Brand: Honda

Model: Odyssey

Body type: Performance MPV

In production: 1994-present

 

Few cars are as reliable as the Odyssey: With five generations of models since 1994 Honda has had time to iron out all the creases. Importantly, each generation of this model has evolved organically from the one before it: the Odyssey isn’t one of those cars like the Mitsubishi Delica or even the Honda Civic where the car bearing the name today has little to do with its first ancestor. In short, this is a car with a clear line of ascendancy but also one in which every rough edge has been reported and removed.
 

That said, the first generation, which was sold in the UK as the Honda Shuttle, looked as boring as its name suggests – a boxy 90s bus with square headlights and unremarkable styling. The fourth and fifth generations, meanwhile, are very eye-catching and a lot of Odyssey Absolutes get modded like the one shown above with wide rims, coilovers, spoilers and Mugen versions – not something that works with most family MPVs!
 

Of all the models we import, the Osyssey has sold the greatest number around the world. It was the top selling MPV in Japan for a while as well as in other markets such as Indonesia and Australia. It is still being sold in Japan right now, although there are plans to discontinue it when all Honda’s domestic plants convert to emission-free models only in time for 2040.
 

It has slightly less space than the Toyota Estima but it’s sleeker and has better fuel consumption. It also succeeds in the impossible task of being a capacious family wagon with a racey, unmistakably Honda front end. It certainly doesn’t scream ‘I’m a family man/woman now and all my dreams are dead’. Well, certainly not as much as a Vauxhall Zafira or a Peugeot Traveller…
 

Just like the Toyota Estima the Odyssey’s third-row seats fold down completely, although the Odyssey has no underfloor cavity to swallow them – but you can hardly tell. So there are 5, 6 or 7-seat options when setting out, and with all the remaining space available.
 

We mostly stock the fourth-generation Odyssey which ran from 2008 to 2012, in as high a spec as we can find. Most models have bells and whistles such as slide-away second row seating and rear seat entertainment options. The Absolute is the most high-performance model with 206 PS output, but there’s nothing wrong with the M Grade or Fine Spirit either.
 

When buying your Odyssey: Sit in it first. The Honda seat design isn’t for everyone and you’ll know after a ten-minute drive whether you could manage a jaunt of a couple of hours. The back seats have no such idiosyncracies.

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ALWAYS ASK TO SEE THE AUCTION SHEET
Private sellers may not have it, but an importer/dealer should ALWAYS have retained this in order to prove the vehicle's grade, along with any other important documents. We sell only 3.5 (good), 4 (very good) and 4.5 (excellent) grade imports. Be aware that anything rated RA has been repaired, and that anything rated R or unrated is equivalent to UK grades A,B,C or D (scrapped, insurance writeoff or what used to be known as class N).

 

A vehicle's history is effectively erased upon export, but most of it is there on the auction sheet. Make sure you see it, and ask for a copy if required. A dealer/importer reluctant to let you see the auction sheet on request should be a red flag!

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Insuring your Odyssey: Odyssey insurance has been offered by the following companies, but your circumstances will affect what you’re offered so shop around: Adrian Flux, Brentacre (recommended), Admiral, Mark Richard, Direct Line, Co Op, Green Light.
 

Battery: The Advanced 155XD is great for this car. You can also fit a Yuasa HSB053. Otherwise, fit any available 12V battery of dimensions L: 238mm, W: 129mm, H: 227mm (including terminals). Aim for 50Ah or greater. Terminals should be right-hand positive.
 

Parts: Many parts for the Odyssey are used also by the Honda Accord Type S, and so can be locally sourced. You should find parts you need on either eBay, Torque GT or Cox motor sports websites. Try Amayama. Genuine Honda parts can be sourced on  Impex  if you can wait for the parts to ship. And there’s always Croooober.
 

Tax: Your Odyssey is taxed at PLG rate of £325 per annum

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Community: Honda Odyssey UK Owners on Facebook can be useful but, compared to other car-specific groups this one can be quite scathing to people who don’t know very much about the model or JDM cars in general, which may be why the membership is quite low. And they mostly want to talk about who's managed to fit the biggest aftermarket wheels.