Cars

2025 Honda Odyssey Review: Space, Comfort, and Reliability

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Honda Odyssey Review: Space, Comfort, and Reliability

The minivan segment may have shrunk over the years with the rise of SUVs, but families still demand practicality, comfort, and reliability—and the 2025 Honda Odyssey delivers all three in spades. Now in its fifth generation, the Odyssey has evolved into a refined family hauler that combines cavernous interior space, premium comfort features, and Honda’s legendary dependability. Whether you're shuttling kids to school, planning a weekend road trip, or commuting across town, the 2025 model continues to prove that minivans are far from obsolete.

Exterior Design: Subtle Refinement Meets Practicality

The 2025 Honda Odyssey maintains the sleek, modern aesthetic introduced in the previous redesign, with subtle enhancements that keep it fresh and competitive. Honda hasn't overhauled the exterior dramatically, but a few thoughtful updates enhance both style and functionality. The front fascia features a bolder interpretation of the brand’s chrome-wing grille, flanked by standard LED headlights and available fog lights. The sculpted hood and tapered roofline give the Odyssey a more dynamic profile compared to boxier minivans of the past.

Sliding rear doors remain a key feature, now with one-touch open and close functionality available across all trims. The power tailgate is standard on higher trims, making cargo access effortless. New for 2025 are updated alloy wheel designs and a couple of fresh exterior color options, including a sophisticated Mineral Gray Metallic that complements the Odyssey’s clean lines.

Despite its large footprint, the Odyssey manages a surprisingly aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient of just 0.31. This contributes not only to improved fuel efficiency but also to a quieter cabin and better stability at highway speeds. Overall, the exterior design strikes a balance between family-friendly practicality and modern sophistication.

Spacious Interior: Best-in-Class Cabin Comfort

Where the 2025 Honda Odyssey truly shines is inside. The cabin is engineered for maximum space, comfort, and usability, making it one of the most family-friendly interiors on the market. With seating for up to eight passengers, the Odyssey offers generous legroom, headroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. Even adults will find the third-row seats usable on longer drives—a rarity in this segment.

The Magic Slide® second-row seats remain one of the Odyssey’s most innovative features. Available on EX-L trim and above, these seats can slide side to side and forward and backward, allowing for easy access to the third row or creating a central walkway. Parents can place a child’s car seat in the middle position for safer access from the curb, or configure the cabin for maximum cargo and passenger flexibility.

Materials throughout the cabin have improved, with soft-touch plastics, available leather upholstery, and stitched accents on higher trims. The dashboard layout is clean and intuitive, with a driver-focused cockpit that puts controls within easy reach. Noise insulation has also been enhanced, with additional sound-deadening materials reducing road and wind noise for a quieter ride.

Advanced Technology and Infotainment

The 2025 Honda Odyssey comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen on base models, while the EX and above feature a larger 10.2-inch display. All models include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity. The system is fast, responsive, and features crisp graphics, making it easy to access navigation, music, and vehicle settings.

Upgrading to the Touring or Elite trims unlocks even more tech, including a premium 11-speaker Bose audio system, a built-in vacuum cleaner (HondaVac), and a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display and HDMI input. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk features are standout additions: CabinWatch uses an interior camera to let drivers monitor backseat passengers via the front display, while CabinTalk amplifies the driver’s voice through the rear speakers—perfect for keeping kids calm during long drives.

Wireless charging is now standard on most trims, and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi keeps passengers connected on the go. The digital instrument cluster on higher trims provides customizable driver information, while the head-up display projects speed, navigation, and safety alerts directly into the driver’s line of sight.

Powertrain and Performance: Smooth and Efficient

Under the hood, the 2025 Honda Odyssey continues with its proven 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain delivers ample acceleration for merging and passing, while maintaining a composed driving experience. Despite its size, the Odyssey handles corners with surprising agility, thanks to a well-tuned suspension and precise electric power steering.

Fuel economy remains competitive for the segment. The 2025 model achieves an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. These figures are impressive for a V6-powered minivan and reflect Honda’s focus on efficiency without sacrificing performance.

The Odyssey’s unibody construction contributes to a car-like ride quality, setting it apart from body-on-frame competitors. It feels more like a large crossover than a traditional minivan, with minimal body roll and a quiet, stable presence on the highway. Adaptive dampers on higher trims further enhance ride comfort by adjusting suspension firmness in real time based on road conditions.

