Honda Odyssey Review

2008 Honda Odyssey Touring Minivan Shown

For most of its lifespan, the Honda Odyssey has been a favored pick for many savvy minivan consumers. 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 fold-into-the-floor third-row seat. Now in its third generation, the Odyssey is one of the top minivans currently available.

Invariably, whenever we've had a minivan comparison test, the Honda Odyssey has made a strong showing, usually earning top honors. Sure, there are one or two other minivans that rival the Odyssey as far as performance and family-friendly features, but the Honda's combination of those attributes, along with a roomy, comfortable cabin, sporty driving dynamics and a long-standing impressive record of reliability, have made the Odyssey a favorite among our road-test staffers with kiddies.

Current Honda Odyssey

The current Honda Odyssey was last redesigned for the 2005 model year. There are three main trim levels for this seven-passenger minivan: LX, EX and Touring. The well-equipped LX features full power accessories, cruise control, side curtain airbags, stability control and a CD player. The EX adds alloy wheels, eight-passenger seating, power-sliding doors, power driver seat, a six-disc CD changer, in-floor storage with a "lazy Susan" and second-row sunshades.

There's also the EX-L version that provides leather seating, heated seats and a moonroof. The Touring adds a power tailgate, triple-zone climate control, driver memory seat, AC power outlet, power-adjustable pedals, foglights, parking sensors, a second-row removable center console, run-flat tires and a tire-pressure monitoring system. A rear entertainment system and navigation system are optional on the EX-L and Touring.

A midcycle refresh occurred three years later that brought a restyled front end and new luxury features including Bluetooth connectivity and a back-up camera integrated into the rearview mirror.

For power, the Honda Odyssey relies on a 255-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. One special feature for this V6 on top trim levels is Variable Cylinder Management, or VCM. VCM improves the Odyssey's fuel efficiency by "shutting off" three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration. When power is needed for acceleration, the engine seamlessly switches back to all six cylinders.

On the road, the Odyssey impresses thanks to its powerful engine and stable handling. Cornering is flat, the steering is direct and acceleration and braking are linear and sure. All of these qualities have made this Honda van a favorite of Edmunds editors, and it has won the Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted_SM minivan award more times than any other minivan on the market.

Past Honda Odyssey Models

The previous-generation Odyssey showed off Honda's typical skill at identifying exactly what the market wants in a given segment and delivering it in a high-quality package. Available from 1999 to 2004, this Odyssey featured best-in-class performance courtesy of a powerful V6 and an all-independent suspension, as well as useful features such as a large cabin, power sliding doors and that hide-away third-row seat. Throughout its six-year run, Honda's second-generation Odyssey was the one to get. From 1999 to 2003, the Odyssey won consecutive Editors' Most Wanted awards 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 four 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.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.