Roominess, magic seat, very comfortable solid-feeling ride, very large windshield, safety rating, Honda name, sideways-sliding seat in middle row (able to get my child away from sides of car for protection in a side-impact accident), sliding doors on both sides, great turning radius - turns like a smaller car, nice power and pick-up (better than my Explorer).

Driver's and passengers seats rather stiff and hard.Gas cap not attached with a tether! When it is quiet you can hear the gasoline sloshing around in the gas tank - asked dealer about this - they said "oh yea, we've heard that complaint before - thank God for radios!".

Paid full sticker price but after exhaustive reviewing of all minivans available, this is what I wanted and I was prepared to pay. Lucked upon a dealer that had one on the lot and drove it home that night. It is the base model but added floor mats (worth the extra few dollars). If you are trying to decide between a minivan and an SUV, get this vehicle. The safety rating, roominess, and features make this a deal even at sticker price. Have had 2 Ford Explorers and would never go back to an SUV (just had an acquaintance killed in an Explorer roll-over). So far, I love this vehicle and am planning on keeping it at least 10 yrs. If you live in Orlando, go to Classic Honda on East Colonial and ask for Izzy - he's got many yrs of experience and really takes care of you - even after the sale.

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I've had 2 Ford Explorers and this just "feels" so much safer (and it is, in fact). Much more cushy ride - bumps are hardly noticed.

Powerful engine, very agile with a huge interior that can be rearranged to suit the purpose. Excellent for long distant driving!

Bad stereo system. Poor gas mileage for the city. Should include more standard features instead of options.

Paid a bit more for the navigation system and tint package. You must ask yourself, why do many auto dealers must wait weeks or months to get their order in? The plain truth, the Honda Odyssey is the best valued minivan on the market!

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All other mini vans comes in at a distant second.

Very agile, car-like handling, cavernous interior that can be configured many different ways for storage and hauling, torquey VTEC motor, power sliding doors, most forward thinking styling of any minivan, excellent overall build quality, tray table in between the front captains chairs.

The driver's seat (even with 8 way power) lacks proper side bolstering and thigh support for tall drivers, some torque steer under modest to hard accceleration, atrocious stereo, no 2 way seat memory, lacks some other creature comforts (i.e., outside temp gage non-powered front passenger seat, poorly designed, rattly change drawer, weak door checks

After an exhaustive, all encompassing minivan search, we finally settled on the Ody. It was the first vehicle we test drove (our dealer actually had an unclaimed EX on the lot). We immediately liked the driveability, it's road manners (good on center steering, very little body sway on expressway ramps, good power), and its styling. I was a little put off by the relatively uncomfortable seats that are clearly not designed for someone over 5'8" , and the knowledge that we would have to pay "full boat" and wait 6 -8 weeks for the privelege of owning one. The search continued... We thought the Windstar had a host of safety features, good value and power, but I didn't like the buzzy feedback in the accelerator pedal. The Mopar products were stylish, but the historical tranny problems lack of power (even with the T&C), and lack of power sliding doors made us look elsewhere. Liked much about the GM minivan triplets, but our test drives revealed some rattles that didn't bode well for future reliabilty. The Sienna was a consideration, but we decided it was too small, the interior was way too cheap and plasticky, and we objected to the blatant, add-on, pure profit tactics from all the southeast Toyota dealers we spoke too. Villager and Quest were feature filled, but way too small for a growing family. Didn't even drive the Mazda - hopelessly underpowered.

That said, we placed a $500 refundable deposit with our local Honda dealer, and waited about 5 weeks for delivery. Our final purchase price was $29,178, which included aftermarket leather that the dealer arranged, and upgraded Honda accessory wheels (hey, a guy's gotta get some style points from his minivan), and 9 free oil changes

High marks on the drivetrain, powerplant, and handling. The Ody makes you confident on ramps, high speed traffic. It is not ponderous and trucklike.
Good fit and finish. Pretty good dashboard ergonomics. Great utlity. We especially like being able to position our 14 month old in the center of the second row. We feel that this further protects him in the event of a side impact. The magic seat is very useful. Don't talk yourself out of the EX trim line to save some money. The auto climate control, and sliding power seats are worth the extra.

