The Odyssey has evolved
The Honda Odyssey first appeared in the American market in 1995. Back then, the Odyssey was based on the fifth-generation Accord and featured swing-out doors and modest dimensions that hardly screamed “minivan.” Fast-forward 30 years, and the Odyssey has grown in size, sophistication, and family-focused features, cementing its place as one of the go-to choices for parents who need a vehicle that can haul kids, gear, and everything in between.
I recently drove the 2025 Honda Odyssey and came away impressed with how it handled and with everything it had to offer. Are you looking for a family hauler that drives like a sedan? The Odyssey has you covered. Do you need a roving living room that will keep your kids occupied while you traverse the open road? The Odyssey can do that too. It even has a feature that allows you to yell at your kids from the driver’s seat without having to raise your voice. In that case, it’s safe to say that the Odyssey has everything you need to be a parent (aside from a parenting handbook), but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Here is my honest review of the 2025 Honda Odyssey.
Honda
The Odyssey has room for everyone (and then some)
Seating in the 2025 Odyssey is very comfortable. The front seat area is expansive, with plenty of head and legroom for the driver and passenger, while the second row has ample room for three across. The third row is surprisingly spacious as well, although it can be a little cumbersome to get back there. Fortunately, the second-row seats are highly configurable, as the middle seat can be removed to create captain’s chairs and the outboard seats can slide side-to-side, thanks to Honda’s “Magic Slide” functionality. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a vehicle that can comfortably seat up to eight passengers, the Honda Odyssey is what you seek.
Honda
There are kid-friendly features that actually matter
The real story of the Honda Odyssey’s interior is the number of family-friendly features it has. My Elite tester for the week came equipped with everything needed to keep your kids satiated until the next destination, including a massive 12.8-inch rear-entertainment screen with headphones, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a myriad of USB ports and outlets to keep everyone’s gadgets charged and connected. There were also a ton of cupholders to keep drinks off the floor.
Two standout features were the CabinWatch and CabinTalk. The former allows the driver to see the second and third rows on the infotainment system through the lens of a camera placed on the ceiling in the second row. The latter is a PA system that allows the driver to talk to everyone in the van through the speakers, so they don’t need to yell. However, yelling is sometimes a necessity. That said, I think these features would be helpful for parents with kids, since they would make it much easier to communicate or keep an eye on them without taking their eyes off the road.
Honda
The driving experience is better than you think, but it’s still a minivan
Under the hood of the Honda Odyssey is a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to propel your family of five down the road with ease. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the front wheels. Unlike the Odyssey’s competitors, like the Sienna, there is no all-wheel drivetrain or hybrid system to put it ahead of the pack in terms of technology. However, I will say that I like that Honda stuck to what has been working for them, despite the fact that using a V6 is a little old-school by today’s standards.
Regardless, the Odyssey provides a very smooth and comfortable ride that’s perfect for long road trips or short rides to run errands. It also handles pretty well, considering its long stature, and doesn’t feel like a boat, but it’s not that exciting to drive, so you can put your racing gloves away. All that is to say that the Honda Odyssey is a good option for parents, but it’s not something you would want to take on a joyride.
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It also has plenty of storage space
With all of that passenger room, it’s no secret that the Honda Odyssey would have a lot of cargo space. There are 32.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 86.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 155.8 cubic feet of space when all the seats are folded or removed. Speaking of folding seats, the third-row seats fold easily into the floor, which makes it easier to fit longer cargo into the van. Additionally, the powered sliding rear doors are a much-needed convenience, but I will add that they close slower than I would like. The rear cargo door opens and closes just fine, though.
Honda
There were a few little things that bugged me
Although it’s safe to say that the 2025 Honda Odyssey has everything a budding family needs to get down the road safely and with plenty of comfort, it still has its little annoyances. The climate control buttons take a minute to get used to, and while the infotainment menus are easy to use, there are plenty of icons to read and navigate through, which can be tough while driving. Also, although the seating configurations are handy, the second-row seats are a pain to take out and slide at times, and there is more road noise than I would expect considering the size of the car and the amount of sound deadening it has. Otherwise, there’s no denying that the Odyssey is still one of the best options in the minivan segment.
Final thoughts
Taking everything into consideration, the 2025 Honda Odyssey is perfect for families who prioritize space, comfort, and kid-friendly features over flashiness. You won’t find some of the tech wizardry in the Odyssey like you would in the Toyota Sienna, mainly the fancier drivetrain, but it gets the job done. Ultimately, the Honda Odyssey may have its quirks, and it’s not sexy, but it could be the most practical choice you make when it comes to hauling your family around.