As my daughter enters her senior year of high school and her travel volleyball days come to a close, I find myself reflecting on the vehicles that helped get us there. The minivan—especially ones like this 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite—played a quiet but essential role in keeping our family moving, comfortable, and together.
The Odyssey has long set the bar in this segment, and the latest version doesn’t try to reinvent the formula. Instead, it builds on what already works, refining the experience with smart upgrades and a few thoughtful surprises.
Premium Cabin, Familiar Comforts
From the outside, the changes are subtle. A refreshed front end, updated grille, and refined lighting are easy to overlook. But step inside the Elite trim and it quickly becomes clear—this is still one of the most thoughtful, comfortable, and versatile cabins on the road.
The front seats are well-padded and wrapped in perforated two-tone leather with contrast piping. The ventilated cooling function stood out right away, especially considering how much I would’ve appreciated this feature during our recent road trip to Orlando in the Toyota Sienna, which didn’t have ventilated seats in the trim we drove. It’s one of those features you won’t think about during a short test drive, but you’ll feel the difference after a few hours behind the wheel in the summer heat.
Smart Interior Design and Tech
The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features worked seamlessly through the upgraded 9-inch touchscreen, and a new 7-inch digital display is positioned in front of the driver. Wireless phone charging is now standard, helping to reduce clutter at the front.
One of the more underrated wins came from how Honda handles the front-row console layout. The Odyssey uses seat-mounted armrests instead of building them into the center console. That meant when my wife needed something from the console during a drive, she could access it without requiring me to move my arm. It’s the kind of ergonomic design choice that becomes more noticeable the more you use it.
As for interior finishes—well, there was some debate in our house. My wife wasn’t a fan of the carpet mats, saying they reminded her of office carpet tiles. But I saw their practicality. They looked durable and seemed better suited to hide the spills and stains that are inevitable in a family vehicle. Over time, that’s the kind of design choice that pays off.
Magic Slide Seats Still Do It Best
Second-row functionality is where the Odyssey continues to shine. The Magic Slide seats are flexible, easy to adjust, and can even be removed if needed. The middle seat can double as a table when folded down or a footrest when in place, making the second row extremely versatile. On a quiet day this week, I folded it down to use it as a little table and took my lunch in the second row while parked in the deck at work. That ability to reconfigure the cabin to fit real life—whether it’s for kids, cargo, or just a midday break—is what still makes minivans like this the most functional vehicles on the road.
During our Orlando trip in the Sienna, which had second-row captain’s chairs, my daughter rode in the second row on the way there but chose the third row for the return trip because she wanted to stretch her legs across the bench. The Odyssey’s second-row setup offers flexibility to approximate both preferences depending on how you configure the Magic Slide seats.
That said, for families who want the best of both worlds—true leg-stretching comfort with premium lounge-style seating—the Kia Carnival SX Prestige might have the edge. Its “VIP lounge” second-row captain’s chairs are power-operated, fully reclining, and include deployable leg rests. While they lack the flexibility of a Magic Slide system, they offer a level of comfort more akin to a first-class flight experience. Depending on how you use your second row—whether it’s for versatility or relaxation—the Carnival’s layout could be worth considering.
Third-row passengers in the Odyssey also benefit from thoughtful touches, such as sunshades, climate vents, and now a USB-C port, for added convenience. Everything is laid out to make life easier on the road.
Rear Entertainment: Depends on Your Kids
The rear entertainment system in the Odyssey Elite features a large, high-resolution 12.8-inch screen. We didn’t use it during our time with the vehicle, and like a lot of families with teens, we’ve mostly moved on to personal devices and individual streaming setups. For families with younger kids, the integrated screen could still be a helpful tool—but it's no longer the essential road trip feature it once was.
Driving Experience and Drivetrain Advantage
Powering it all is the same tried-and-true 280-horsepower V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth, quiet, and powerful in a way that hybrid rivals like the Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid just can’t replicate. You lose out on fuel economy—the Odyssey gets 22 mpg combined—but you gain a more traditional driving experience with none of the buzzing or droning that can come from a hybrid system under load.
The Odyssey doesn’t offer all-wheel drive or a plug-in option like some competitors. However, in terms of ride quality, cabin usability, and intuitive design, it still feels like the most complete minivan on the market.
Final Reflections
Our days of packing up for tournament weekends may be coming to an end, but after spending a week with the Odyssey Elite, I was reminded just how much thought Honda has put into every detail of this van. It doesn’t chase trends or overcomplicate things. It focuses on what families actually need.
If this is the last minivan I test during my daughter’s high school years, it’s a fitting sendoff. Quiet. Comfortable. Capable. And just flexible enough to handle the chaos of everyday family life with ease.
It may not be flashy. But that’s never what made it great in the first place.
Buyer's Guide: 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite vs. Key Competitors
Each trim builds on the last, offering more comfort, tech, and convenience. The EX is a value-packed base, while the Elite provides a luxury experience with every available feature included. Choose based on what fits your family's budget, tech needs, and daily demands.
Families should consider how they’ll use their minivan: for flexibility and function, Odyssey leads. For fuel economy and all-weather travel, Sienna and Pacifica win on paper. For premium second-row comfort and upscale feel, Carnival takes the crown.
All four serve different types of families well—but the Odyssey continues to feel like the one most rooted in the reality of how people actually live.
