The 1997 Honda Odyssey in the United States is powered by a 2.2-liter inline-4 engine, typically paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 1997, the Odyssey represented Honda’s first-generation minivan lineup in North America. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine provided practical, reliable power suitable for family use, with most U.S. models equipped with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Market variations existed, but the 2.2L I4 was the standard heart for this year’s Odyssey.
Engine basics
Below is a concise reference of the key specifications for the 1997 Odyssey’s engine.
- Displacement: 2.2 liters
- Configuration: Inline-4 (I-4)
- Valvetrain: DOHC with 16 valves
- Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection (EFI)
- Power output: roughly 145 horsepower (varies slightly by market)
- Torque: roughly in the 128–139 lb-ft range (varies by market)
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic is standard in US models; manual transmissions were not offered in the U.S. Odyssey for that year
- Model year range: predominantly 1995–1998 for the U.S. first generation
These specifications reflect the typical setup for the 1997 Honda Odyssey in North America, designed to balance passenger comfort with everyday practicality.
Market variations and legacy
While the 1997 Odyssey in the United States used the 2.2-liter inline-4, some non-U.S. markets and later trims could differ slightly in tuning or equipage. In the broader Honda Odyssey family, subsequent generations shifted to different powerplants, most notably a 3.5-liter V6 beginning with the 1999 redesign, which marked a significant change in performance and drivetrain layout.
Note on later generations
Starting with the second generation (introduced for the 1999 model year), Honda moved to larger V6 powertrains for the Odyssey, offering more torque and smoother acceleration than the early 2.2-liter four-cylinder setup described above.
Summary
For the 1997 Honda Odyssey, the engine is a 2.2-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic transmission in the U.S. market. It provided reliable, fuel-efficient performance appropriate for a family minivan, with subsequent generations moving toward larger V6 powertrains for improved capability.