2027 Honda Odyssey

What does it truly mean to be a family car? Some might say anything with three rows of seats is a good-enough family hauler, but the Honda Odyssey begs to differ. This living room on wheels is an exercise in space efficiency and clever engineering, creating a family cruiser that’s simply a pleasure for every occupant, including the driver. While hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive (AWD) are becoming popular options in this class, the Odyssey sticks with a tried-and-true V6, and the fact that it only comes with front-wheel drive (FWD) is part of what makes it one of the roomiest minivan options. As if it weren’t practical enough, the Odyssey boasts an above-average resale value, enhancing its position as one of the most sensible automotive purchases one can make.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of minivans, including the Honda Odyssey.

This generation of the Honda Odyssey has received two refreshes since its debut back in 2018. Its most recent is from 2025 with revised styling and updated infotainment tech. There are no notable changes for the 2027 model year.

The Honda Odyssey has a relatively high starting price because it gradually trimmed away its lower LX and EX trims, leaving the well-equipped EX-L as the base model. The Odyssey is priced close to the premium-leaning Chrysler Pacifica, while the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival have lower starting prices.

The sole engine option in the 2027 Honda Odyssey is a 280-horsepower V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its performance is par for the course compared to the Chrysler Pacifica and the nonhybrid version of the Kia Carnival. Its more efficient hybrid rivals (Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival Hybrid) come with a trade-off; better fuel economy and pokier performance. Not that blistering drag strip times are important to the average minivan shopper, but more power means more confident acceleration when the van is full of passengers and cargo. This is a strong suit of the Odyssey; the growling V6 never lets us down in an on-ramp hustle, even when every seat is occupied.

Suspension, steering, and braking are all pleasant and predictable. As is often the case with a Honda, the Odyssey leans on the, dare we say, sportier side of its class. This is partly because minivans keep getting taller and more SUV-like, which compromises handling. But the Odyssey still sits relatively low, giving it driving dynamics similar to a big wagon, since that’s effectively what it is. Some minivans offer a more serene ride, but we think the Odyssey strikes a terrific balance between comfort and agility.

Powertrain

As is the case with all minivans, the interior is the Honda Odyssey’s biggest strength. This expansive interior offers more space than a similarly priced midsize 3-row SUV and even more third-row legroom and cargo space than the average full-size SUV.

There isn’t a bad seat inside the Honda Odyssey, even for grown-ups. It has 40.9 inches of second-row legroom and 38.1 inches of adult-friendly third-row legroom. That’s class-leading second-row legroom and above-average third-row legroom, compared to minivan rivals.

The total cargo space with the third row folded down and the second row removed is 140.8 cubic feet. That’s just a hair behind the class-leading Kia Carnival with 145.1 cubic feet of total cargo room. With the third row folded flat into the floor, the Odyssey boasts generous cargo room behind the second row with 86.6 cubic feet of room, and there’s 32.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row. All of that to say, it comfortably hauls strollers and groceries while all eight seats are in place without ever feeling cramped.

An Odyssey feature that none of its rivals have is the Magic Slide second-row seats. With the second-row middle seat removed, the captain’s chairs can slide sideways. You can put them right next to each other in what Honda calls “Buddy Mode,” creating easy entry and exit to and from the third row.

If you’re in the cohort of car shoppers who think screens are getting too darn big, you’ll appreciate the relatively modest 9-inch infotainment screen in the Odyssey, which features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The driver information center has a 7-inch digital display beside an analog speedometer. All of the controls are easy to read and reach, and there’s a nice opening between the two front seats, which can fit a big purse or a small garbage can.

Magic Slide seats
This is the killer app of the Honda Odyssey. Every trim comes as an 8-seater with a removable middle seat in the second row. With that seat out, the second-row captain’s chairs can easily slide sideways, giving the Odyssey the most easily accessible third row of anything we’ve driven. If you’ll have kids climbing in and out of the third row every day, this could be a crucial selling point for the Odyssey.

CabinWatch/CabinTalk
Standard on the Touring and Elite trims, these features make it easy to monitor and communicate with the kids in the back. Use CabinWatch to check on your baby in the rear-facing seat, or use CabinTalk to deliver a message to the cherubs in the third row without using your dad voice.

Elite trim
Since no luxury brands market minivans in the U.S., something like a loaded Honda Odyssey Elite is the most premium minivan experience you can get in the States. It delivers a genuinely premium interior without compromising on practicality, with features like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium audio system, and a rear entertainment system.