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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Honda Odyssey

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Honda Odyssey

Overview

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2008 Honda Odyssey Review

By KBB.com Editors

Dads will tell you the best vehicle to transport the wife and kids is a big, burly SUV, but Moms know better. Despite its less-than-macho image, the minivan is still the best family transport ever invented. Large sliding side doors make for quick and easy entries and exits, while a low and level cargo floor means minimal muscle is required when loading. If a minivan is in your future, there are a number of makes to choose from, and at the top of that list is the 2008 Honda Odyssey. Renowned for its spacious interior, powerful engine, comfortable ride and exceptional safety rating, the Odyssey leaves little room for criticism. About the only deterrent to purchasing an Odyssey may be its high price and limited availability.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you'd rather be driving a nice sedan but you have a family, a dog and a load of luggage to haul on vacation, the 2008 Honda Odyssey makes for a livable compromise. With all its nifty features, some of your friends may even think it's cool.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you don't like the traditional minivan look, about the only choices left are Nissan's spacey Quest or the sporty new Dodge Grand Caravan. Bargain shoppers may be put off by the high price tag and limited ability to deal.

What's New for 2008

The 2008 Honda Odyssey receives a major exterior freshening, with a new front and rear fascia, new wheels and a new, more fuel-efficient engine (EX-L and Touring). The interior gets a major makeover offering new fabrics and trim colors, as well as some new options.

Driving the Odyssey

Driving Impressions One of the goals of every new minivan is to deliver a car-like driving experience. If the car in that comparison is a large sedan, the 2008 Honda Odyssey succeeds...

on some levels and comes close on others. With plenty of horsepower and usable torque, the Odyssey moves quickly from a stop and easily merges with traffic. Once moving, the ride is smooth and well-controlled, even if rougher roads don't go unnoticed. While few will call its performance inspiring, the Odyssey brakes and corners with a capability some may find surprisingly good for a vehicle of its proportions, and the strong engine can get you quickly back to cruising speed.

Favorite Features

In-Floor Storage
A carpeted panel in the floor in front of the second-row seat lifts to reveal a compartment big enough to swallow the available eighth seat. When you need the room for something else, an optional Lazy Susan makes it easy to access items that might otherwise require a reach.

Comprehensive Safety Features
From Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Anti-Lock Brakes and Tire Pressuring Monitoring to help keep you out of trouble, to the Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body Structure, Active Front Head Restraints and a full complement of airbags to help protect you if trouble should occur, the Odyssey offers its occupants an extremely comprehensive set of safety features.

2008 Honda Odyssey Details

Interior

There are plenty of innovations worth noting inside the Odyssey, as well as a couple of surprises. Honda engineers have made the third-row seat more accessible, thanks to sliding second-row seats. The third-row seat is also split on a 60/40 bias and very easy to fold flat into the floor. The second row features power windows plus optional twin captain's chairs and a clever in-seat storage compartment (dubbed the PlusOne Seat by Honda). There are three sets of LATCH child safety seat anchors: Two on the outboard second-row seats and one in the middle third-row seat.

Exterior

Rather than pushing beyond the expected limits of minivan styling, the 2008 Odyssey emerges as a refined version of its former self. Honda's designers have conceived an Odyssey that is both sleeker and more sophisticated than the previous generation. The Odyssey's wide stance gives it a more secure visual stance. Appealing features such as available power sliding side doors and a power rear liftgate bolster the Odyssey's desirability.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Every 2008 Honda Odyssey (LX, EX, EX with Leather and Touring) includes the disappearing third-row seat, in-floor storage, CD player, dual-zone air conditioning (tri-zone in EX-L and Touring), power windows, keyless entry and cruise control. Standard safety features include frontal and side airbags up front, three-row side-curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control. The standard 3.5-liter VTEC engine gives way to a similar, higher-mileage i-VTEC engine with variable cylinder management (VCM) in the top two models.

Optional Equipment

Features available only on select trim levels or as stand-alone options include the stowable eighth seat, leather seating, power sliding doors, four-way power passenger seat, six-disc in-dash CD player, 360-watt stereo, Bluetooth hands-free communication link, memory-linked tilt-down side view mirrors (standard on Touring), more fuel-efficient i-VTEC engine with VCM, power moonroof, nine-inch rear DVD entertainment center, plus a navigation system with voice recognition and an integrated rearview camera with rearview mirror display. Available only on the premium Touring model are a power tailgate, memory driver's seat, power-adjustable pedals, front and rear parking sensors and a run-flat tire system.

