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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  Disappointed Honda Owner - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By nohondamom - January 6 - 12:34 pm

  Purchased a 2003 Honda Odyssey in Fall 2002. I started having trouble with it after 100,000 miles. All maintenance were kept up. Transmission was the major problem. I had to replace it twice within 1 month (had to pay about $1500, while Honda covered the rest). Then a year later I was told the transmission was leaking. Shift Solenoids A and B Gaskets had to be replaced, luckily it was still under warranty. Now Jan 2011, I found out my transmission has a leak again with other major issues. Im told the cost of repair is not worth it. The car is almost 180,000mile. Extremely disappointed that it could not make it to 200,000miles.Told it should last well over 200,000.Will not buy Honda again!

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  Brakes, doors and windows - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By RAC - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Very unsatisfied with this vehicle. Im owner of three other Honda and decided to buy and Odyssey. Decided to buy lower end Honda because i dont like automatic doors. van has been in the dealer twice for issues with the doors due problems with spring. at 21k miles van was having issues when pressing the brakes at 50 mph the steening wheels vibrates very hard, took van to the dealer and according to the dealer rotors are uneven and need re-surface or replacement. According to do them the problem is bad driving. I cannot believe this response. I have other Honda and has never had any issues with rotors at this early driving mileage. Warranty doesnt cover rotors after 10K miles. Van not recommended.

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  Waiting to be Impressed. - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Anetrella - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Coming from an Audi Q7 and a 5 series BMW before that, I am surprised by the lack opf BASIC technology in this vehicle. If the best thing you can say about this thing is that it drives most like a car out of its competitors, well, what does that really say? It is a van, designed for family transport, how does it do there? Sadly compared to a test driven Chrystler Town and Country. Plain and simple, you get tons more features with similar quality for less money with the alternatives. Only reason I am in this vehicle is the wife wants to keep up with the jones.

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  HONDA transmission failure at100K miles! - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Mark - September 3 - 9:46 am

  I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey Van. I have maintained it according to all of the dealership recommendations and opted for all Honda advised work/repairs and scheduled maintenance since I purchased the van. The transmission failed at 100k miles! The service rep stated the several Honda vans have had a similar issue with the transmission. Honda did not offer a cent of assistance in this replacement. I relied on Hondas reputation for years and now I find that Honda will not stand by the quality of their vehicle and my cost is now $4,700.00 plus.

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  Avoid this vehicle - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Kanigetts - August 21 - 3:09 pm

  This van has been a terrible disappointment for us. There are so many small problems and a number of really big ones. The transmission is simply junk and Honda cannot fix it. Their rebuilt transmissions are no better. Parts are extremely expensive, more than my BMW. I had a 1992 Prelude which was great but apparently Honda has gone the way of Ford in terms of reliability. Time to try one of the Korean makers.

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  Worst Purchase Ever - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Honda Odyssey EX-L - July 8 - 8:30 am

  This is by far the worst Honda Ive ever had the displeasure of owning. Since I started driving in 1996 I have had several Honda vehicles and NEVER had a problem with them. Then I decided to trade in a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country on this piece of junk. In 3 years of ownership and 36,000 miles I have taken it in to be fixed so many times that I literally have a repair record stack 1" thick. The automatic door on the passenger side has broken 3 times, the brakes have broken, the transmission has needed to be overhauled, the power steering has leaked, and too many more things to list. The final straw is the door breaking after being "repaired" three weeks ago. This will be gone ASAP.

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  Quart of oil every 1,000 miles is OK?! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Gerry M. - July 7 - 7:12 pm

  At 7,000-8,000 miles, the engine light came on & the car ran so rough my wife was afraid to drive it 1/2 mile to our house. After a tow to the dealer, they cant figure out where the oil is going, but replace the oil and the spark plugs (which are fouled). After several 1,000 mile checks on the oil consumption, I am told today that HONDA USA finds the disappearance of one quart of oil per 1,000 miles to be Acceptable, and there is no repair to be made. But they are researching it and will get back to me. Um, yeah, right. I had a 1987 Honda Civic that gave me over 120,000 miles before it was wrecked by another driver. Quite a letdown to know Honda quality has sunk so low today.

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  An awful vehicle - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Mark - June 11 - 10:17 pm

  We purchased this Car to replace an Accord. What a mistake! We have spent nearly $2000 on repairs not including the brakes every 20,000. The car was making a noise and shuddering so the dealer said it was the bearings. The AC stopped working The dealer tried to charge $199 to look at it. I fought and they took $100 off the bill. We could not afford to replace the leaking condenser $799! This is a design flaw the ac cond is in an unprotected place in the front of the vehicle where the grille is wide open. If Honda installed a $10 grill to protect it would have never have happened. After owning 4 Hondas I am never buying one again. The quality is now worse than any car on the road.

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  Not good in bad weather - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By paula - April 8 - 3:09 pm

  My sister had an older model and loved it. I bought mine just before winter hit and big mistake! This van goes absolutely no where in the snow (I have been through 2 winters with it and I am now trading it in because of how bad it is). It truly makes me nervous to drive in any kind of bad weather with my kids in the car. Also, both my nieghbor and I have had several problems with the doors. I would not buy or recommend this car to anyone who lives where it snows/rains until they bring back the all wheel drive.

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  Honda Odyssey 2003 EXL - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By tdoalamo - April 6 - 10:08 pm

  I wonder what the new 2011 Honda Odyssey looks like. But couldnt wait until the fall. My kid needs to go vacation in the summer and the 2003 Honda Odyssey I have had way too old. Got broken transmission @ 120,000 miles. Now leaking steering wheel oil, just fixed it. Too much wind noise and road noise when driving a Honda car. I already looked at the 2011 Toyota Sienna and love it so much, quiet drive and interior room is awesome. Will go with the Toyota Minivan then 2011 Sienna.