. We went through the internet department of the local dealer and the experience was very low key. Got free mud gaurds, internet discount off MSRP and free lifetime oil changes every 3750 miles as part of the severe driving conditions with Arizonas dry heat.

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  AWESOME VEHICLE!! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By luvinit - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE UPGRADES!! I USED TO OWN A 1995 ODDYSEY AND NOW OWN A 2002 EXL W/DVD. OUR FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIP IN THIS VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY A JOY FOR ME TO DRIVE!! THE KIDS WERE ENTERTAINED THE ENTIRE WAY! POTTY BREAKS!! WHAT POTTY BREAKS?!! THE SHIFTING IS A SMOOTH AS CAN BE NOW AND THE INSIDE CABIN IS SO MUCH MORE QUIET! BRAVO HONDA!! I WOULD SUGGEST THE HONDA CARE WARRANTY - NO HASSLES - ABSOLUTELY NONE OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS WITH THIS WARRANTY.

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  Excellent Choice - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By HarryKim - December 8 - 10:00 am

  GOOOOOOOOD!

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  Fantastic Vehicle - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Jeff R. - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best minivan around, and my wife and I absolutely love it. Its roomy, comfortable, and has all the features we need. We have had our Odyssey for 2 years and have had no problems at all.

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  Front Seat Controls - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Edie - December 6 - 11:36 pm

  I did not realize, until after purchase that the passenger seat did not have automatic elec. controls. . My old 1997 Ford Explorer, had controls. Entrance to the third row seating, from the use of the sliding 2nd row seat, is a little tight. Dont want to remove 2nd row console. 2 or 3 inches further movement on the 2nd row would make a big difference.2 Gas prices have gone up considerably since purchase of Odyssey, but we wanted a large comfortable auto. Therefore cant complain about mileage. I guess the mileage is pretty good considering size of car. These are all cosmetic issues. Botom line, we really like the 2005

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  Is it a Honda or a Land Rover? - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Hessam - December 5 - 6:23 pm

  With three little boys under the age of 6 I finally decided to get a practical, safe and reliable minivan. I owned an accord in the mid 90s so I knew they were reliable. Well, come to find out things have changed. Since day 2 the check engine engine light has been on and my Honda has seen more of the mechanic in three weeks than my 9 year old Land Rover has in the past year!! Its a shame because the primary reason one purchases a Honda is for its reliability.

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  We love our 2004 Odyssey! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By OdysseyLover - December 3 - 2:00 am

  We love our Odyssey! We had a Venture previously and our Odyssey far out does the Venture in all aspects.