Honda Odyssey vs Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design that echoed its predecessors, offering a straightforward and practical aesthetic rather than a stylish one. Its interior followed suit with a traditional layout featuring buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear, which were appreciated for their ease of use. The Odyssey was available in several trims in Canada, with the Sport version as the entry point, offering a more affordable base price. The Touring trim, tested in the U.S., showcased high-quality leather seats, although the overall styling remained utilitarian.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a more stylized and aggressive exterior, particularly with its large spindle grille and sporty profile. The F Sport 3 model added dark trim and 20-inch wheels, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the NX Hybrid combined modern technology with a sporty look, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled towards the driver. The interior was further enhanced by sporty elements like dark graphite aluminum trim and optional two-tone Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, providing a high-quality and upscale feel.

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. While it lacked AWD or a hybrid option, the Odyssey delivered a natural driving experience with responsive steering and nimble handling. Its fuel economy was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed varied results. Despite some historical issues with brake performance in hot weather, the Odyssey remained a comfortable and quiet vehicle for long trips.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, offered standard AWD and a combined output of 240 horsepower. While not particularly sporty, the NX Hybrid provided a controlled ride with adaptive dampers and a firm suspension. Its power delivery was adequate for everyday driving, though the engine could be noisy under hard acceleration. The NX Hybrid's fuel economy was competitive, and the optional NX 450h plug-in hybrid offered more power for those seeking a performance boost.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in practicality, seating up to eight people and offering up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. Its Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility, though they required removal for maximum cargo capacity. The Odyssey's interior featured comfortable seating with power adjustments and available leather upholstery. However, taller drivers might find the seating position cramped. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid provided comfortable front seats with good bolstering and power adjustments, accommodating various body types. The rear seats offered adequate space for two adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. The NX Hybrid's cargo space was limited compared to its competitors, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with them folded. Despite its coupe-like roofline, the NX Hybrid remained practical for everyday use, with sufficient room for groceries or hardware store runs.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was an improvement, it still had dated graphics and limited voice recognition capabilities. The Odyssey's rear-seat entertainment system was cumbersome, requiring personal device connections via HDMI. Despite these shortcomings, the Odyssey offered useful features like a conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was responsive, with a volume dial and embedded temperature controls for ease of use. Optional features included a head-up display, wireless phone charger, and a premium Mark Levinson audio system. The NX Hybrid also offered a three-year Remote Connect subscription for remote vehicle access and status alerts.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. While generally effective, the adaptive cruise control could be overly aggressive in traffic. The Odyssey received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and performed well in most IIHS tests, except for a new evaluation where it scored poorly.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and performed well in NHTSA crash tests. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The NX Hybrid's safety systems functioned effectively during testing, though the adaptive cruise control required some familiarization.