2022 Honda Odyssey

Honda knows how to make minivans user-friendly, and it knows its audience: parents. The 2022 Honda Odyssey builds on a long record of family-friendly firsts, and unapologetically maximizes the traditional big-box minivan formula to provide plenty of comfort and ark-like cargo space. In fine minivan tradition, it’s quite car-like to drive, too.   

When it was introduced in 2018 this generation of the Odyssey became the first to include cabin view cameras for a bird’s eye view of rear passengers, and it had already included an optional on-board vacuum. Last year the Odyssey got a visual refresh inside and out along with some clever new technology. After that upgrade, this year’s changes are limited to a new and eye-catching Radiant Red Metallic paint hue and the deletion of the novel on-board vacuum cleaner.  

The automaker’s Honda Sensing safety suite is included on every trim level, and the top-spec Elite gets more luxurious interior materials. That model bristles with desirable features, but all Odysseys are very practical machines. The cabin view camera is a keeper for parents with little ones, but Honda also builds in plenty of clever features for older kids and their parental units. There are a multitude of connectivity options, a highly adjustable middle row, clever sunshades, more cupholders than Ikea’s factories and an open-feeling center console layout with room enough for a Fendi handbag. 

Above all, the Honda is focused on keeping the Odyssey’s passengers safe. The extensive HondaSensing suite and a solid structure, as evidenced by the van’s high marks from IIHS and NHTSA, are supported by many other systems. Responsive driver alerts like blind-spot monitoring with easy-to-see indicators give the driver peace of mind on a busy highway. If a rear door has been opened prior to driving, the on-board rear seat reminder will alert the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle. 

While the Odyssey can’t match the hybrid fuel economy of the Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna, at 19 mpg city, 28 highway and 22 combined, it matches or betters all non-hybrid rivals such as the brand new Kia Carnival whose highway fuel economy is estimated at 26 miles per gallon. The Odyssey is not as sporty as most of Honda’s sedans, but it doesn’t lack for power and is much more maneuverable around town than any SUV with similar passenger and cargo capacity. 

Newer entries like the Pacifica and Carnival offer different takes on the minivan experience, but the Odyssey should be a must-drive for anyone in the marker for a practical family hauler. 

Performance: 12/15

Every Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing plenty of pep for this people mover and making it beautifully responsive, enabling easy acceleration and safe highway passing. The Odyssey has a 3,500-pound towing capacity, which is enough for that small utility trailer or popup camper. 

This family van is no muscle car, but it holds it own on the road, passing slower traffic with ease and hugging the road tight even in wet conditions. The Odyssey can feel a little squishy in hard cornering because of its height, but quickly regains its composure on straightaways and sweepers. Even with its big box dimensions, the Honda is a little more nimble to drive than its minivan competitors. Unlike the Pacifica and the Sienna, the Odyssey does not offer an all-wheel drive option, but it’s as stable and sure-footed as Honda’s front-drive sedans.

Fuel Economy: 10/15

All Honda Odyssey models are rated at 19 mpg in city driving, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. This is comparable to other gasoline models in this segment and pips the 2022 Kia Carnival in highway fuel economy, but it’s below average for the class overall. Minivans like the Toyota Sienna now come standard as hybrids or, in the case of the Chrysler Pacifica, offer plug-in hybrids, which offer better fuel economy out of the gate.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

The Honda Odyssey brought home a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The new rear seat reminder, pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot warning (except LX) and traffic sign recognition help to make the Odyssey one of the safest minivans on the market.

Every trim level features the Honda Sensing Suite which includes driver assist technology like lane departure and forward collision warnings, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear seat reminders, and auto beam headlights. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alerts are standard on EX and higher trims.

Comfort & Room: 15/15

The Odyssey has a practical and comfortable interior which is neither luxurious nor plain, but just right for the van’s family-friendly mission. Every passenger has ample legroom, drink holders, and charging options and the available second-row entertainment system keeps the back seaters happy on long trips. The cabin camera and mic/speaker system that allow the driver to see and communicate with rear passengers is a big plus for this minivan’s target demographic. 

