2005 Honda Odyssey LX from North America - Comments

Nothing so far; brand new 2005 model.

Seems to be a good vehicle, then again it is brand new. Only time will tell. We purchased base model due to price. We figured we would not miss automatic sliding doors, automatic locks (that lock when shifting from Park to Drive) and automatic on/off lights.

The good part is this is one of the few vans that has side air bags for around $24,000 USD. The base model does have very good base features for the price; but--looking back we might have spent the extra $3000 or so for the next model up.

Other than that we are happy with the van. We only have 500 miles so far.

Only issue we've noticed is it seems the doors need to be shut a bit harder than anticipated to get the "door ajar" light to go out. This may be just the vehicle getting worn in. We'll see...overall no complaints...

Re-designed model new for 2005.

We purchased LX model, chose over Toyota Sienna and new Saturn Relay due to price for safety features.

Good basic safety features for price.

Wished we might have purchased "next model up" for a few nice features we are missing (power doors, automatic headlights and doors).

Can any of you newer Odyssey owners comment on the gas mileage issue?

To the owner getting 16.1 mpg: I would try some Shell gasoline and see what you get, then start talking again. Perhaps trying a mid grade might also help some, but the car supposedly doesn't need premium. You could try all three and see what you get with each. You might be surprised! You have to balance the cost versus the mileage you get. Make sure your tires are at the proper psi levels also. You could also try jacking up the car and seeing if each wheel spins relatively freely or not. If it doesn't, you could complain to the dealer about that. Dragging brakes can hurt your mileage. Some brake drag may be inherent with disk brakes, as they self adjust.

Regards,

Andy Goetz

Hi,

We just went from a 2002 Odyssey to a 2006. I am SO unhappy with the 2006. We do like some of the new 'toys', but the gas mileage is way lower (don't believe the window sticker info), the middle seats do not go together... so the 'bench seat' option is not really there anymore and between the seats is just left exposed with hooks and all, just the size for little feet, legs and french fries to go into! The back cargo area is not as wide (our wagon now does not fit in the van) and the brakes seem really much 'softer', not a good safe feeling. There are a ton of other things I miss from my old van, like the change holder is now gone, the seats do not seem as comfortable, the inside plastic molding areas seems to scratch a lot easier, the headliner is cheap looking and the antenna being in the window has caused bad radio reception. We even have to now take a boom box to the drive in to get reception! The front doors also seem difficult to get shut, you really have to slam them, and the sliding doors have to really have a good pull on the outside handle to get the door to open, we have had numerous people think they were locked only to have to tell them to pull harder (and they are auto doors!). Just thing after thing. I was in actual tears with the dealership, if I could, I would go back to my 2002 in a heart beat, even with the fact we got all the bells and whistles on the 2006 (sensors, back up camera, auto hatch and doors, navigation system... the works), I would still go back to my 2002! I really don't like this 'new' model. And the tires on it (no flat) are a concern, the car comes with NO spare, they say you can go up to 125 miles on the 'flat', but what if you are in a more isolated area and there is not a dealership within that distance? Just not designed for our family uses and does not feel the same to drive. The brakes REALLY make me nervous, I don't even want to drive the thing. Oh, and if you want the higher end you have NO option you have to have a sun/moon roof (just hope that does not start leaking)!

Boo Hoo (after over $40,000)

California.

Update on our 2005 LX, I am the original author of this review. We now have 10,000 miles on the vehicle. After reading the other notes posted on mileage: we did start out with similar 16-17 mpg for the first 6000 miles; I think the A/C plays a big part in the mileage on the van as we just drove 1000 non-A/C miles this Thanksgiving and averaged 25 mpg. Also agree completely on the scratches--the interior scratches like crazy--so far after 10 months I'd say we have +50 scratches internally, just normal wear... no major hauling. I'm glad after all we stuck with the LX for the price @ $24K after a bit of haggling. I can live with some scratching on the base model--but agree if I had the $40K model I'd be a bit more cranky on the scratches. So our vote is the LX is a "keeper"--scratches and all. So far--no other issues...

To the original reviewer keep updating us please.

Update on the van--I wrote the original review. Now has 20,000 miles as of Sept 2006. Two minor issues to report. One was noisy brake pads--apparently Honda knows of the issue--we called and detailed the front brakes made much at times after heavy braking, when heated up. Example would be having seven adults in the van, using the brake on an inclined surface--example waiting to pull out into traffic flow. Honda replaced the front brake pads at 13,000 because of this. Other issue was battery, which went out (dead) at 18,500 miles while out on vacation. The battery shown "green" on the top, but would not start the vehicle. Other than that--no issues--trunk area is fairly scratched up (normal trip wear and tear), mileage is 19 around town.