2025 Honda Odyssey vs 2026 Hyundai Venue

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design lineage, echoing its predecessors with a straightforward aesthetic that was as predictable as a well-worn Dad joke. Its interior followed suit, featuring an array of buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear that, while old-school, were appreciated for their practicality. The bright white markings on matte black backgrounds made controls easy to locate and 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 test vehicle showcased high-quality leather seats, though styling was not its primary selling point.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, classified as a crossover SUV, presented a design more akin to a tall hatchback. Its compact and narrow appearance was reminiscent of European runabouts, with SUV-like features such as an upright windshield, bluff nose, and available roof rails. The Venue's high nose was complemented by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black wheel flares and a two-tone roof added flair. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional look, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad affixed to the dash. Body-colour trim around the air vents and shifter brought a touch of the exterior design inside.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey, while not designed for driving thrills, offered a rewarding experience for a minivan. It housed 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. The Odyssey lacked AWD and hybrid options, unlike some competitors. Fuel economy was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed 13.2 L/100 km on a loop and 9.8 L/100 km over a week, including a highway road trip. Despite its fuel economy trade-offs, the Odyssey's V6 delivered strong performance, with responsive steering and braking, and nimble handling. It excelled in various driving conditions, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque through a CVT to the front wheels. It was one of the least powerful vehicles on the market, with a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5–8.8 seconds. The Venue's lightweight construction at 1,251 kilograms contributed to its peppy city performance, though highway acceleration required planning. The CVT's stepped gear ratios felt slurred, and heavy throttle caused engine droning. Handling was aided by the Venue's small size and low weight, making it agile in traffic and easy to park. However, the ride was jiggly on rough surfaces due to a solid rear axle.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in its primary role as a people and cargo carrier. It accommodated eight passengers and offered up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. Standard features included power-adjustable front seats, with leather and leatherette upholstery in all but the base trim. 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 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and synthetic leather seats with manual adjustments. While comfortable, legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design that expanded cargo space to 528 litres. With the rear seats up, cargo capacity was 902 litres, less than typical compact crossovers. The Venue's interior materials reflected cost-cutting, with hard black plastics dominating the cabin. The rear cargo floor lifted to reveal a compact spare tire, indicating further cost-saving measures.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C charging ports. However, the infotainment system's graphics and voice recognition were subpar. The rear-seat entertainment system required a personal device connection, which proved frustrating. Despite these shortcomings, pairing an iPhone and using Apple CarPlay was seamless.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment functions. While lacking navigation and satellite radio, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster displayed limited information, and a wireless charging pad was standard in Canada. The audio system was a basic six-speaker unit, adequate for podcasts but lacking in sound quality for music enthusiasts.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Touring and Black Edition trims added parking sensors. While generally smooth, the adaptive cruise control could brake too hard in traffic. The Odyssey earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, except for a "Poor" rating in a new IIHS evaluation.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like forward collision warning and lane keep assist. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Venue's safety systems performed well, though the driver attention monitor was overly sensitive. It received a four-star NHTSA rating, with incomplete IIHS ratings at the time of writing.