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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  Love my van but $$$ to keep up - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By asuitor - April 19 - 10:46 pm

  I absolutely love my van and so do my kids. Very luxurious and loaded! That being said cars that are loaded have to be kept up. Most of all the run flat PAX tires. Holy crap! $1500+ for new tires on a van! Oops Honda left that out on the sale!! DVD system is great! Heated seats are awesome etc

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  No tranny problems here. - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By weigel5 - April 16 - 1:17 pm

  I bought this vehicle new and sold it about a year ago. It was a great vehicle for the 11yrs we owned it. Only consistent problem was the passenger automatic sliding doors would get out of alignment every other year or so. It also developed a slight oil leak (very slight) as in one to five drops per week (estimate) never actually counted the droplets on a weekly basis. I only hope the new owners have as good of an experience with this vehicle as we did.

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  Good Travel Vehicle - 2008 Odyssey - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By kathy68 - February 23 - 3:15 pm

  Owned a 99 Honda Odyssey and had it for 9 years. Many recalls including transmission replacement on that model year. Purchased a new 2008 Honda Odyssey and have had good luck with it so far -- over 65,000 miles on it. Soft brake issue recall was resolved. Traveled 4,000 miles last summer to Colorado through the rockies and also to the east coast and it was a great travel vehicle.

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  prev gen to current gen - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By sirtiger - January 30 - 4:54 pm

  Lease was up on the 2009 LX and took on the 2012 EX for the SAME price. 2012 Pro: -Luxurious feel & I still own luxury cars for comparison -Many neat features are standard -Compared to the 2009, I feel is slightly wider but not sure on length. This is based on pure feeling. Cons: -Harder to see the corners. More difficult to make tight turns & parallel parking -Lost the lower latch storage in the 2nd row. -Lots of buttons to play with. Its not very intuitive and I am a techie -Compared to 2009, it loses some of its sporty cornering. The ride can be a tad numb.

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  Disappointed Touring Elite Owner! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By jake121 - January 26 - 6:32 pm

  Just took delivery of our new 2012 Odyssey Touring Elite last month after trading in our 2007 and were really disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, we love the ride and comfort but it seems Hondas quality has really slipped. When I first washed the van I noticed the rear quarter panel has ripples like there has been body work done. It had been on the dealer lot for only a couple days. Additionally, around the sunroof there is fabric that isnt glued down and is protruding between the headliner and the sunroof blind. The blinspot warning monitor on the passenger side is loose and rattles. The DVD has pixels burnt out and the rear bumper is warped seems to only be on Touring Elites.

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  So Far So Good 68,000 miles! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By mlady - January 22 - 9:48 pm

  Im surprised at how many wrote in saying they were disappointed with the 07) but the star rating they gave the van was 4 stars--huh? This is our second Odyssey. Our first was a 2004 lease that was very nice. A few problems we had with the 04 were covered under warranty. The battery had to be replaced, rear window in the back motor had to be replaced. And even though I hit the button to lock the car (and heard the beep) one of the back doors was not locking. For our 2007 . We now have 68,000 miles on the car and it has been very reliable (knock on wood) all we had to do was normal maintenance. New tires, alignment, battery, and brakes. We did replace the battery (with in first 2 years

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  Great comfort and feature sets for a family on the go - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By happyvan - January 10 - 11:01 am

  This is a review after owning the car for 3 wk and 900 miles of driving. The V6 is extremely smooth—when it idles, there is no sound or any sense of vibration, and when pushed, it gives off a nice sporty exhaust note. The engine could use a bit more low end torque but has enough power for passing with a full load. The seating are very comfortable, even after a 300 mile trip. The versatile interior is wonderful to accommodating the need of a family on the go — we have two toddlers in car seats. The fit and finish is very good if you are not too picky. But taking a close look, it is hard to ignore the use of cheap materials in some areas to save cost. I have no QC problems at the moment

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  Transmission Failed - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By mykidsmom1 - November 9 - 12:00 pm

  Purchased 2003 Odyssey new from the dealer (had to preorder because they were in such demand?) NHTSA tranny recall @ dealer 8/2004 w/39,000 miles. Last week, with 164,000 highway miles (never TOWED) slipping btween 2nd & 3rd gears & lock up 2x on busy highway. Extremely scary could have been hit and killed. Dealer diagnosed "internal transmission failure". American Honda is useless & tried blaming us. Dealer agreed to discount AFTER we asked, they never offered. Inherent well-documented serious tranny problem. Shame on Honda. Just traded our 93 Ford Aerostar w/just 157K miles & never had tranny problem. Wonder why Hyundai is Americas #1 Car Dealer....No more Hondas for us!!!

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  6 weeks of driving - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By dgconnall - November 2 - 7:39 pm

  This Odyssey replaced a 2003 Odyssey with 120K miles, which was trouble free and an excellent vehicle. At first I did not care for the lighter steering on the 2012 model, which has less road feel - but now I like it. Steering is accurate, and effort less. Ride quality, and barking is very good. The engine has not quite the power of the older model, but it gets 25 mpg city/hway v. lifetime 22mpg - and I am happy with that. First time Ive had a nav. device. I like it, although I havent mastered the audio recognition yet. I have only done 2000 miles, but like the car very much, and would recommend it highly. My wife likes to travel in the middle seats, which she says are very comfortable.

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  Honda Odyssey 2012 - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By jai2 - November 2 - 12:38 pm

  I just brought it last week, by my experience, the worst part of this vehicle is its Navigation System, I bet, nobody can find the AT&T sore in it, I tried for 2 days to search just to check if it works. They charge 2000+ for Navigation system whereas for 300 we can get the best from Garmin or Megellan so never buy with a navigation. If i place the child seat in the 2nd row middle seat the enterance to the 3rd row is blocked because the bucket seat doesnt fold then. No place to put children toys etc.