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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  Lots of small problems - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By Don - December 30 - 8:11 pm

  The oil pan leaked off of the lot, steering column squeaks, the headrest forces your head to tilt down, and the sliding door roller makes a pulsing/tapping sound. This car has been garaged and parts are defective from the factory.

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  Disappointed to say the least - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By CN - December 8 - 2:41 pm

  After a dismal experience with a 2011 Toyota Sienna, which we purchased new, we bought the Odyssey in large part based on the 140,000 trouble-free miles put on our 2003 Odyssey. Initially, all was well. But, in two years and a tad under 50,000 miles, we had to replace the power steering pump and transmission (though that took four trips to the dealer before Honda relented). There was also a chronic grinding/whining noise that intermittently came from the a/c compressor and was never fixed. Not wanting to risk more failures, we traded it in for a 2014 Odyssey before the warranty ran out. Eighteen months and 31,000 miles into the 2014 model, it has been trouble-free, just like the 2003 model.

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  Jerking transmission - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Shannon - November 22 - 2:08 am

  Mother-in-law, my one year old and I were driving to Colorado from Arizona while ascending up a hill my van violently jerked after a couple of loud clunks and the van lost its ability to keep up with the speed limit ( we were almost rear ended by a Semi truck.) I pulled off the highway at the next exit and called Honda Cares. The mechanics at The Honda Dealership in Flagstaff AZ. looked at me like I was crazy. The Van was parked and turned off while we waited for a mechanic to take it on a ride. I was told that there was nothing wrong with my van and he told me to read my manual so I could learn about the D4 button that I should of used while going up hill. (I was utilizing the D4 button when this clunk happened) He said it was safe to drive to Colorado because there was nothing wrong. We went on our way. The van was terrible going up hill and shuddered when down shifting. I took the van into the dealership the day after we reached our destination and they acted like I was totally nuts. I told them about the transmission issues that I read about the night before my appointment. I was told that they never heard of such a thing and that the Odyssy was bulletproof and that they dont pay attention to online complaining. I mentioned that a person stated that they took their van to a dealer and they called Honda Tech and were told that there was a software update. The mechanic said it was a lie because only the dealership can call Honda Tech. (didnt I just say that the dealership called?)I left the van there overnight and was told that there was nothing wrong and that there is no software update. I didnt drive my van for the next couple weeks then it was time to drive back to AZ. No problems on the trip back except the transmission does not shift as smooth as it had the first 10,000 miles. The transmission still shudders on occasion and its get up and go has got up and went. I am so sad and disappointed in Honda, this is my 5th and maybe my last Honda vehicle.

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  Accck, where is the Honda quality? Love the design - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Shannon - October 29 - 7:57 am

  We are on our 2nd Honda Odyssey. Our first died at 135K with a starter problem that couldnt not be fixed, by anyone! That car also had transmission failure at 100K, replaced under warranty. ( a different dealership) Our 2009 Odyssey has had power steering pump replaced- twice, fuel pump replaced and now, the same starter problem at 135K. The starter has been replaced but it did not fix the problem. We are done with Honda, though I think the this dealership has gone above and beyond in trying to make us happy. The cars - both of them, not up to our quality standards. Love the minivan, hate the repair hassle.

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  VCM a total flaw - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Herb Tolawinski - September 19 - 10:57 pm

  Wish I could like the car but Im tired of the repeated visits to the dealer to fix what really is a faulty engineering issue. VCM creates more problems than it solves. I wish that wasnt so. The Honda techs are saying this and, almost, apologetic about it. I wish that I could do my part to cut down on fuel consumption to be environmentally friendly. The problem is, the poorly implemented VCM causes me to go through 5 quarts of oil every 5,000 miles. Ive had to replace cylinder rings and motor mounts and things are still not right. Theres a TSB for this thats supposed to cover 2008+ vehicles but, for whatever reason, it doesnt apply to mine. So Im stuck with the options to sell it (and pass this nightmare on to someone else who will develop the same feelings about Honda as I) or to remain on a first name basis with the Service Manager.

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  thought I was going crazy - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By day1 - July 25 - 1:25 pm

  I have been a loyal Honda owner for years. Just bought the 2015 odyssey after having owned one before and after driving it home started to get a dizzy feeling that made me sick. I am about one month into owning this car and the vertigo still hasnt gone away. Very disappointed but was comforted by knowing I was not going crazy and others were having the same experience.

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  Smart cars are dumb - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Arnoldo Betong - July 19 - 8:42 pm

  Our car detects imaginary individuals in the heat, opens the windows and sunroof, and floods when the rainstorm hits. A lemon of a design. I will never buy Honda again

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  LOVED 2007 2015 DISAPPOINTMENT - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Richard Grand - July 18 - 8:14 am

  LOVED 2007 TOURING. Had 2 minor gripes: Passenger seat too close to dash Proprietary run flat tires could only be repaired/replaced at Honda dealer. 2015 TOURING NOT SO MUCH. Ride way too stiff. Amplifies road noise. Front seats difficult to ingress/egress (~12" laterally from ground, hard to get into contoured seat). Ledge under door collects water/dirt which gets on clothes. Awkward steering wheel adjustment required for drivers of different size. Infotainment system not intuitive and way too complicated. One tone for all alerts is a safety problem (have to take eyes off road to determine cause). Nitpicking interior items include: no coin holder, front cup holders not convenient, no storage for headsets in second row. PLUSES: Rear view camera is great. Setting Navigation screen back into dash with cowl is a major improvement. CONCLUSION: Very disappointed. Will not keep this van for usual length of time

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  Give me a brake - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By ericlight - July 2 - 4:56 am

  Honda spent a lot of time redesigning this minivan but skimped on the quality. There should be a class action lawsuit over brake warpage and suspension noise. Honda is charging consumers to routinely fix a design defect. If rotors warp at 12-15k miles regardless of driving style then you have a design flaw. Everyone we know who owns this van has warped rotors. So much of this van is well designed but they didnt car about the most important safety system.

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  Honda Quality....Are you Kidding?? - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By terryauto - June 21 - 8:02 pm

  We purchased our 2014 Honda Odyssey last August. We decided to buy the Honda on reputation and the smoothness of the Honda Engine. Boy were we wrong. We have owned many new car brands, GM, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Volvo, Mercedes Chrysler to name some. We have never had the troubles with those brands as with the Honda.The big issue was that at around 8200 miles the head gasket blew. Now a check engine light is on. I have years of prof auto experience and Honda did not complete the repairs to proper standards. The car does not rde, perform, or have as good ergonomics as the KIA loaner we had from Enterprise! Now that was a shock to us as we never gave the Kia a look when shopping. We are done!