Used Honda Odyssey Quick Facts
- The 2018 to current Honda Odyssey minivans are the most desirable due to the addition of advanced driver-assist systems. If we had to pick a year, we’d opt for 2021 or 2022.
- The Honda Odyssey holds class-leading resale and reliability stats, and this minivan tows up to 3,500 pounds.
- Honda moved Odyssey production to its Alabama plant starting in 2001.
Now in its fifth generation, the Honda Odyssey remains a go-to family van for nearly 30 years. Known for its innovative features, exceptional safety scores, and proven reliability, a used Honda Odyssey is a wise investment, and it holds its value. However, you’ll likely find the purchase price of a used Honda Odyssey far greater than a similarly equipped Dodge Grand Caravan or Kia Sedona. Only the Toyota Sienna rivals the Honda Odyssey for safety, resale, and reliability.
- What Is the Best Model-Year Used Honda Odyssey?
- Honda Odyssey by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
- Should You Buy a Used Honda Odyssey?
- Is the Honda Odyssey Reliable?
- Used Honda Odyssey Model Years to Avoid
- What Is the Maximum Number of People a Honda Odyssey Can Hold?
- How Much Can a Honda Odyssey Tow?
- Does the Honda Odyssey Offer AWD?
What Is the Best Model-Year Used Honda Odyssey?
The fifth-generation Odyssey from 2018 to current models is the most desirable due to the addition of advanced driver-assist systems. If we had to pick a year, we’d opt for 2021 or 2022. These years provide the latest features and have fewer recalls and owner complaints than the early 2018-2020 vans. If you’re considering spending less money, a 2015-2017 Odyssey provides all the safety, comfort, and power of a newer van. You’ll also get forward collision and road departure warnings on some models, but not more advanced systems like adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking.
See Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
Honda Odyssey by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
Fifth Generation: 2018-Current
Although roughly the same size as the previous generation Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation features a more advanced structural design, more advanced driver assistance systems, a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and clever new features like the second-row Magic Slide seat that not only slides fore and aft but also side to side.
The Odyssey’s power comes from an improved 3.5-liter V6 generating 280 horsepower. Early on, the LX and EX trims use a 9-speed automatic, while the Touring and Elite have an all-new 10-speed unit. After 2020, the 10-speed transmission became standard for all trims.
Unlike the Toyota Sienna, the Odyssey does not offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) or a hybrid engine.
One of the best reasons to opt for the fifth-generation Odyssey is the addition of the Honda Sensing suite. Standard on the EX and higher trims, the suite of safety features consists of collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and road departure mitigation.
The Odyssey offers five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. As is typical with Honda, vehicle options are bundled by trim, with no ability to add features.
The LX includes seating for seven, automatic climate control, cruise control, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Bluetooth. The EX brings the Honda Sensing driver-assist suite, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and auto high beams. Also included are power sliding side doors, fog lights, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, Magic Slide second-row seats, heated front seats, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen hosting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The EX-L adds leather upholstery, a memory driver’s seat, a power liftgate, a power moonroof, and tilt-down-in-reverse side mirrors. An upgraded package adds a rear seat entertainment system, an in-cabin intercom, and navigation.
The Touring adds a hands-free liftgate, navigation, rear-seat entertainment system, a built-in vacuum, and Honda’s CabinWatch rear seat monitor.
The Elite adds rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a 550-watt premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, and ventilated front seats.
The 2018 and 2019 models have more recalls than the later models (after 2021), including issues with the transmission control unit, fuel pump failure, connecting rod damage, and power side doors that can open while moving.
Model-Year Changes:
2025: The Odyssey gets a modest exterior refresh. A new 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on all trims; there are more USB-C ports and a new digital instrument cluster. The rear seat entertainment screen grows to 12.8 inches but loses its Blu-ray DVD player. Honda drops the EX trim.
2024: No significant changes.
2023: The LX trim gets dropped, and a new Sport trim is added.
2022: No more onboard vacuum.
2021: Honda Sensing is made standard, as are LED headlights.
2020: New features include idle stop/start, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a 25th Anniversary package.
2019: No significant changes.
See 2018-to-current Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
Fourth Generation: 2011-2017
If a fifth-generation Odyssey is out of your price range, the fourth-generation van makes an excellent runner-up. It has most of the essential features of the fifth generation, minus the more advanced driver assists.
The fourth-generation van is powered by a 248-hp 3.5-liter V6 and has a 5- or 6-speed automatic transmission, depending on trim and year. The trim lineup is familiar: LX, EX, SE, EX-L, Touring, and Touring Elite.
The LX features seating for seven, a flush-folding third-row seat, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, and 3-row side-curtain airbag protection. The EX adds room for eight, power-sliding side doors, rear sunshades, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The EX-L has leather upholstery, a rearview camera, satellite radio, and a front seat “cool box” to keep drinks and snacks cold.