Some downsides, of course. The stereo is an affront to all music lovers. Suitable for AM talk radio only. The change tray only rattles when it has change in it. The drivers seat was not exactly designed by Recaro. Very weak door checks will allow the doors to close on the slightest upgrade. Also, our EX has a bit of a torque steer problem that actually may be tire related. Still working with the dealer on that.

Overall, the ODY goes to the head of the class. I think it's the most stylish, most utlitarian, best looking Mom Mobile out there.

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This is our first minivan (it coincided with our first child).

Excellent ride, solid feel, the Magic Seat

Lousy stereo at this price, and no floor mats????

I paid full sticker price for this minivan, and when compared with the competiton's prices after rebates and discounts, it's still worth it. The ride is superior, and there's plenty of power under the hood. Best of the Class!

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Toyota Sienna,,,,close, but the nod goes to the Honda

Sliding doors are great for moms with babies! Love the cargo room and powerful engine.

Back door is very hard to close. Takes a real slam to close it tight. Third seat head rests obstruct rear view .

Paid $26,400(got floor matts,touch-up paint,and an oi change thrown if FREE!!!). Had a great experience at Honda East in Columbus OH with Phillip Dunbar as our excellent salesman. Lucked into an EX after having called every dealer in Columbus. Honda East got one in just that day and we drove it off the lot that night (fighting for other couples to get it). Honda offers a far superior product compared to other minivans and I'll buy another one when I kill this one in 20 years. I hesitate to praise this vehicle since now you can't deal because they are in such demand. Lets keep the best minivan around a secret between just us ok!!!!!!

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Test drove Grand Caravan-Honda out does it in value and drive.

Powerful motor, "magic" 3rd seat, Honda "reliability", cost vs. other similarly equipped vans, body style, roominess of the interior, being able to separate my kids with second row captains seats!, being able to swallow 4x8 ft. sheets of whatever...

Stereo stinks, shifter in the way of dash, HORRIBLE clunking of transmission after traveling about 15 feet in reverse, some options should be standard features (floor mats, mud flaps...)

Paid $500.00 below MSRP. Had to travel to Andy Honda in Portsmouth, Ohio (1.5 hour drive from Cincinnati)because none were available in my town and NO ONE would knock off any money. Upon delivery I Had several problems: rear spoiler had a crack in it (near windshield washer nozzle)replaced under warranty, scuff in the plastic rocker panel replaced under warranty. Since having it from July of 1999, the following problems have appeared: rubber molding around front windshield has "rippled" (still need to replace under warranty), a spring broke in front driver seat bottom, to be replaced under warranty, a horrible clunking sound has developed in the transmission. After backing up about 15 feet out of garage the transmission "slams" really hard. It is very disturbing!! I have replaced the crappy factory stereo with a Sony cassette and 10 disk changer. I have not replace the speakers yet. I have to turn the base WAAAAAAAAY down or it sounds really distorted. The speakers are the real problem. Replace them before the stereo, you will probably be able to live with it. On the process of buying the vehicle. I could not find any dealers in Cinti. with a 1999 LX CSS on the lot. I found out a co-worker knew the Sales Manager at Andy Glockner Honda in Portsmouth, Ohio. He stated he had one coming in, in a couple of days, exactly what I wanted. I took delivery of my van two days later. When I was picking the van up, I found out that the Sales Mgr., stole this van from one of his salesman, sold it to me, and kept the commission!! What an @$$Ho)e!! If I would have known, I wouldn't have bought it from them. I am disappointed with after market availability of certain items. I have a problem paying $140.00 for floormats!! I am planning on putting honda prelude 16 inch wheels on it. Going to buy them on EBAY. SOOOOO much cheaper!!! I like alloy wheels but refuse to pay $$$$ for the factory 16 inchers that came with the EX's. Would have bought an EX, but didn't like hearing about all of the problems with the sliding power doors. I am happy with my purchase, but, I am disappointed in the Honda reputation of QUALITY. I don't think I bought a lemon, but, I have only had it one year. What could be next to break??

