Honda Odyssey vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design lineage, echoing its predecessors with a straightforward aesthetic that some might find uninspiring. Its interior followed suit, featuring a traditional layout with buttons and knobs that, while old-school, were appreciated for their practicality and ease of use. The Odyssey was available in several trims in Canada, including Sport, Sport-L, Touring, and Black Edition, with the base price starting at $53,056. The interior, particularly in the Touring trim, boasted high-quality leather seats, though the styling was not a primary selling point for this minivan.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was noted for its stylish presence across all trims, including Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. The exterior featured a prominent grille and LED lighting, while the interior was praised for its craftsmanship and thoughtful design. The Palisade Hybrid offered a comfortable cabin with features like dual-zone climate control and multiple USB-C outlets. Despite slightly less cargo space compared to some competitors, the Palisade Hybrid provided a more luxurious feel, with options for captain’s chairs and a variety of storage solutions.

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. It delivered power to the front wheels, lacking options for AWD or a hybrid powertrain. The Odyssey's fuel economy was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed varied results. Despite its minivan status, the Odyssey offered a surprisingly engaging driving experience with responsive handling and a comfortable ride, although it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, delivering a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided ample power for both city and highway driving. The Palisade Hybrid's advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system contributed to its efficient performance. The cabin was notably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass, although the engine noise was noticeable under hard acceleration. The steering was precise, enhancing the driving experience, though the pedal feel was softer than expected.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in its primary role as a people and cargo carrier, accommodating up to eight passengers and offering 3,973 litres of cargo space. The interior featured power-adjustable 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 various storage solutions and family-friendly features like a conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of cargo capacity, slightly less than some competitors but more than others. The interior was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control and multiple USB-C outlets. The second row was spacious, and the Palisade Hybrid came standard with a bench seat, with captain’s chairs available. The cabin was filled with storage options, including a centre console with a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf for additional items.

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, though the system's graphics and voice recognition were outdated. The rear-seat entertainment system was cumbersome, requiring a personal device connection via HDMI, which proved frustrating for users.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was well-equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a Driver Talk intercom system for easy communication. Most trims featured a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and the Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid also introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and more. While generally smooth, the system's lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control had room for improvement. The Odyssey received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid included a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, such as blind-spot warning and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the safe-exit alert was a useful addition. While not yet crash-tested for 2026, the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.