The Touring adds a 6-speed automatic transmission, parking sensors, a rear-seat entertainment system, and navigation, while the Touring Elite gets a widescreen rear-seat entertainment system, a blind-spot warning system, and a 650-watt 12-speaker sound system.
After 2014, advanced driver assistance, such as forward collision and lane departure warnings, arrive.
On the whole, the fourth-generation Odyssey is larger and safer than the third-generation van, and its reliability and resale figures match those of the fifth generation. The 2011-2013 models do have some issues with oil consumption related to premature ring wear, and there have been some recalls and service bulletins related to the 5- and 6-speed automatic transmissions.
Model-Year Changes:
2017: No significant changes.
2016: A new SE trim debuts, slotting between the EX and EX-L.
2015: No changes.
2014: A major revamp brings new driver aids like forward collision and lane departure warning to the EX-L and higher trims. The LX gains a 4-way power passenger seat, and the top-line Touring Elite gets the HondaVac built-in vacuum.
2013: New standard features for the LX include Bluetooth, an 8-inch color multi-information screen, and a rear backup camera.
2012: The EX gains Bluetooth, an 8-inch color multi-information screen, and a rear backup camera.
See 2011 to 2017 Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
Third Generation: 2005-2010
A third-generation Odyssey will likely be a high-mileage prospect, but if your budget is tight, an Odyssey from these years is a better choice than a Ford Windstar, Dodge Grand Caravan, or Chevrolet Venture. You’ll want to find one that’s been well-maintained, preferably from the original owner, so that you can know its repair history.
The third-generation Odyssey is wider and taller than the second-generation. It uses the same 3.5-liter V6, but it is only hooked to a new 5-speed automatic. The trim range includes LX, EX, EX-L, and the new Touring.
These vans have no advanced driver-assist features, but they come with full airbag protection.
Some of the more innovative features for these years include power-sliding side doors, a power tailgate, power-adjustable foot pedals, a stowable eighth seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
Areas of concern include transmission issues, glitchy power sliding doors, and worn front suspensions.
Model-Year Changes:
2010: No changes.
2009: The EX-L gains a power rear liftgate.
2008: A major refresh brings revised styling and a new variable cylinder management (VCM) system for the EX-L and Touring. New features include a backup camera with its display in the rearview mirror and tilt-down-in-reverse side mirrors.
2007: A tilt/telescoping steering wheel becomes standard.
2006: The Touring trim offers the choice of navigation or rear seat DVD entertainment system (previously bundled together).
2005-2010 Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
The Honda Odyssey Early Years: Generations One and Two (1995-2004)
Second Generation: 1999-2004
The second-generation Odyssey is considerably larger than the first. It replaces the original van’s hinged rear doors with dual sliding side doors and a standard V6 engine. Overall, this generation offers plenty of features for the money. However, there are well-documented issues with the 4-speed automatic transmission related to bad wheel bearings that can fail and block fluid passages.
See 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
First Generation: 1995-1998
The first-generation van puts the “odd” in Odyssey. It features a 4-cylinder engine plucked from the Honda Accord, rear-hinged doors, sophisticated wishbone suspension, and 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. The LX trims could seat seven, while the EX just six. Fun fact: Isuzu licensed the Odyssey and sold it in the United States as the Oasis.
See 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey minivans for sale near you.
Should You Buy a Used Honda Odyssey?
If you’re shopping for a used minivan, a Honda Odyssey is one of the two best bets, the other being the Toyota Sienna. The Odyssey offers a pretty solid record for reliability, and its few issues are well-known, including those covered by recalls. For those shopping for a late-model van, try to find a certified pre-owned (CPO) model, as it will come with a detailed inspection and an extended warranty.
Is the Honda Odyssey Reliable?
The Odyssey has a good reputation for reliability and longevity. The most significant problem areas revolve around its transmission and some oil consumption issues for the V6. Most of the more serious issues are covered by recalls, which don’t have an expiration date like warranted concerns. You can see all recalls for the Odyssey by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
Used Honda Odyssey Model Years to Avoid
Due to possible transmission and engine issues, we’d avoid the 2011-2013 and 2018-2020 vans. If you’re looking at a third-generation or older Odyssey, we suggest you run it by a trusted mechanic first. Older cars, regardless of make, will have normal wear and tear issues for items like brakes, suspension, accessories, and cooling systems, all of which can be quite costly to repair.
What Is the Maximum Number of People the Odyssey Can Hold?
For all but the first generation, the maximum seating allowance is eight passengers, although the LX trim can only fit seven.
How Much Can a Honda Odyssey Tow?
All but the first-generation vans can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Does the Odyssey Offer AWD?
The Odyssey does not offer all-wheel drive. Its front wheels pull it.
