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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  The WORST Minivan - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By odysseysucks - September 17 - 10:00 am

  The Honda Odyssey is THE WORST minivan! Definitely! After paying almost 3000 over sticker, I hoped to be satisfied. But no! On the drive from the dealer, when the van had less than 100 miles on it, the CHECK ENGINE light came on, and I went straight to the dealer; guess what, TRANSMISSION! At 100 miles! At another 2000 miles, the climate control completely broke, and it was freezing! Many other small problems not worth mentioning. Is this what Japanese cars are like? I previously owned a Dodge Grand Caravan, and should have stuck to it. NO mechanical problems. Do not buy, do not buy, do not buy. Edmunds, please stop recommending it.

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  Fold flat cheat - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By dodgeboy - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is too overrated!! There is nothing reliable about a car that has a severe mechanical problem during the FIRST 5,000 MILES!! Guess what, Edmunds: looks like the Dodge is much more reliable than this crappy import. In the lonely part of Colorado, this van broke down and left my wife, kids, and myself stranded at night. Luckily we could get rid of it, buy a brand new Dodge, and have an end to problems. Our Dodge, which now has 17,000 miles, hasnt had ONE PROBLEMS. So Edmunds, looks like youre very wrong, so take that comment of your sight before misleading more people.

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  Horrible experience!!! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Douglas Kelley - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchase this Odyssey from Rick Case Honda in Florida and from the beginning to now the Honda Odyssey and the Honda experience has been horrible!! The vehicle has been to the shop 5 times for different things going wrong....The problems can be fixed but not always permanently as 2 of the problems have come back....stay away...stay away...stay away!!!!

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  Nothen but problems - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Howard2 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Never again,Honda wae suppose to fix Trans problems.NOT This van is and still a peace of crap.Honda has had nothen but problems with this van,$6.000 for a Transmission.We are trading this peace of crap in on a new DodgeMini Van.

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  How can you not buy and odyssey - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Odyssey #2 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my second new odyssey 2000 and 2002. I paid just sticker price no add on items. I drove my 2000 for 40,000 miles and paid sticker for the 2002 and was given $21,000 + for trade in. Ready to trade every year due to the high trade in prices. I compared buying a comparable 2000 Chrysler Town & Country to a equally equipped Odyssey and it would have cost me after two years over 6,000 difference. No comparison for total value, quality, reliability. Other option buy the new 2002/2003 Pilot to come out shortly.

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  Reliability stinks - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By KellyM - February 5 - 6:43 am

  I have never wrote a review before, but this one deserves it. I have had nothing but problems from day one with this Honda. Nav. will not work. Seats heaters smell like they are burning inside. Will not start in the cold or rain. Brakes squeak. Been in for service six times for a total of 38 days. Service at the dealership STINKS!

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  bad car - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By bad car - August 14 - 12:16 am

  I thoughtn the car was cheaply made and it didnt last long before I had to have repairs....I would strongly reccomend American cars over Japanese cars because the Japanese are cheaply made....theyre like tinker toys and the engine was slow as a dog.

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  watch out before you buy 2018 odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Imran - July 25 - 6:44 am

  I just bought 2018 odyssey less then 1000miles and my rear entertainment system stop working and went to dealer and find out software problem and honda cannot fix it until they have new update software so I was upset because its not my fault honda has to replace with new RES but they are not so please before you buy make sure it works and its not only mine there so many people having same issues....Go to Odyssey forum and you will find details..

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  I hate it! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Janey - June 16 - 2:33 pm

  This will be my last Honda or Japanese product. The build quality is terrible on this thing. It rattles and squeaks with only 4000 miles on it. I had to have the whole Nav system replaced. Every bump in the road makes the cd player skip. My other car is a honda too (2004 Accord). It has already had the transmission replaced on it, as well as not wanting to run in the wet or cold weather. Japanese quality? Never heard of it.

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  WARNING!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Flyingpaperman34 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This has been the worst Vehicle ever! My wife and I bought it for 4000 dollars over the retail price! We have only 22000 miles on the odometer and it has had many problems the power sliding doors have numerouse problems the right side doesnt even work. the left side almost closed on my daughters hand!My next van will be a Chrysler! Numerouse problems with the transmission(and I do not shift it while the car is moving)Transmission Fully Replaced At 10000 miles Luckily it was coverd by warranty! Tons of problems with climate control to! Heres a note to edmunds STOP REFFERING THIS VAN!!!!!! ITS A PIECE OF JUNK! Also the climate control is not working properly!