1995-1998 Honda Odyssey: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Ride
- Steering/handling
- Entry/exit
Cons
- Engine noise
- Acceleration (full load)
- Road noise
Vehicle Highlights
Honda became the last major automaker to issue a minivan, adding the Accord-based Odyssey after the 1995 model year began. About as long as a Mercury Villager or Nissan Quest, the most unique feature was its four sedan-style swing-open side doors--no sliding side door at all. Sole powertrain was a 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Offered in LX and upscale EX trim, Odysseys came with standard dual airbags and antilock disc brakes. Seating for seven was standard on the LX: two front buckets, a 3-place middle bench, and 2-place rear bench. The 2-place rear bench folds flush with the floor.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Honda Odyssey EX Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Honda Odyssey:
Isuzu began to market a similar Oasis minivan in January 1996, differing from the Odyssey mainly in its grille treatment.
1997 Honda Odyssey:
Variable-speed intermittent windshield wipers, body-colored mirrors, and redesigned alloy wheels were among the minor equipment alterations for the upscale EX Odyssey.
1998 Honda Odyssey:
Honda replaced the 2.2-liter engine with a larger 2.3-liter unit. Horsepower is up by ten, and automatic transmission remains standard. Other changes include a restyled grille and revised instrument panel with tachometer. Odyssey was completely redesigned for '99 with a V6 engine and dual sliding doors.
Our road test for the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Odyssey departs from the minivan herd by virtue of its fully independent suspension, versus beam-type rear axles for most of the competition. It corners with little body lean and has good stability. Ride quality is also commendable: steady and firm at highway speeds; smoothly absorbent and comfortable when traversing bumpy urban pavement. Braking is nearly faultless. Power from either the 2.2- or 2.3-liter engine is adequate, but the engines are loud when flooring the throttle. Also, when passing or engaging in quick sprints onto expressways, the Odyssey can feel underpowered. Gas mileage is great, more than 21 mpg in city/expressway driving. As in the Accord, Odyssey's automatic transmission delivers prompt shifts that are usually smooth. Full-throttle downshifts, on the other hand, can induce an unwanted lunge forward. Because the Odyssey minivan is three to five inches narrower than rivals, cargo space is somewhat limited. There's also little walk-through room. On the plus side, the rear seat easily folds flush, and it's an easy minivan to park. The interior features plenty of space for six, but an extra person in the center seat of the 7-passenger version could be squeezed. Rear entry/exit is somewhat hampered by doors that don't open as wide as they should. Driving position in the Odyssey is comfortable; visibility good all around. The dashboard is attractive and well-organized.
Value for the Money
Well-built, well-equipped, and likely to be reliable, Odyssey is worth a look--provided that it's big enough to meet your needs. Lack of a V6 and modest dimensions tend to limit its appeal, however, against the league-leading Chrysler minivans and Ford's Windstar.
Well-built, well-equipped, and likely to be reliable, Odyssey is worth a look--provided that it's big enough to meet your needs. Lack of a V6 and modest dimensions tend to limit its appeal, however, against the league-leading Chrysler minivans and Ford's Windstar.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Honda Odyssey EX Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Honda Odyssey includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Honda Odyssey .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Brake lights:
If an aftermarket security system is installed, brake indicator light may come on when the automatic transmission is placed in gear, and go off in neutral or park. (1995-97)
Cupholders:
The cigarette lighter/cupholder comes loose. (1995-96)
Engine noise:
A problem with the power brakes' vacuum-booster check valve causes a buzzing noise when idling in gear. (1995)
Fuel gauge:
The fuel gauge on some vehicles does not go all the way to "F" because the arm on the sending unit is too long. (1995)
Glovebox:
The glovebox door pops off because the latch assembly falls apart. (1995)
Oil leak:
Sudden oil loss and resultant severe engine damage could be the result of front balance shaft oil plug popping out. (1995-97)
Seatbelts/safety:
Seatbelts may not retract or may retract slowly. Also, the button that keeps the seatbelt tongue from sliding down breaks. The belts should be serviced under the Honda Lifetime Seat Belt Limited Warranty. (1995-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $510 |
| Alternator | $280 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $965 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $485 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $620 |
| Exhaust System | $510 |
| Radiator | $415 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $550 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $290 |
Our price chart for this generation Honda Odyssey details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1998 | |||
| Odyssey | $3,500-4,500 | $2,800-3,600 | $900-1,200 |
| 1997 | |||
| Odyssey | $2,900-3,800 | $2,200-2,900 | $700-900 |
| 1996 | |||
| Odyssey | $2,400-3,200 | $1,700-2,300 | $500-600 |
| 1995 | |||
| Odyssey | $2,000-2,800 | $1,400-2,000 | $300-500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Honda Odyssey include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door van | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 187.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.6 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3450 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 102.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.2 | |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.1 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.3 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 40.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Only one Odyssey powertrain was offered: a 2.2-liter, overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 3.2 / 140 | 150 | 152 | 4-speed automatic: 21/26 | 4-speed automatic: 21.3 |
| ohc I4 | 2.2 / 132 | 140 | 145 | 4-speed automatic: 20/24 | 4-speed automatic: 21.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Honda Odyssey include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1998 Odyssey |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1997-98:
Certain ball joints can wear out prematurely and, in worst case, would separate, causing front suspension to collapse.
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