[1] The Odyssey was conceived and engineered in Japan after the country's economic crisis of the 1990s, which constrained the vehicle's size and concept and dictated its manufacture in an existing facility with minimal modification.

[citation needed] Subsequent generations diverged to reflect market variations, and Honda built a plant in Lincoln, Alabama, United States, that could manufacture larger models.

[5][6] It was based on the Accord platform, with a 4-cylinder engine, all-disc anti-lock braking, all wishbone suspension, and a four-speed automatic transmission with a steering-column-mounted shifter and a hill-hold feature marketed as Grade Logic.

The design featured unibody construction,[7] dual airbags, dual gloveboxes, dual zone heating and cooling with 20 percent greater capacity than an Accord's system[7] (overhead rear fan-speed adjustment control, and main control switch over the front-seat passenger), conventional rear swing-open rather than sliding doors, and a third row seat that could fold and tumble into a compartment beneath the floor — the spacesaver spare tire carried inside, on the right, rear wall of the cabin.

The EX accommodated six passengers (using two removable second row captain's chairs in lieu of the bench) and offered additional equipment including a roof rack, alloy wheels, power driver's seat height adjustment, power moonroof, remote keyless entry system, fog lights (for later model years), body-colored side moldings and mirrors, map lights, and 200-watt AM/FM/cassette six-speaker audio system.

[2] In the course of developing the Odyssey, it became paramount to circumvent these obstacles and conceive a feasible interior package that could use existing manufacturing facilities with minimal investment.

[8] Odagaki conceived the idea of the third-row seat folding into a floor compartment, and he worked with his team to include a "center aisle."

Honda spokesman Mike Spencer stated that four-speed models were afflicted with a bad bearing that could break apart, scattering fragments of metal that clogged fluid passageways in the transmission, causing it to shift erratically.

The five-speed automatic was first installed in the Odyssey for the 2002 model, but general reliability of the 1999–2003 transmission was poor according to Consumer Reports.

As the clutch friction material abraded, it scattered bits inside the transmission case, clogging fluid lines and causing erratic shifting.

The Touring trim level was new for this generation, being the most feature and luxury package, incorporated features such as special "Touring" badging right below the "Odyssey" logo, run-flat tires, power tailgate, power adjustable pedals, memory seats, and chrome tailgate and sliding door interior handle trim.

Some notable features of the redesign were dual glove boxes and an in-floor lazy susan storage compartment, located in the previous generation's spare tire well.

[24] Engine power was increased to 255 hp (190 kW) (re-rated to 244 hp (182 kW) by the new SAE J1349 guidelines, and used in 2006+ model descriptions), the EX-L and Touring models comes with i-VTEC engine that includes Honda's cylinder deactivation system called Variable Cylinder Management or VCM.

[26] Models equipped with i-VTEC and VCM engine (EX-L and Touring) uses a H5 transmission with lower ratio for fourth and fifth gears, boosting acceleration during high-speed travel.

Leather trimmed steering wheel and shift knob was added to all EX-L models, which was previously available only on the Touring.

Tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a center pocket coin holder and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) was added on all trim levels.

The backup camera, previously only included with Navigation System models, was integrated into the rear-view mirror of the non-navigation EX-L. Touring models featured full Bluetooth support for all Bluetooth-equipped devices, made Navigation System a standard feature, updated the design and font of the special badging to the one still used as of the fifth generation, and moved it to the right side of the back door.

The DX lacks features such as the "Second-Row Plus One Seat with storage", conversation mirror with sunglasses holder, tinted glass, roof rails, and has black body moldings.

In the United States, for the 2010 model year, the DVD Entertainment System was added as an option for the EX trim alongside the EX-L.

Honda presented the 2011 Odyssey Concept in early 2010 at the Chicago Auto Show and officially released it for sale on June 17, 2010; with a larger, wider body, a lower roofline and revised styling.

[37] The SE trim positioned between EX and EX-L,[38] was initially limited to the Canadian market but was made available in the US by the 2016 model year.

[42] The fifth generation Odyssey was unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in January,[45] Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) began production on April 26,[46] sales followed on May 25 as a 2018 model.

Also utilizes the latest generation of Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which is constructed using advanced materials including ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium that minimizes weight to up to 75 lb (34 kg) and improve torsional body rigidity up to 44% from the previous generation.

For the 2018 model year, the EX trim and above feature the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment.

The LaneWatch camera housed in the passenger side-view mirror is replaced for by a Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Cross Traffic Monitor.

Touring and Elite models include CabinWatch day/night video monitor, CabinTalk in-car PA system, 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, a 10.2-inch Rear Entertainment System (RES) with Blu-ray and streaming video, hands-free power tailgate, heated steering wheel, LED accent lighting.

[51] In the IIHS' updated Moderate Overlap test, which now emphasizes rear occupant safety, the 2023 Odyssey received a Poor rating.

The front fascia features larger black fog light surrounds and the redesigned rear bumper integrates the same vertical reflectors used on the second-generation Acura NSX supercar.

[20] At the Odyssey's European launch, where it was marketed as the Shuttle, British ex-Grand Prix driver Jonathan Palmer described its handling as equal of any "executive sedan".

[3]The Odyssey has received numerous awards since its inception, winning both Car and Driver's "5 Best Trucks" and Consumer Reports' "Top Pick Minivan" several times.