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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  Honda = Lemon - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By paul - June 4 - 10:29 pm

  Ive always been a big fan of Honda. No longer. Had civics, accords, and now the odysseys (owned a 2003 before). Had problems with the steering reservoir, gear hunting at 40 mph, delay in shifting to "d", brake rotors, and now a leaky steering rack! Talked to Honda customer service who was no help and not at all sympathetic. Honda wants $1400 for a new steering rack. Ive owned 10 cars and never had a leaky steering rack. And Ive had many cars over 150k miles. The quality seems to have gone down and the customer service has definitely gone down. After having owned 6 hondas in the past, I will not buy another Honda.

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  Honda Odyssey 2010 poor perorming vehicle - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By mitchlu - May 24 - 1:19 pm

  With all the talk about Honda quality, I was negatively surprised with this NEW Honda Odyssey 2010. Although ride is not bad, I would still say that judging by Honda’s past reputation, this minivan scores average or below. The overall feel of a quality build car, is not present here. Main disappointment is the extremely low fuel economy. While Honda states avg about 20 MPG (17/24) is simply not realistic. I am hardly getting 11 MPG! I have had several older vehicles and none of them provided such low MPG. Some other minor issue which all add up to regretting of buying this: I would recommend: I fuel economy is important to you, do some research on other minivans before getting an odyssey

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  Too expensive to maintan - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By tired of my honda va - May 6 - 11:21 am

  I have to admit, I am terribly disappointed with the Honda Odyssey. Every trip to the dealer for BASIC maintenance is dreadful since I always walk out spending hundreds of dollars for some reason or the other. Definitely consider reviewing other vans before you decide to buy this one.

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  scared. - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By tom sampson - April 27 - 12:25 pm

  I am getting this car as a teen from my parents and after reading reviews i am scared. the last thing i need is my dad giving me an earful for blowing out the transmission which is bound to happen. after reading other reviews i am surprised it has gone 120k with the stock transmission the service light will NOT turn off. i just found out the bumper is nothing more than plastic. this thing is a hog at an SUV like 15 mpg. pickup trucks get more than that. although having bad mileage, it does have a lot of kick to it. but once again, scared to blow out the transmissiion

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  Transmission failure - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By eddie - April 19 - 2:32 pm

  99k miles before transmission failed. Bought new late 2004. No warranty, no luck. Others worldwide with same problem. I know for a fact, 2003 extends its transmission failure, not just the media reported for 2000 through 2002. Caveat Emptor.

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  Money Waste - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Mike - April 7 - 12:04 pm

  We bought this in September. Odyssey has a plenty of power and space so you can enjoy a comfortable ride. But.. DONT BUY Touring edition. Its waste of money. All extras are not working properly. You can forget about using Navigation system or rear camera if its sunny day. Instead of the image or your direction, you will enjoy a BLACK screen. Honda forgot to protect rear camera and information screen from sun and rain. Voice recognition system is fun for a while but you are getting tired to repeate your commands 10 times before system will understand it. USE BUTTONS. Much quicker.

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  Another Odyssey Transmission Failure - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Lucy - April 6 - 2:41 pm

  We bought our van used in 04 w/ only 12,000 miles on it. Loved the van for 5 years and paid it off. Planned to keep it for a good long time, when without much warning the transmission went at only 85,500. We serviced our vehicle at the dealer faithfully and we towed it there for assistance. They said a new transmission would be almost 4,000 and continued to tell me about all of the transmission issues Honda has been having with their vehicles. We were extremely disappointed and decided to trade the car in for a Hyundai w/a 10 yr. powertrain warranty. Like many of the other customer reviews Ive read...we too have lost our faith in Hondas quality.

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  Rides Like A Truck - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By DrFerry - March 28 - 3:49 pm

  We had a 2000 Odyssey LX and kept for nine years. My wife replaced our 2000 model with a new EX-L in July 09 - when Dealers were practically giving them away. The most annoying thing about the van is how harsh it rides. It crashes over the smallest bumps. Potholes feel as if the van has no suspension as everything seems to shake and vibrate. The vehicle is way over sprung and over damped in bump and rebound. A road can look smooth, but the ride will be jiggly, nervous and harsh. I have had ridden in Pick- Up trucks that do a better job of isolating road irregularities than a 2009 Odyssey EX-L. I wish we could take it back and get a model with a softer ride. Go for a long test drive folks.

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  Love Car, Hate Transmission - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Matt - March 27 - 12:26 pm

  We purchased this car second hand from a local Honda dealer, and until recently I considered it the best car I have ever owned. This was my first Honda and I was so impressed with it that when the time came to replace my commuter car I purchased a new Civic. This was until the tranny started to act strange. Soon after the dash warning lights come on. A trip to the local mechanic confirmed that the transmission is throwing three separate failure codes and will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Internet search has shown me that these failures are commonplace and that I got more life than most out my transmission. I expected more from Honda.

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  Dont buy a honda with pax system tires - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Paxhater - March 15 - 1:01 pm

  Do not buy Honda. Me and my wife thought we were getting a quality minivan that would last forever, than the nightmare began. We got a blow out on the rear and found out only Honda dealerships could replace these pax tires and it cost about $325 for the one tire. Then after about 15,000 miles the front 2 were bald and those cost about 650. And you have to replace them you cant put any other tires on those rims. They will last maybe 15,000 miles before they are bald and you are forced to drive on snow covered roads with 3 children on bald tires because you cant afford to replace them. And the brakes are garbage and the yolk in the front suspension snapped and is rattling around.