Honda Odyssey vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design lineage, echoing its predecessors with a straightforward and somewhat dated aesthetic. Its interior followed suit, featuring traditional buttons and knobs that, while old-school, 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 topped the range at $63,256. The U.S. Touring trim equivalent showcased high-quality leather seats, but styling was not its strong suit.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a bold and distinctive design that divided opinions. Inspired by various elements, its aerodynamic shape was crafted to accommodate seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 mm in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient. The design featured a swooping roofline and a unique rear end, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail. In Canada, it was available in seven paint colours, with trim-specific options. The interior was spacious, with flat floors and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims, though it featured some plastic elements.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey was powered by 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 varied results. The Odyssey offered a connected driving experience with responsive steering and braking, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single rear-mounted motor with 215 horsepower, while AWD trims offered up to 422 horsepower. The Ioniq 9 impressed with energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range. It provided a smooth ride, though its weight and soft suspension affected cornering. The Ioniq 9 could tow up to 5,000 pounds with AWD. Charging options included NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with fast charging times.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in practicality, seating eight and offering up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. It featured power-adjustable front seats, Magic Slide second-row seats, and a roomy third row. However, the second-row seats were heavy to remove for maximum cargo space. The Odyssey provided ample storage and family-friendly features like Cabin Talk and Cabin Watch.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-friendly dimensions, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. It offered 1,086 mm of middle-row legroom and 813 mm in the third row. The Ioniq 9 had dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a sliding centre console. Cargo space ranged from 620 to 2,462 litres, with a small front trunk for charging accessories.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a tech update with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the system's graphics and voice recognition were subpar. The rear-seat entertainment system was outdated and challenging to use.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual 12.3-inch displays with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It had a wireless charging pad and six USB-C ports. The 14-speaker Bose audio system impressed with its sound quality. However, the charging pad struggled to keep up with high-demand devices.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. It performed well in safety tests, except for a "Poor" rating in a new IIHS evaluation.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 included advanced driver assistance systems like Highway Driving Assist 2, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. It offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor in higher trims. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.