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First van ever owned. Looked at all others. Still love what I have in the Oddysey

best value out there (though Sienna was really close 2nd at the time);
so spacious inside (we're small people);
strong engine though gears sometime stall a bit;
great tow vehicle;
Honda quality (I hope... my first Honda)

no floor mats (but most dealers were including 'em, if you ask);
shift lever and wiper control too close together;
needs better audio system or speakers or something;
unpainted exterior plastic (on LX) unprotected from sun;
sunken area for magic seat made it impossible to have a class III hitch look good behind the van (sticks out like sore thumb);
oh, too much surface area to keep clean (just thought I throw that in)

Paid msrp just like the rest of the world, right? Been a loyal Toyota owner for years but had to get this Honda, even if it meant waiting... for a week. Yes, we were lucky at the time and got the right color too (beige). Recently installed hitch and Honda ATF cooler and towed Uhaul trailer 2000+ miles (if I had known that I would someday tow, I would have struck a deal at time of purchase to save $). I must say we did not have any problems at all on the road (even though we were going way faster than the 45mph limit on the Uhaul... hehehe). It really comes down to preferences and features and the Odyssey was a perfect fit. Btw, it really feels good when you are in a parking lot (or at a red light) with several other vans on each side and you can say (to yourself), "my van is better than yours...!"

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test drove Sienna and looked at Windstar and that was it

It's a Honda! If you've owned a Honda, then you know. For all others, Honda Engineering is top notch, and they don't fill their cars with fluff like 23 cupholders, 61 maplights, 4x8 sheets of simulated woodgrain, and chromed ABS trim that looks like garbage in a couple of years.

Strong engine, easy to drive, the magic seat, power doors, Honda reliability.

Standard complaint, the stereo, but then again this is a family mobile, not a street cruiser. The Barney and Backstreet Boys don't warrant volume.

Waited over 7 months for our 2000 EX (delivered 10/10/00), paid $200 under MSRP because we got a 2k instead of a '99; the dealer was nice enough to let us have it at the '99 price. Money saving tip- Mail order the options from partscheap.com (a not so greedy Honda/Ford dealer in CA); you'll save a bundle.

By far the best pick if your head is screwed on right. I like to buy a vehicle that is well built, reliable, and a good value. The Odyssey is exactly that! If you price a Windstar, Sienna or Grand Caravan to what the Odyssey has, your looking at 29K or better. Be patient and order a Honda, you won't be dissapointed. Well, maybe you will be dissapointed with the dealer.. typical with Honda, but who cares because your van won't have an intimate relationship with the dealership because nothing goes wrong with Hondas.

For those who read all of these reviews, the power doors are fine.. they don't break, they are fast enough (6 seconds), and when it's raining out, you'll love that you can open the doors while running to the van (umbrella in car).

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Caravan Sport, Grand Caravan,( both very nice rides, but unreliable), Windstar (high price, cheap interior)

A very good minivan selling at or above MSRP. Has a strong engine, spacious interior, Magic third seat, cargo room, etc.

Rattles at the front cup holder, coin holder, 2nd row seats and no security system for a van selling at MSRP. Poor audio, not so comfort seats, the attitude of the dealers before and after buying the van. They are still unable to fix the above mentioned rattles and one of them said I have to live with it.

Paid exact MSRP, but paid extra for floor mats(which you can buy at very good price on the net). Honda's name, build, my previous experience with Honda made me buy this-but this will be my last honda as the the hype does not match the reality and the inability of the dealers to repair the defects and their attitude will certainly turn customers away. I would suggest Odyssey as 1st choice for a minivan, but definitely have a look at Toyota Sienna.

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Toyota Sienna, Ford windstar

Low maintenance bills – yeah! Great handling and quick pick-up. I love the real car doors – with windows that roll down – unfortunately this is no longer available. We get wonderful mileage – 28 to 30 on the highway – better than listed. The dealership we did business with – High Point – has always been wonderful to work with.

Most Honda Dealerships – and when you write Honda and complain – you don’t even get a reply. We were set to purchase a demo at the local dealership and after they knew we had sold our car (and because we stupidly had not signed any papers) they raised the price on the van and we also found “in small print” that the van had been in an accident. They had not mentioned that! We quickly moved on to another dealership
We put in a new stereo – and the van is a bit noisy (if you need quiet don't choose the Odyssey) – but that’s it Folks!

When we went looking for a van, we wanted one known for reliability and endurance – we always keep our cars for eight to ten years. Honda is known for this and our van proves the reviews correct. Our interior is wearing well, looks like new – even after four years. I love the roof window, separate air vents for the back seats, which enables the car to cool quickly. Also the back seats remove easily – no problem for me at 128 lbs. We have over 70,000 miles – lots of trips and my husband and I still love our Odyssey!

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