2025 Honda Odyssey vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design that echoed its predecessors, offering a straightforward aesthetic that prioritized function over flair. Its interior followed suit with a traditional layout featuring buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear, which many found to be a practical blessing. The controls were designed with bright white markings on matte black backgrounds, ensuring ease of use. In Canada, the Odyssey was available in Sport, Sport-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with the base price starting at $53,056. The Black Edition topped the range at $63,256. The U.S. Touring trim, although not available in Canada, showcased high-quality leather seats, maintaining Honda's reputation for durable interiors.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse presented a more rugged and modern appearance, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Tahoe. Its upright design, high-set grille, and eye-slit LED headlights contributed to its macho stance. The Traverse's sides featured a clean, semi-rounded shape with a blacked-out pillar creating a semi-floating roof effect. The grille varied by model, with the Z71 trim standing out due to its red tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, complemented by smart interior materials. The base LT trim offered a range of features, including cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate, while the RS trim added leather upholstery and additional power adjustments.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It lacked AWD and hybrid options, which were available in some competitors. The Odyssey's fuel economy was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed variations. Despite its minivan status, the Odyssey offered a rewarding driving experience with a connected ride, responsive steering, and nimble handling. It excelled in highway driving, providing a comfortable and quiet environment, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard AWD in Canada. Its towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Traverse's handling was more controlled and agile than larger SUVs, though it exhibited some lean in corners. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but its 0 to 100 km/h time of around eight seconds was considered slow. Engine noise was a noted issue, despite standard active noise cancellation. The Traverse required manual engagement of AWD and offered various drive modes, though it wasn't particularly sporty.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. It featured power-adjustable front seats, with leather and leatherette upholstery in higher trims. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin. Features like the Cabin Talk intercom and Cabin Watch camera system enhanced family convenience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, while almost 18 centimetres shorter than a Tahoe, offered generous passenger space but less cargo capacity. The RS trim included second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating, while other trims offered an eight-passenger configuration. The first-row seats were comfortable with ample storage options. The third-row seating was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom. Cargo space was substantial, with 648 litres behind the third row, 1,603 litres behind the second row, and 2,764 litres behind the first row, though it fell short of minivan dimensions.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless charging available on higher trims. Despite improvements, the infotainment system was criticized for dated graphics and limited voice recognition capabilities. The rear-seat entertainment system required external devices for functionality, which proved frustrating for users.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse boasted advanced technology with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Google built-in. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with standard Google Maps for navigation. The system was intuitive and responsive, with separate climate controls. Additional features included a satellite radio trial, Wi-Fi hotspot, OnStar Basics, and a wireless phone charger. The base audio system could be upgraded to a 12-speaker Bose system.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added parking sensors. The Odyssey performed well in safety tests, though it received a "Poor" rating in a new IIHS evaluation.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving package added Super Cruise hands-free technology and other advanced features. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to an Acceptable rating in one test.