2008 Honda Odyssey Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers say the 2008 Honda Odyssey minivan is responsive, has a powerful yet smooth and economical engine, and offers a sportier feel than most minivans. Experts also praise the Odyssey's folding rear bench seat and long list of standard features. Crash-test ratings for the 2008 Odyssey minivan are among the best in the segment. The Odyssey also has a great reliability record, high resale value, a car-like ride and plenty of power. In spite of the pressure from the new Chrysler minivans, which offer several class-exclusive options, many reviewers still declare the Honda Odyssey deserves to be your first choice in a minivan.

What the reviewers don't like:
Despite their overwhelmingly positive impressions, reviewers acknowledge that Honda Odyssey minivans can get pricey, especially when loaded with options.

2008 Honda Odyssey review highlights

Many reviewers claim the Honda Odyssey is the minivan to beat. In past years, only the Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665) has come close, although many sources tout the newly-revamped Chrysler minivans as a force to be reckoned with in 2008. Reviews say the Odyssey has more nimble handling, and many claim the Odyssey is the most fun to drive of all minivans on today’s market. But consider the Toyota Sienna if you live in an area with harsher winters and want all-wheel drive -- Honda has never offered this option, and Chrysler dropped it from their minivans prior to 2007. Minor interior upgrades have been added to the 2008 Odyssey, and the top trim level offers an updated version of this minivan’s VCM (Variable Cylinder Management), which increases fuel efficiency.

The Honda Odyssey is traditionally one of the most-reviewed minivans on the market. We found the best coverage at Consumer Reports and at Edmunds.com, where editors compared the Odyssey to its primary competitors, such as the Toyota Sienna. Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com, and ConsumerGuide.com offered useful information on features and specifications for the 2008 Honda Odyssey. Reviewer Don Vorderman focuses on additional details such as reliability and depreciation at CarCritic.com, and Edmunds.com also posts a comparative review that pits the Odyssey head-to-head with the redesigned 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Also see full report: Minivans

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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2008 Honda Odyssey Review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Editors at Consumer Reports haven't extensively road-tested the Honda Odyssey since its last major redesign in 2005, but as most of the 2008 updates are cosmetic, the results are still relevant to newest model. Editors do, however, and rank the Honda Odyssey against its competitors. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this review is a chart showing historical repair and owner satisfaction data.

2. Edmunds.com
2008 Honda Odyssey Review
Editors of Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com doesn't test the Honda Odyssey head-to-head with other minivans in this review, but editors state that the Odyssey is the best in its class in terms of “all-around desirability.” They offer a good generalized look at this minivan’s performance and features, and provide links to consumer ratings and reviews.

3. Kelley Blue Book
2008 Honda Odyssey Touring Review
Editors of Kelley Blue Book

Editors here don’t formally test the Odyssey against other minivans, but there are some parallels drawn to its competitors within the body of the article. Still, this is a fairly detailed general review of the 2008 Honda Odyssey’s features and performance, and editors do provide easy-to-read pros and cons of purchasing an Odyssey minivan.

4. CarCritic.com
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2008 Honda Odyssey Review
Don Vorderman

Rather than going into detail about performance and features, CarCritic.com's Don Vorderman analyzes a vehicle's history and reputation among owners to come up with a quick assessment of each model. He names the 2008 Honda Odyssey one of the two best minivans on the current market (his other choice is the Toyota Sienna).

5. Cars.com
2008 Honda Odyssey Review
Editors of Cars.com
Oct. 2007

This review offers little in the way of class comparison, but provides useful information on the standard and available features on the 2008 Odyssey minivan.

6. Consumer Guide.com
2008 Honda Odyssey Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

Though ConsumerGuide.com’s reports of road testing can be difficult to decipher since the analysis is reported in numerical rather than narrative form, they do provide a wealth of information on pricing and specs for each model. Editors also choose a list of top picks for each model year; the Honda Odyssey minivan receives a “Best Buy” designation for 2008.

7. Edmunds.com
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT vs. 2007 Honda Odyssey Touring
John Pearley Huffman
Sept. 2, 2007

The redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan is pitted against the perennial Edmunds favorite, the Honda Odyssey. Both minivans are evaluated on aspects of performance and design such as power, comfort, maneuverability and quality. Here the Honda edges out the Dodge Grand Caravan, which looks poised to challenge the Odyssey’s market position this year. The Odyssey tested was a 2007 model, rendering this review slightly less relevant to the 2008 minivan market, but it still provides a thought-provoking preliminary analysis of how the Odyssey may fare against the updated Chrysler minivans.

Also see full report: Minivans

2008 Honda Odyssey Review