Honda Odyssey vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design, reminiscent of its predecessors, with a straightforward aesthetic that didn't prioritize style. Its interior followed suit, featuring traditional buttons and knobs, which were appreciated for their practicality and 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, the most expensive, was priced at $63,256. The U.S. Touring trim, tested in Smoke Blue Pearl with a black and light grey interior, showcased high-quality leather seats, though styling was not its main selling point.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The EUV body style was the only option for 2027, emphasizing utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The interior saw significant updates, including a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured hard plastic surfaces, with some padded touchpoints, and the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite its econobox-like footprint, the Bolt provided ample headroom and a flat floor for rear passengers, enhancing comfort.

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, 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 an evaluation loop and 9.8 L/100 km during a week of mixed driving. Despite its fuel economy, the Odyssey offered a natural driving experience with responsive steering and braking, making it enjoyable for those who valued performance in a minivan.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. Its motor, sourced from the Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with one-pedal driving available for enhanced control. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt's low centre of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. With an estimated range of 422 kilometres on a full charge, the Bolt offered improved efficiency and faster charging capabilities.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in carrying capacity, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. It featured power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, leatherette upholstery, and heated front seats. 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, including a conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered good headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor enhancing comfort for centre-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 459 litres, with a large bin under the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and the cabin featured ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

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, USB-C charging ports, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the infotainment system's graphics and voice recognition were subpar, and the rear-seat entertainment system was cumbersome to use, requiring a personal device connection via HDMI.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. It lacked standalone Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Bluetooth pairing allowed for music streaming. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses, and the Bolt offered vehicle-to-load charging for backup power.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey included Honda Sensing, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Touring and Black Edition trims added parking sensors. The Odyssey performed well in NHTSA and IIHS safety tests, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were pending, but it was expected to perform well based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise system was available for hands-free highway driving.