Gallery
Pros
Cons
The minivan market may be small, but there's often a tit-for-tat in the segment that sees automakers offering more features to one-up their competition.
For example, the Toyota Sienna used to be the only conventional hybrid in the segment, and then along came the Kia Carnival and its optional gas-electric powertrain. The Chrysler Pacifica is still the only one offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), plus the gas-only version has second- and third-row seats that tuck into the floor to maximize interior room for cargo or passengers.
When it comes to the 2025 Honda Odyssey, there’s little fanfare. It comes in one configuration: front-wheel drive and a V6 under the hood, and seemingly little to no fancy features. But then there’s nothing wrong with skipping frills in a family hauler like this one.
Styling 7 / 10
Minivans aren’t exactly head-turning vehicles. Maybe they can spur a conversation with the right parent, but it's unlikely kids will be plastering their bedroom walls with posters of the Odyssey. That doesn’t mean it’s ugly, and much like a pickup truck, form follows function instead.
It has a sort of egg-shaped profile that emphasizes the interior space. The shoulder line drops between the back windows to hide the sliding door rail. The hood also sports a somewhat muscular curve, although there’s nothing muscular hiding underneath. The Black Edition trim tested here has plenty of its namesake accents, including 19-inch wheels, as well as the badges, and the spoiler.
The cabin is where a minivan makes its best impression, and the Odyssey offers an interesting take. It feels very airy due to its large windows. The occupants up front are treated to a nice, horizontal dash with easy-to-reach controls for both the driver and passenger, while the rear seats get a good view of a fold-down entertainment system. The Black Edition includes red ambient lighting and embossed headrests. It also has red stitching on the faux-leather upholstery.
Safety 8 / 10
The 2025 Honda Odyssey may offer subdued styling, but when it comes to safety, there are no compromises. Every trim comes with a fully loaded list of advanced features including automatic high-beam control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder.
The warning alerts are all intuitive. They don’t interfere with everyday driving, and their sensitivity can be adjusted. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2025 model a Top Safety Pick rating, with the only concern being poor results in the newly updated moderate front overlap crash test. The only other minivan with a similar rating at this time of this writing was the 2025 Toyota Sienna, which also received a Top Safety Pick award.
Features 9 / 10
More than just safety equipment comes standard on the Odyssey — there are plenty of comfort and convenience features included even in the base trim. A heated steering wheel, heated front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, and a power sunroof are included in the cheapest trim, while pricier ones get ventilated front seats and a memory function for the driver's seat.
The list of family-friendly features is even more impressive, with standard second-row sunshades along with an in-vehicle system that broadcasts the driver’s voice through the rear speakers. The rear-seat entertainment system is also standard, but other features like the third-row sun-shades and in-cabin camera system are exclusive to higher trims.
User-Friendliness 7 / 10
One low point inside is the nine-inch infotainment screen. Given the size of the vehicle and the width of the dash, a bigger display would be more appropriate. The system also looks and operates with an air of antiquity. It does, however, offer the right amount of features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as built-in navigation in pricier trims. Unfortunately, only Android Auto supports wireless functionality, while Apple CarPlay is wired.
The Odyssey comes with a standard 12.8-inch rear entertainment screen which folds up into the headliner when not in use. It lacks any kind of built-in content or platform, but rather supports wireless device projection — think streaming services like Netflix from a smartphone — and HDMI connectivity for a gaming console. (The system in the Pacifica has built-in Amazon Fire TV streaming.)
Practicality 9 / 10
Both rear rows have three seat belts, meaning the Odyssey technically offers space for eight occupants, though the ones in the back would be pretty close to one another. However, like the Honda Pilot sport utility, the middle seat in the second row is removable.
The third-row seats fold flat into the floor, expanding the cargo area from 923 L to 2,452 L. Since Chrysler has a patent on stashable second-row seats, the ones here have to be removed to open up the full 3,973 L of room. Finally, there are plenty of storage cubbies around the cabin, making it easy to tidy up or keep road trip essentials like wipes, snacks, and toys at hand.
Comfort 7 / 10
Thanks to the airy feel of the cabin, the Odyssey presents a very habitable place to spend time. That's ideal, because minivans are more than just transportation to and from school and extracurricular events — they’re also a great way to road trip with the family. In addition to feeling spacious, the seats are plush and soft, although that’s less ideal during long road trips, which can leave occupants feeling a little sore and stiff.
The second-row seats are solid, especially with the added elbow room from removing the middle seat. They can easily accommodate adults and teens, and even bulky infant safety seats, without any concerns. The third-row seats are simply fine and feel a bit cramped, with limited legroom.
Power 7 / 10
Motivating the 2025 Honda Odyssey is a 3.5L V6 engine that puts out 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The motor is matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which then drives the front wheels.
It's a smooth motor and a fine transmission, though anyone who has driven the competition will find more to say about their powertrains. The Honda lacks the quiet, fuel-sipping operation of a hybrid, and isn’t at all powerful or exciting. However, it gets the job done, and that’s enough. Getting up to speed is easy if a bit loud at times, and the same is true when passing. It’ll get the job done, although it won’t seem like a natural move for this big van.
Driving Feel 7 / 10
Ride quality is a highlight, and the Odyssey tackles imperfect pavement without many complaints. It shrugs off potholes and cracks in the road and is easy to drive in traffic despite its immense size. Considering how big it is, the Odyssey is relatively easy to drive, and rather than feeling cumbersome it can slip in and out of traffic without much worry. Contributing to that feel are the large windows and good seating position, which help keep the driver aware of everything around the vehicle. Though the steering can feel a bit light, it's perfectly fine in this application.
Fuel Economy 6 / 10
The Odyssey is rated to burn 12.2 L/100 km in the city, 8.5 on the highway, and 10.6 combined. While this tester was riding on winter tires, it was a struggle to get anywhere near those numbers in mixed driving conditions, with an indicated average closer to 13.0 L/100 km.
Value 6 / 10
Another point of contention with this van is its price. The entry-level Sport trim comes in at $51,920 before tax but including a $2,000 freight charge, while the range-topping Black Edition will set you back $62,120. While the Pacifica and Sienna cost about the same with similar equipment, the gas-powered Carnival is much cheaper.
The Verdict
Well-equipped and spacious are the bare minimum for a minivan to be competitive these days. The 2025 Honda Odyssey may lack headline-grabbing features like a hybrid powertrain or all-wheel drive, but it makes up for it with solutions like its easily removable middle seat and an excess of standard features. The Odyssey could be considered simple, but it's more than enough for most families.
