Everybody loves an SUV: whether they have a reason to, or not. Instead, take a look at what I call FUVs, or family utility vehicles – one of the best examples being the Honda Odyssey. The 2025 model, as always, comes stacked with features built to please hotel guests and, therefore, can generously pamper your family with flexibility of personal space and comforts that you rarely find in the SUV world.
Design and dimensions
Honda Odyssey 2025 is bigger than your average midsize 7-seater SUV. At 5212 mm long, the Odyssey is 13 cm longer than the Honda Pilot and almost a foot ahead of the new Land Cruiser Prado. I am comparing it with SUVs as a realistic option for those who are simply being true to the trend rather than the real need when they choose an SUV. Instead of letting the capabilities of an SUV sleep in your garage, you can wake up to a whole range of family-oriented features in the Honda Odyssey.
Practicality and comfort
One of the most striking aspects is that family togetherness and individual personal space are not polar opposites in this cabin. The luxurious travel attitude in its cabin design is matched by practical and thoughtful functions and features.
The Honda Odyssey 2025 gives you the flexibility of owing it as a 6, 7 or 8-seater. The comfortable seats come with their own armrests in my Touring model with Captain’s seating. The mid seat can be brought down in the second row with the convenience of cupholders. In the third-row seats, adults can sit comfortably, unless they are unusually tall – not something most SUVs can claim!
Every passenger gets own bottle and cupholder spaces – why, the second row passengers even have the choice of using their seat-side cupholders or the ones in the rear end of the console. The third-row passengers get two on either side.
Personal or family entertainment
Charging ports are plenty and entertainment gets really personal with a headphone outlet in the third row for the left passenger. While the Odyssey basic option has one type A and type C each, Touring has a type A and six Type C ports! The rear has its own AC settings next to the door.
There is a central entertainment screen with HDMI cable access and a new option to play own content using an App. As for family movie time on the go, there is a 12.8” foldable rear screen mounted on the roof, facing the two rear rows. The Honda Odyssey Touring comes with 11 speakers to match.
Access convenience
Honda Odyssey has automatic sliding side doors, making it easier to get in and out or load luggage. There are thoughtful grips to climb into the seat and these doors can be operated using buttons on the door-side, on the driver dashboard or by simply pulling the door handle. Only if you are in a hurry, you might loathe the few extra seconds waiting for the sliding doors to close, nicely and elegantly!
Storage convenience
Boot space is astonishingly huge – 1093 L to 4474 L with both rear seats folded! Styled after tourist buses, the rear space goes deep and yet doesn’t hurt the ground clearance. The primary boot space itself is large enough for shifting half a studio or for a weekend IKEA trip, I can confirm! With so many accessible storage spaces conveniently placed all over the cabin, the storage options on the door side are minimal – especially as they are slide back door.
Powerful and efficient engine
While many urban SUVs are settling for a half-hearted 2.0L turbo, the Honda Odyssey marks continues to mark its presence with a 3.5 L V6 engine, as it has done for twenty five years! Delivering smooth power that makes long weekend drives a pleasure, Odyssey 2025 not only generates 280 hp and 355 Nm but maintains a fuel economy of 9.5 – 10.0 km per litre!
The 10-speed transmission with Shift by Wire is standard and so are paddle shifters (which I hardly favoured in this family transporter!)
Enjoyable drive
Honda Odyssey 2025 is a front wheel drive car which partly explains the impressive fuel economy and underlines one aspect different from SUVs that often offer All Wheel Drive. However, the car keeps the odyssey enjoyable, with smooth and stable handling. Turning requires less space than expected and for half a moment I wondered if it had rear wheel steering! With the naturally aspirated V6, acceleration offers old-school pleasures while the shifts are seamless.
Family Captain’s features
Cabin watch and Cabin talk are two features that were thoughtfully designed for hotel guests that fits into the family scheme of things so perfectly. The former lets you watch over your little ones in the rear while the latter provides you with a channel to deliver your message, clearly and directly through an in-cabin PA system!
Comfort and safety
The Touring trim I tested came with leather seats, ventilated in front, to allow you not to break a sweat on long trips. Dual front airbags, side airbags, three-row curtain airbags, and knee airbags for both the driver and passenger upholds thoughtfulness in the Odyssey cabin. Advanced Honda Sensing in Touring now adds low-speed following to the Adaptive Cruise Control.
The essential Honda Odyssey 2025
For those looking for a confident, safe and comfortable car as their large family vehicle, but do not have in mind close encounters of whatever kind with challenging terrains, Honda Odyssey 2025 is certainly an alternative. With comforts bordering on luxury, and prices ranging from AED 180,900 to 223,900, the Odyssey is not a cheaper option to SUVs but often a better option for many.
