2005 Honda Odyssey Review: Absolutely the Best 2005 Minivan for the Price, Maybe the Best Overall

The 2005 Honda Odyssey runs neck and neck with the Toyota Sienna on fuel economy, performance, and interior comfort and convenience. And it sells for around one or two thousand dollars cheaper, making it the obvious choice for best value.

Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 9/10 – The 2005 Honda Odyssey is simply one of the best used minivans on the market today. The Toyota Sienna does some things slightly better, but you’re splitting hairs at that point.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The only real complaint here is that the road noise may be a bit loud for some drivers. Other than that, this is one of the most comfortable, spacious, and versatile cabins in the minivan market for any model year.
• Reliability 8/10 – Even if the previous owner was a bit lax about maintenance, you’ll probably hit a quarter million miles with no major repairs.
• Safety 8/10 – Anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard, and rearview cameras are an option, a rarity in 2005. But, a side impact warning from the NHTSA costs the Odyssey a point.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – 19/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway, makes the Odyssey one of the most efficient 2005 minivans on the market.
• Value 9/10 – The 2005 Odyssey is probably the best deal you’re going to find in the used minivan market today. The only reason it doesn’t score a perfect ten is because it’s a seller’s market.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Honda Odyssey?

Consumer Reports had few complaints for the “well-rounded” Honda Odyssey, praising the agile handling and versatile, spacious interior. Their one complaint: Road noise is a bit loud.

Kelley Blue Book users give the Odyssey a strong 88% recommendation, praising the long-lasting engine and transmission, the roomy interior, and the comfortable ride. A few drivers found the braking a bit wimpy and some of the interior features, like the stereo, to be of lower quality.

Edmunds had nothing but praise for the van itself, raving about the carlike handling, fold-flat bench seating, powerful V6, and strong track record for reliability. The closest thing they had to a negative remark had to do with strong demand driving the prices up.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Honda Odyssey Have?

Structure complaints make up 138 out of 824 total complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A leading issue sees the sliding door falling off the track and getting stuck in the open or shut position. Faulty power liftgates were recalled in 2010, but sliding doors have not been recalled.

A recall was issued in 2005 for the Odyssey’s front airbag impact system, which could fail at critical moments leading to delayed airbag deployment. Airbag complaints have persisted as late as early 2021, with drivers reporting airbag lights staying on.

There are 99 steering complaints on file, mostly in regards to sudden loss of steering control. A recall was issued for this problem in 2005, but complaints have continued to roll in as late as 2022.

The 2005 Honda Odyssey has 9 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is within reason for a nearly twenty year old minivan.

How Long Will the 2005 Honda Odyssey Last?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey has been reported to last a minimum of 200,000 before the more expensive repairs start to pile up, and this is for models that have skipped a few oil changes. With excellent maintenance it’s not unusual to see a Honda Odyssey pass 300,000, even 400,000 miles. Expect 250,000 in a used Odyssey.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $547, with new powertrain control modules being the most expensive common fix, starting at around $1,151.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is pretty good for a 2005 minivan. CD players come standard, and the high-end models include a 6-disc CD changer with seven speakers.

Safety technology is better than you expect for 2005. Anti-lock brakes and full airbags with occupant sensors come standard, and rearview cameras are offered as an option, something that was almost unheard of at the time.

Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey a Good Value?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey is arguably the best 2005 minivan overall, and certainly the best used minivan for the price. An entry-level LX lists for around $5,227, while the high-end Touring model lists at just a couple hundred dollars more than that, for around $5,425.

Add low cost of ownership to that, with maintenance being fairly inexpensive and fuel economy being better than you expect for a 2005 minivan, and you’ve got one of the best deals on the market today.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Honda Odyssey?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey is available in four trim levels, from the base LX to the high-end Touring.

With the entry-level LX you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Manual air conditioning with separate
• AC for the rear
• Remote keyless entry
• CD player
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control

Next up is the EX, adding:

• Heated mirrors
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
• Driver lumbar support
• 6-disc CD changer
• Power sliding doors

The mid-range EX-L adds:

• Leather seating
• Heated front seats
• Power sunroof

Finally, the top-of-the-line Touring features:

• Fog lights
• Optional rearview camera
• Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

What Engines Come In the 2005 Honda Odyssey?

• The 2005 Honda Odyssey comes packed with a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 250 lb.-ft. of torque and 255 horsepower. The engine is paired to a 5-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive, and it averages 19/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway. Towing capacity taps out at just 3,500 so you can tow small trailers but not much else.

What Colors Does the 2005 Honda Odyssey Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey is one of the more comfortable used vehicles on the road today. With 57 inches of rear hip room there are bigger minivans out there, but you won’t really notice the difference. The ride is smooth, and the layout maximizes the interior space.

There are very few suspension complaints on file, so the suspension has held up nicely over the years. But, you always want to check the shocks and struts when buying used. Hit a few speed bumps and see how the minivan performs.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Honda Odyssey Have?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey starts out with 38 cubic feet of storage space, and that can be nearly quadrupled to 147 cubic feet when you fold the seats down, offering 4 by 8 feet of floor space.

Inside the cabin you’ll find plenty of pockets, slots, and cupholders, so you won’t have any issue packing your tablet, phone, book, coffee, or whatever it is you like to bring onboard with you.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey was the first model year for the minivan’s 3rd Generation, running from 2005 to 2010.

2002: The biggest difference between the 2001 and 2002 Odyssey came down to 30 extra horsepower, with some under-the-hood tweaks bringing the 2002 edition up to 240.

2003: One-touch up/down windows were the only big change for 2003.

2004: No big changes for 2004, as Honda were phasing the 2nd Generation out for the 3rd Generation at this point.

2005: The 3rd Generation Odyssey wasn’t so much a dramatic redesign as it was a top-to-bottom improvement. It’s 15 horsepower stronger, it’s more fuel efficient, and the ride is smoother.

2006: DVD navigation systems were made standard in the Touring edition for 2006.

2007: Tire monitoring systems were added for 2007. No big changes otherwise.

How Does the 2005 Honda Odyssey Compare to the Competition?

The 2005 Honda Odyssey and the 2005 Toyota Sienna may well be tied for best minivan of the year. But, the Sienna typically costs one to two thousand dollars extra for roughly the same performance.

A 2005 Chrysler Town & Country is a clearly inferior vehicle. Interior features are a bit stingy, with most of the good stuff hiding in the higher trims, and it’s not as efficient as an Odyssey or a Sienna. But it typically lists in the $4,000 range, a thousand dollars cheaper than a comparable Odyssey.

The 2005 Honda Odyssey is maybe the best minivan released in its model year, and definitely the best for the price.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Honda Odyssey?