I’ve got the pinnacle of mom cars on deck today! Minivans of any kind are some of my favorite cars to recommend to families, but I especially love the Honda Odyssey because of what it’s brought to the table year after year. With its new redesign for 2025 (although it’s incredibly minor), the question stands: is it family-friendly?

If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom, and as a mom of four and car enthusiast, I’m here to help you figure out if the Honda Odyssey could be the right fit for your family.

Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!

2025 Honda Odyssey Highlights:

The redesign is incredibly minor. All you get is a new grill, new wheels, and a bigger infotainment system.
The 2025 version still does not come in a hybrid option. It is now the ONLY minivan on the market that falls behind in this category.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is not offered as an option either.
The second and third rows are still one of the best options out there when it comes to a flexible car seat setup. I don’t think it’s ever met a car seat it couldn’t accommodate.
The trunk space (as always) is incredible!

To see a breakdown of each minivan on the market, check out my Minivan Showdown here!

2025 Honda Odyssey Exterior

From the outside, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the 2025 Odyssey apart from last year’s model. The redesigned grille and wheels give it a slightly fresher look, but it’s nothing groundbreaking. If you’re hoping for a bold new design or significant changes, this isn’t the year for that.

Honda gave the Odyssey a HUGE redesign in 2017 and while we see refreshes when a new calendar year starts, you can expect the same solid family car from 2017 on (just with a few cosmetic tweaks depending on the specific year). For those interested in the Odyssey, this is a car I highly recommend shopping the pre-owned market for. You get all the incredible offerings it has for families, but at a more affordable price.

2025 Honda Odyssey First Row

The first row is all about practicality and comfort. The door panels are packed with storage options—cubbies, cup holders, and even a door-mounted cup holder that’s surprisingly handy. The open bridge-style center console is another standout feature. Unlike competitors like the Toyota Sienna or Kia Carnival which have fully connected consoles, Honda keeps this area open, creating extra storage space underneath for bags or other items. It also gives the cabin a more spacious feel.

Comfort-wise, the Elite trim I had as a press car comes with heated and ventilated two-tone seats that feel upscale and supportive for long drives. Adjustable armrests are another nice touch—they’re simple but effective and keep things feeling like a classic minivan instead of trying to mimic an SUV. Storage in the first row is excellent, with plenty of compartments and cup holders, wireless charging capabilities, and even ports for rear entertainment systems.

Infotainment System

The infotainment system has been updated with a slightly larger 9-inch screen this year. While it’s an improvement, it still feels small compared to what some other family cars offer today.

The system includes family-focused features like CabinWatch and CabinTalk. CabinWatch uses an interior camera to let you see what’s happening in the second and third rows—though its quality isn’t as sharp as similar systems in competitors like the Kia Carnival or Chrysler Pacifica. CabinTalk projects your voice through speakers or headphones in the back rows so you can easily communicate with passengers without shouting. While I think these tech upgrades are cool, the screen really should be larger.

2025 Honda Odyssey Second Row

The second row is where the Odyssey really shines for families and makes it one of my go-to recommendations.

Starting off strong, Honda’s Magic Slide seats are a game changer—they move forward-backward and side-to-side on tracks, making it easy to access the third row even when car seats are installed. What sets these seats apart is that their seat belts are attached directly to them, so you can still use Magic Slide whether car seats are installed with LATCH or seat belts.

Car seat compatibility is one of the Odyssey’s biggest strengths. It can handle multiple car seats in various configurations better than just about any other car on the market. Built-in sunshades add comfort for passengers, while generous legroom ensures everyone has enough space.

The only downside is that the air vents aren’t on the ceiling—they’re on the side panels instead. While this placement is better than having vents in the center console (as seen in some SUVs), ceiling-mounted vents would provide better airflow throughout the cabin.

2025 Honda Odyssey Third Row

The third row of the 2025 Honda Odyssey is just as great as the second row. With two tether anchors back here, this level of versatility is incredible for families with kids at different car seat stages or when transporting extra passengers.

Another thoughtful touch is the removable headrests in the third row, which is a rarity in a ton of cars on the market. This feature makes it much easier to install forward-facing car seats or high-back boosters without interference—something that’s often an issue in competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, where fixed headrests can cause compatibility problems.

Passengers in the third row aren’t left out when it comes to comfort and convenience. Built-in sunshades help block out glare, while cup holders and USB charging ports on both sides ensure everyone has what they need for longer trips. Side-panel air vents provide ventilation, though ceiling-mounted vents would have been more effective for better airflow distribution.

Lastly, I want to mention the wide aisle leading to the third row which makes it easy to get in and out even when managing kids or bulky items. Overall, I really couldn’t ask for anything more back here.

2025 Honda Odyssey LATCH Diagram:

Second Row LATCH Setup: all three seats have their own lower AND tether anchor.
Third Row LATCH Setup: two tether anchors on each outboard seat and tether anchors across the back.

2025 Honda Odyssey Trunk

The trunk space is where minivans like the Odyssey really shine compared to SUVs. Its deep cargo area lets you stack items efficiently—perfect for strollers, groceries, or sports equipment. The third-row seats fold flat into the floor with a simple strap mechanism (no power assistance needed), creating a large cargo area when needed.

A fun bonus feature is “tailgate mode.” You can sit comfortably at the back of the van during outdoor events like soccer games or picnics while using built-in cup holders and charging ports—a thoughtful touch that really tells me Honda is thinking about the types of people using the Odyssey.

2025 Honda Odyssey Wrap-Up

The 2025 Honda Odyssey doesn’t bring much new to the table, but it continues to excel at what it does best: being an incredibly family-friendly car. Its flexible seating arrangements and unmatched car seat compatibility make it ideal for families with young kids or those who need to transport multiple passengers regularly.

That said, its lack of hybrid options and all-wheel drive might be dealbreakers for some buyers—especially when competitors like Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica offer these features. If you already own a recent model (2017 or newer), there’s little reason to upgrade unless you’re drawn to minor cosmetic updates or specific features like two-tone seating.

For those prioritizing functionality over flashy upgrades or cutting-edge tech, though, the 2025 Honda Odyssey remains one of the best choices out there for families looking for space, comfort, and practicality without compromise.

What do you think of the 2025 Honda Odyssey? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest family car on the market, check out my recent reviews:

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