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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  O8 Odyssey Touring - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By jojobird - August 3 - 12:41 pm

  Vehicle is average with utility in mind. This could be an excellent basic transportation were it not for tire and drivetrain vibration, road noise and Hondas denial and refusal to fix problems. This is not a luxury vehicle even though it is priced as one. Not refined, just good basic transportation. There are better choices.

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  Tranny advice and comments - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By 126 - August 1 - 1:18 pm

  Trannies are the weak link in ALL vehicles and especially VANS and MINIVANS. Most people dont realize this and push it to the limit abusing and breaking it prematurely. Be gentle with the tranny and will last much longer than did for others. Tip - find (feel) the changing spots and take the leg off the gas just before gear change. i.e. after 20km/h, 40,80)

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  2004 Odyssey EX - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Jme - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I got a Lemon and no one at the dealership or Honda wants to deal with it. The fuel gauges were replaced, didnt help. A new fuel sensor, that doesnt help. And now the car is stalling all of the time! The fuel gauge is so inaccurate. I love my Civic Hybrid, but I am really hate this van and how I am being treated by Honda.

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  Horror-bolt disintegrated-uppr eng lost - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Pat - June 29 - 1:01 pm

  Sold 11 yr running Dodge Caravan, bought 09 Honda Odyssey. Had for about 3 months, took out west. Before return home took drive to Sedona, AZ, lost power on National Forest Road w/few places to pull over - van towed to dealership on Sunday. Monday told the whole upper engine destroyed by disintegrated bolt, needed days to repair. Afraid to drive it home about 1800 miles to Ohio. Informed insurance agent of manufacturer defect - if something else happens to investigate van. Seriously worried we could have been in bad accident. Honda disinterested in our concerns - repaired to their satisfaction not ours.

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  Honda Odyssey has the worst AC - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By A Hasan - June 26 - 2:09 pm

  Now I am paying 900 dollars to fix the AC whereas my car is only 4 and 1/2 years old. So I am not happy at all with Honda Odyssey.

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  Wont buy another Honda!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By js114 - June 11 - 7:35 am

  I purchased this brand new and at first I did not want a minivan, but Ive found I like the convenience of it. Now I absolutely cant stand it, the passenger side door rattles. At first it sounded like a marble. They took the door apart and wrapped everything, it was gone for a few months, now its a new rattle and now the other door has started. Its bad when your 4 year old says, "mommy my door is rattling again." You cant even turn up the radio to drown it out. Its only a year old and I want to get rid of it. I wish I never got rid of my 4Runner. Dealer says hes never heard of this problem. After reading the reviews, it sounds very common.

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  This will be my last Honda - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By ajaca5 - April 26 - 8:59 pm

  Horrible interior and exterior fit & finish, rattles and hard wind noise. Been in the shop for 3 times (replace misaligned top & bottom glove box, streaks on passenger window, and rattles from both front sash trims), bought for steep discount and good experience w/ my current 2002 Odyssey, poor fuel economy, dangerously soft brakes, so-so road handling, cheap plastic interior, poor front ventilation controls for rear, uncomfortable bucket seats (too short for my thigh) poor paint jobs, and etc. Been driving hondas since 1990 (1990 civic, 2000 accord, 2002 oddysey), this will be my last.

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  Do NOT buy Honda Minivans - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Arun Gupta - March 7 - 10:23 pm

  This van has too many design flaws when I compare it to my 8 year old Dodge Caravan which I traded in. I could tolerate design flaws but I cannot tolerate transmission bumps when shifting up and down shifting. The dealers "expert" mechanic says that this is how all Honda minivans shift. Not comfortable to feel sudden bumps when going from 60 to 70 mph. Many Honda user forums also complain about this bump. The engine also makes a lot of noise when driven between 40-60 mph. The dealer again says that this is how it is. Unacceptable. The bumps and noise make driving experience horrible.

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  Steve in Guelph - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve in Guelph - February 3 - 8:39 pm

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Passenger window rattles, brakes are poor, seat is hard and uncomfortable, radio sound quality is dismal. Also the paint is rough to the touch as though it has dirt embedded in it. The steering wheel does not return to the on center position without assistance. I read all the reviews before purchasing and cannot believe that they were mostly positive. Perhaps the higher models are more comfortable.

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  Unreliable - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Rita Brogonsian - January 30 - 1:21 am

  I have a stalling problem my Honda dealer (and another) will not fix. It stalls every time I get hard on the gas pedal. I have been on the 400 trying to merge and the van just dies. I have it towed to Honda but they cant find anything wrong. I dont like this van as much as my old Caravan. It not very reliable. I think I made a big mistake.