Safety and Driver Assistance: Honda Sensing as Standard

Safety is a top priority for families, and the 2025 Honda Odyssey delivers with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. Every trim comes equipped with Honda Sensing®, a collection of advanced driver-assistance systems that include:

These systems work together to help prevent accidents, reduce driver fatigue, and improve overall confidence behind the wheel. For 2025, Honda has enhanced the responsiveness of the CMBS and LKAS, making them less intrusive and more natural in real-world driving scenarios.

Higher trims add even more safety features, such as a blind-spot information system, rear cross-traffic monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The camera displays offer excellent visibility when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces—especially helpful when dealing with child seats or bulky cargo.

The 2025 Odyssey has not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but based on the previous model’s top safety scores—including a 5-star overall NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS—the 2025 version is expected to perform exceptionally well.

Trim Levels and Pricing: Options for Every Family

The 2025 Honda Odyssey is available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Each trim builds on the last, offering more features, comfort, and technology. Here’s a breakdown:

LX (Starting at $37,495)

The base LX trim is surprisingly well-equipped, including Honda Sensing, LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. It’s an excellent value for families on a budget.

EX (Starting at $40,995)

The EX adds the 10.2-inch touchscreen, power sliding doors, push-button start, and a power driver’s seat. It’s a popular choice for those wanting a balance of features and price.

EX-L (Starting at $44,995)

The EX-L introduces leather-trimmed seats, second-row Magic Slide® seats, a power passenger seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. This trim elevates comfort and convenience significantly.

Touring (Starting at $48,995)

The Touring trim brings premium features like the HondaVac, CabinWatch, CabinTalk, and a 11-speaker Bose audio system. It’s ideal for tech-savvy families who want the best infotainment and cabin amenities.

Elite (Starting at $51,995)

The top-of-the-line Elite includes all available features: hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad. The Elite offers near-luxury levels of comfort and convenience.

Cargo Capacity and Practicality

One of the Odyssey’s strongest selling points is its cargo versatility. With all seats in use, there’s still 32.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row—enough for groceries, diaper bags, or several strollers. Fold down the third row, and cargo capacity jumps to 87.1 cubic feet. With both the second and third rows folded, the Odyssey offers a cavernous 144.2 cubic feet of cargo room.

The Magic Slide® second-row seats can be repositioned or removed entirely (on Touring and Elite trims), allowing for custom configurations. Need to haul a large piece of furniture? Remove the second-row seats and slide the third row forward for maximum length.

Additional storage solutions include under-floor bins, overhead console compartments, and multiple cupholders and USB ports throughout the cabin. The hands-free power liftgate makes loading and unloading easier, especially when your arms are full.

Family-Friendly Features That Set It Apart

The 2025 Honda Odyssey is engineered with real families in mind. Beyond the Magic Slide® seats and CabinWatch, it includes thoughtful touches that make everyday life easier:

The HondaVac, included on Touring and Elite trims, is a game-changer for active families. Mounted behind the rear seats, this built-in vacuum makes it easy to clean up crumbs, dirt, and spills without needing a separate device.

Reliability and Ownership Experience

Honda has long been synonymous with reliability, and the Odyssey continues that tradition. The 2025 model uses proven mechanical components, including the durable V6 engine and 10-speed transmission, both of which have demonstrated longevity in real-world use.

Consumer Reports and J.D. Power consistently rank Honda vehicles highly for dependability. While full data for the 2025 model isn’t yet available, the previous generation Odyssey earned strong reliability ratings, with few major complaints reported. Common issues like transmission problems seen in earlier models have been addressed in recent years, and current owners report high satisfaction with long-term ownership.

The Odyssey also comes with a comprehensive warranty package:

Maintenance costs are relatively low compared to competitors. Routine service intervals are well-documented, and parts are widely available. Honda’s maintenance minder system alerts drivers when service is due based on actual driving conditions, not just mileage.

How It Compares to the Competition

The 2025 Honda Odyssey faces competition from the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Kia Carnival. Here’s how it stacks up:

Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna

The Sienna is now a hybrid-only minivan, offering better fuel economy (36 mpg combined) but less power (243 hp). While the Sienna has excellent safety ratings and standard AWD, its infotainment system lags behind Honda’s in responsiveness. The Odyssey offers a more engaging driving experience and superior interior materials.

Honda Odyssey vs. Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica offers a plug-in hybrid version (Pacifica Hybrid) with electric-only range, a unique feature in the segment. However, its interior quality and resale value trail the Odyssey. The Pacifica also has a more complex Stow ‘n Go seating system, but many users find it heavier and less intuitive than Honda’s Magic Slide®.

Honda Odyssey vs. Kia Carnival

The Carnival stands out with its bold SUV-like styling and value-packed trims.