The Odyssey’s front seats are plenty comfortable for long trips, as are the optional second-row bucket seats. The well-thought-out center console doesn’t crowd the driver as in the Toyota Sienna. The open area between the dash and the console on the Honda gives passengers a much roomier feeling and provides space for keeping a larger handbag or backpack handy. There’s also a hidden drawer under the console and a deep storage compartment under the armrest. 

The Magic Slide second row makes access to the third row a breeze and allows center row passengers to sit side by side or apart. Alternatively, it enables moving a child farther from the window where the sun may shine in her eyes. The second row can also slide forward and back to provide additional legroom for the third-row passengers. In its regular position, it gives the Odyssey has more third-row legroom than either the Pacifica or Kia Carnival. Even if they’re sitting behind six-footers, third row riders will find the bench seat roomy and welcoming.

Infotainment: 13/15

The infotainment system in the Odyssey is a breeze to use thanks to its quick response time and user-friendly interface. Compared to some larger SUVs the 8.0-inch infotainment screen is on the smaller side, but it is well positioned to keep drivers’ eyes on the road. There is a volume knob, happily, but no tuning knob. 

The optional media console allows passengers to connect via Bluetooth and use the social playlist feature so everyone can play their music over the car’s speakers, just one of the things tweens and teens will enjoy. The Elite includes charging ports for every row, so there’s no more passing phones or tablets up to the front to take turns charging. Bonus? Wi-Fi for everyone, a feature also offered on the less-expensive Touring. 

Cargo Space & Storage: 15/15

Behind the third row, the Honda Odyssey has plenty of cargo space to haul sports equipment, groceries or a stroller, and some baby gear.  If you need more than this 32.8 cubic-feet you can achieve 88.8 cubic-feet of space by folding down the third-row seats. Need to bring home some lumber or furniture? You can remove the second-row seats for up to 144.9 cubic-feet of maximum cargo space.  

Kia’s Carnival offers 40.9 cubic-feet behind the third row, 86.9 with the third row folded and 145.1 overall. The Pacifica offers volumes of 32.3, 87.5 and 140.5 cubic-feet in the same scenarios and its seats fold flat into the floor. Toyota’s Sienna lags the other three by quite a bit in each dimension and offers just 101 cubic feet overall. 

Style & Design: 6/10

Honda seems to be of the mind, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and this doesn’t seem to bother hardcore fans of the Odyssey who keep buying this van despite the classic minivan silhouette. Other brands have worked hard to make their vans look more like SUVs or crossovers, but aside from a few tweaks to the front end, the Odyssey has kept its Space Shuttle-like profile since Honda enlarged the model for its second generation, and the current one hasn’t changed much visually since 2018. 

Is the 2022 Honda Odyssey Worth it? Which Odyssey is the Best Value?

Every Odyssey packs a good value with all the space and the standard safety gear, but the base model LX is fairly basic, lacking even keyless entry and Apple Car Play compatibility. 

The $37,665 (including a $1,225 destination fee) EX is our choice for a budget friendly family van. This package adds the Magic Slide second row seats (an absolute must if you have car seats!), blind-spot warning and alerts, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, power sliding doors, and proximity key locking system. 

The EX-L layers on leather seats, a power tailgate and a snazzy one-touch moonroof. At $40,935, it is a solid choice for buyers who want more than the basics but don’t need some of the top trims’ fancier features. For those who regularly take long road trips, the $44,975 Touring, which adds a rear entertainment system, cabin watch and cabin talk, and WiFi capabilities is a real treat. This model also adds 19-inch wheels for a sportier appearance. The Elite adds een more goodies, including wireless charging and heated and ventilated seats, but it also just about breaks the $50,000 barrier. 

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Honda Odyssey?

The Odyssey’s insurance costs are slightly lower than its competitors, but minivans as a segment don’t differ too much from one another. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of about $1,822 for the Odyssey Elite, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $1,857 for the Chrysler Pacifica and $1,901 for the Toyota Sienna. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.