Honda Odyssey has been a minivan staple for over 25 years and offers reliable family transport in many price ranges.
First introduced to the U.S. market for the 1995 model year, the Honda Odyssey set out to serve as a competitor to the likes of the Ford Windstar and Dodge Grand Caravan with the addition of Japanese engineering and reliability.
Since then, it has been a staple of the minivan market. If you walked up to a stranger on the street and asked them to name a minivan, the popular Honda Odyssey is sure to be one of the first responses.
What started life as a no-frills dedicated family hauler has grown into quite a luxurious vehicle. The minivan market in its entirety has done a lot of growing in the past 25 years, and the Odyssey is certainly no exception, having grown into a fleet of modern and stylish vehicles with amenities that crossovers and SUVs can only dream of having. Honda and the Odyssey push the envelope and blur the lines of minivan and cool car.
That’s not to say the older versions of the Odyssey should be overlooked, though. Since 1995, the Honda Odyssey has gone through five generational changes. Each update brought a modern redesign and an onslaught of new features.
Whether your budget is $3,000 or $50,000, there is an Odyssey in your price range.
Honda Odyssey First-generation (1995-1998)
The first-generation Odyssey should not be written off, despite its age. First-gen. models are some of the most fuel-efficient Odyssey examples on the road. Additionally, one fun quirk of the first-gen. models is that the rear doors function like regular car doors instead of sliding back like the doors on minivans.
The first-gen. bare-bones design (compared to the amenity-filled newer variants) keeps it relatively lightweight. This combines with its four-cylinder 2.2 or 2.3-liter F series engine (depending on the year) for pretty good fuel economy numbers. The EPA estimates up to 24 mpg highway and 18 mpg city. First-gen. models were available only with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The first-gen. Honda Odyssey has surprisingly few recalls for its age. Things to look for include airbag inflators that may rupture, and a faulty ignition switch.
Compared to many vehicles of this vintage, having such a small amount of recalls is a relatively rare occasion. As always, run a vehicle you’re potentially buying through the Vehicle History VIN report system to inspect for recall repairs and any undisclosed crash or theft history.
Another reflection of the Honda Odyssey’s age is the pricing. Often, consumers can find run-down variants under $1,000. However, if you’re looking for a trustworthy model with good maintenance history and a series of caring owners, a budget of around $3,000 is likely to suffice.
Finding one in this shape, though, is the difficult part. Most listed for sale will have monumental mileage readings and 20 years of use.
Honda Odyssey Second-generation (1999-2004)
The second-gen. Honda Odyssey stands out as the generation these really took on the familiar minivan shape. Gone are the normal hinged rear doors of the first-gen. They’ve been replaced with sliding doors.
Also, the second-gen Odyssey became the first to offer inbuilt entertainment in the form of a VCR in the center console for rear-seat passengers to enjoy. Yes, that actually happened. A DVD variant was available too. Additionally, the second-gen. models were first to offer satellite navigation.
Second-gen. models moved up in engine class, too, with a 3.5-liter V6 instead of the four-pot found in the first-generation, increasing power to 210 horsepower for most models. The 2004 models have 240 horsepower, however. The EPA rates the fuel economy at 23 mpg highway and 16 mpg city for a combined 19 mpg rating.
Unfortunately, like many vehicles of the early 2000s, the second-gen. models are plagued with airbag recalls. There are roughly ten open recalls for second-gen. Odyssey airbag equipment. Additionally, certain models are under recall for transmission issues, fuel leaks, and faulty fuel pumps.
As with the first-gen. models, these vans’ age and intended use make lower mileage and clean examples a relatively difficult thing to find. However, with some careful research, a budget of around $5,000 can land you in a decently maintained first-gen. model with well under 200,000 miles. Keep your eyes peeled for that sweet VCR, too.
Honda Odyssey Third-generation (2005-2010)
Third-gen. Honda Odyssey models are where the rubber really meets the road in terms of tech advances. Side-curtain airbags became standard on all Odysseys, and higher trim levels got cylinder deactivation technology to increase fuel economy further. A standard wall-outlet for the rear seat became available.
While the VCR is a thing of the past, a rear-seat DVD player remains available. Other advances such as XM radio, voice-activated navigation, and a backup camera also were introduced during the third-gen. run. This is also the first time the high-end touring trim level was available, which came with all the bells and whistles.
The third-gen. models retain the 3.5-liter V6 from the previous generation. Power output jumped to 244 horsepower, and a five-speed variant of the automatic transmission was introduced. This gives the third-gen. Odyssey an EPA rating of up to 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city for a combined average of 18 mpg.