Under the Hood

Until someone drops a V8 into a minivan, the Odyssey's 244-horsepower V6 is one of the most powerful engines in its class. The Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 is a solid piece of work. Strong, quiet and fairly fuel-efficient, its performance attributes are only enhanced by its bulletproof service and repair history. New for 2008 is the addition of Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) which, depending upon load, deactivates cylinders for improved fuel consumption.

3.5-liter V6
244 horsepower @ 5750 rpm (LX and EX)
241 horsepower @ 5700 rpm (EX-L and Touring)
240 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm (LX and EX)
242 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4900 rpm (EX-L and Touring)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 (LX and EX), 17/25 (EX-L and Touring)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Honda Odyssey vehicles for sale near you.

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2008 Honda Odyssey Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 597 Ratings for the 2005 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.0/10

Excellent Value Vehicle

By Happy Honda Owner (AZ) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 115,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything above"

Cons: "Little more acceleration"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my Odyssey new and it has been an excellent car. It hauls all 5 of us plus luggage and gets up to 25 mpg highway at 75+. Plenty of room for everyone, everyone has their own vent and light. I have had no major repair expensenses. Everything still works, no noises or squeaks."

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I have to say :"I have to say "I LOVE THIS VAN"! I

By buda (FL) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 80,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "leather, room, comfort and handling, very good mpg"

Cons: "did not get the rear door motor"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have to say :"I have to say "I LOVE THIS VAN"! I bought this van in 2010 w/30,000 miles on it and now have 80,000. This is a great van. I plan on keeping it till the wheels fall off. We have the EXL model with economy on the motor which saves gas. I traded a jeep liberty in on this one and the liberty had an oil leak from the main seal and AC problems with under 70,000 miles. That is to low of miles to have those problems. I feel like I traded up for quality and comfort."

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The Man Van -- roomy transport, great ride

By Soccer Mom (OR) on Monday, May 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Value, Turning Radius, Roomy Seats/Cargo, Drive"

Cons: "Some road noise"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We bought this van new from the dealer and it has been a great value for the price. We call it the Man Van because my husband and men have commented how they enjoy driving the Odyssey. The leg room in rear seats and the cargo space are awesome for 6 teenage boys with all their soccer gear. If you have to make a tight turn or a u-turn, you won't even believe you aren't driving a compact car--the turning radius is that good. We have followed every scheduled maintenance and never had a day's trouble--except that the original Honda battery barely made it to three years. All electronics have been dependable. We love this van."

3 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Beware! No spare!

By Minivan Mom (AL) on Sunday, May 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Roominess, comfort. Lots of space to carry items"

Cons: "Run flat tire system, handling, brakes"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Own the 2007 Touring. Dealership didn't disclose no spare, only run flat tires. Yes, we should have looked for the spare but exitement of new car, etc. Found out the hard way on a trip to Disney on a late Saturday afternoon that only dealerships can repair the flats. Michelin flat is only good for 80 miles, we were 100 miles from anybody. Brakes are a constant problem, dealership can never get them fixed. They make noise constantly. With Michelin announcing they will no longer support their run flat system we are moving away from this vehicle. It does have good features, roominess, comfort. Handling is so so. It is a love hate relationship. Sorry we are moving on."

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great family vehicle

By zgina (CO) on Monday, March 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 41,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "safe, comfortable, plenty of power, good MPG"

Cons: "not exactly sexy"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I'm on my second Odyssey. Leased them first and bought the second one outright. For such a comfortable, two wheel drive vehicle that has plenty of power....and with good snow tires it does great on snow and ice (even at 8,000 ft. where I live)this thing gets 22-26 MPG. I've had no mechanical issues. If you don't need all the gadgets and whistles, the LX is a great choice."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Best Van Ever

By Andrea (AZ) on Thursday, February 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 28,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have had Toyota Sienna's since 2001, and bought this Honda Odyssey in 2010 and it's the best van ever. I probabaly will never buy another Sienna. The Odyssey handles like a Cadillac. It turns so smoothly when making turns or U-Turns and rides amazingly. It doesnt even feel like your driving a van. It has so much power and when driving on the freeway, there isn't any shaking or trembling when going at higher speeds like I had with my Sienna. I love my van. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to buy a van for comfort, for convenience, especially for mom's with children. I feel so safe in this car, and I know my girls do too. What this van gives you in convenience, agility and comfort is well worth it."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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See all 597 reviews