2007 Honda Odyssey Review

The Honda Odyssey came on the market in 1995. The first Odyssey featured swinging, rather than sliding, doors and came in two trim levels, the LX and EX. The LX had two front bucket seats and two rows of benches, while the EX replaced the second row benches with captain’s chairs. The second generation debuted in 1999, adding sliding rear doors and a flat-folding third row seat, but was plagued with transmission and other problems. Despite that, it was a hot seller, and buyers had to wait in line to get their hands on one. The current Odyssey was released in 2005, introducing a more flexible seating, increased power and several additional options. The Odyssey has won numerous awards, and has been hailed as the minivan of 2006 by Car and Driver, MotorWeek, and IntelliChoice.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Honda Odyssey combines quality and practical detail. The safety and reliability scores are very impressive. In fact, the only quibble we have is that the top tier Touring edition offers extra features at the expense of a seat, so if you need to carry eight people regularly the EX-L is a better option. Honda has packed a lot of horsepower into the Odyssey without sacrificing fuel efficiency and the handling is excellent for a minivan. The quality and track record of the Odyssey doesn’t make it the cheapest van on the market, and loaded models can be downright pricey, but there is no better minivan on the market.

What’s New For 2007:

For 2007, the Honda has added the frequently requested tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a coin holder, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It comes in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The LX is the basic trim and includes power windows, air conditioning, and keyless entry. The EX adds climate control, a CD changer, and extra interior compartments. The EX-L comes with a leather interior, heated seats, and a moonroof. The Touring is fully loaded, with parking sensors, automatic climate control, and satellite radio.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power and Associates gives the Odyssey three and a half stars out of five for initial reliability. The 2004 Odyssey received five out of five stars for reliability from Automotive Information Systems. The second generation Odyssey, sold from 1999 to 2004, had problems that could lead to transmission failures in model years up to 2002, as well as a number of road noise issues. However, these issues seem to have been ironed out, and current owners give the Odyssey rave reviews. Overall, except average to above average reliability. The Odyssey comes with a basic three year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The Odyssey is one of the safest vehicles on the road. It received five stars in frontal and side government crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Odyssey its best rating, “Good,” for front and side impacts, and an average “Marginal” rating for rear impacts. Safety features include anti-lock brakes with assist, traction and stability control, rollover sensor, front side airbags, and full curtain side airbags. The Touring trim features PAX tires that can be driven on for 100 miles after a puncture, and all 2007 models feature a tire pressure monitor. Four recalls were issued for the Odyssey in 2005: One due the potential disabling of the front airbag sensor, another for a loose fuse box terminal, one for incorrectly installed brake sensors, and another for a malfunctioning steering column.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Excellent safety
+ Good ratio of performance to gas mileage
+ Innovative storage solutions

Cons
– Upper trims and options can be pricey
– High demand
– No all-wheel drive

Head-To-Head Competition:

Chrysler prides itself on its minivans, like the Chrysler Town and Country, but the Odyssey destroys it in comparison. They both cost about the same, and have similar fuel efficiency, but the Odyssey comes standard with traction control, side impact airbags, and a five speed automatic transmission. The Odyssey is rated at 74 more horsepower than the Town and Country too. Another option is the Ford Freestar. The Odyssey holds the same advantages over the Freestar as it does the Town and Country, but costs a full $1,000 less than the Freestar. However, the Freestar does have a larger engine (4.2-liter vs. 3.5-liter). For about $1,600 more, you can upgrade to the Chevrolet Uplander, which includes more electronic gadgets, like a theft-tracking system, OnStar, and DVD player. Otherwise, the Uplander and Odyssey are very similar in features, performance, and fuel efficiency.

What Others Are Saying:

“With each new Odyssey, Honda reestablishes its dominance in the minivan marketplace. It does this not only by winning magazine comparison tests, but also at the dealer level, where “additional dealer markup” seems the often-used phrase of the Honda sales reps.” – MotorTrend

“The only way to put Honda’s success: Readers love the Odyssey. From its dual sliding power doors, comfortable driving position and remarkable third-row seat that folds flat into the floor (a feature Honda pioneered), this is the minivan other automakers have in their sights.” – Autoweek

“This is our favorite minivan, a five-time Trucks trophy winner in the van category. It’s a quiet, refined, and roomy vehicle, with quality materials and exemplary ergonomics. It abounds with safety features, and from the driver’s seat it’s the best van on the market.” – Car and Driver

Read more about the 2007 Honda Odyssey at the Honda manufacturer web site.