While the airbag recalls had been alleviated by the third-gen. run, these models do have some recalls to watch for. Most notably are the open recalls regarding sudden brake application or loss of brake functionality.
Neither presents a situation you want to be in. Additionally, some third-gen. models have fuel pump covers prone to cracking that can cause fuel leaks. Additionally, a slightly less concerning recall for failing power lift gates is active as well.
Finding relatively low mileage examples is a lot easier with the third-gen. Odyssey considering their span into the 2010 model year. The Touring model is undoubtedly the one you want, considering its leather interior and all the options one could dream of. Landing yourself in a clean one for under $10,000 is a non-issue. Though, expect to be above $7,000 if you want the cream of the crop.
Honda Odyssey Fourth-generation (2011-2017)
The fourth-gen. brought on yet another forward leap in design. More modernization of the exterior is coupled with some new interior features as well—namely, the HondaVac system.
HondaVac is a built-in central vacuum and is arguably the single most family-oriented feature any vehicle has ever had. Additionally, another celebrated addition with the fourth-gen. models’ release is the modular second-row seating that slides both front to back and side to side, allowing three child seats to be put behind the front captain’s chairs.
Power saw another bump, though the 3.5-liter V6 is again retained for this generation. The new power output comes in at 248 horsepower. The addition of a new six-speed automatic offers a substantial bump in fuel economy, with fourth-gen. models seeing EPA ratings as high as 27 mpg highway and 19 mpg city for a combined 22 mpg rating.
While the second-row seats were a great selling point of the fourth-gen. models, they are also the subject of two separate recalls. One that states the seats may tip forward under braking, and another stating that they may not lock into place.
Additional recalls for the fourth-gen. include insufficient fuel tank welds that may allow fuel leaks and a risk of a bolt in the front suspension components loosening, causing loss of steering.
Earlier examples of the fourth-gen. Odyssey, including higher trim levels like the Touring, are available for around $10,000. However, if you want a 2014 or newer to get your hands on the HondaVac system, prices consistently sit at over $15,000.
The HondaVac and rear-seat entertainment also come on the 2016 model year SE trim, which will also settle between $15,000 and $20,000.
Honda Odyssey Fifth-generation (2018-present)
The fifth-gen. brings us to the current production of the Honda Odyssey. Modern additions for these models include the ability to stream content to the rear entertainment screen via applications, the addition of Android Auto and Apple Car Play, and safety features like automatic braking and collision prevention.
Fifth-gen. models come standard with the familiar 3.5-liter V6, this time with another bump up to 280 horsepower. Additionally, a nine-speed automatic is standard through the model year 2019, with a ten-speed automatic becoming standard in 2020.
This allows a remarkable EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg highway and 19 mpg city for a combined 22 mpg rating.
Surprisingly, the newest Odyssey is littered with open NHTSA recalls. Major recall concerns include one regarding failing SRS systems that will not deploy airbags in the event of a crash, as well as sliding doors opening while the vehicle is moving.
Additionally, a recall for fuel tanks overflowing into charcoal canisters and a coating on rear brake calipers reducing brake functionality are pretty high on the list of concerns. Furthermore, some have a recall for timing belt failure, which could result in complete engine destruction. As always, do your homework when buying used!
The low end of the fifth-gen. Odyssey’s used market doesn’t dip south of $20,000. For a decently specced and low mileage example, expect to be around $30,000 in the used inventory.
With vehicles this new, it’s always smart to look at certified pre-owned models, as they generally come with a warranty. If buying new, $32,000 is about the cheapest you will get. If you’re going all out with the Elite trim, options can put you above $50,000 rather quickly.
Which Honda Odyssey is the Best Option?
If you aren’t in the market for a brand-new Odyssey or even in the ballpark for a used fifth-gen. model in terms of price, it’s hard not to turn to the third-gen. Odyssey. While a budget of $10,000 can land you in a higher mileage and lower trim fourth-gen., it can also land you in a third-gen. Touring model, the highest trim.
The third-gen. has fewer recalls than the fourth-gen., and you get nearly as many features. Leather interior, rear-seat entertainment, and navigation are all present on third-gen. models. The only thing you’re really missing out on is that vacuum system. Though, the money you save surely will suffice when it comes time to put some quarters into the vacuum at a car wash. For most folks, though, the third-gen. Odyssey is just fine the way it comes.
No matter your budget, if you find yourself in a Honda Odyssey that’s been decently maintained and has all its recall work situated, you are not likely to be disappointed.
Photos: Honda
