What is the best thing about the Honda Odyssey?
The best thing about the Honda Odyssey is its interior flexibility, led by the Magic Slide second-row seats that slide, recline, and flip forward for easy access to the rear and adaptable cargo space.
Beyond seating versatility, the Odyssey offers a smooth, family-friendly ride, a strong V6 under the hood, and a comprehensive suite of safety and convenience features that keep it practical for daily use and long road trips. This article examines why the interior design is the Odyssey’s defining strength and what that means for real-world use.
Interior versatility: seating, space and cargo
Key interior aspects that drive daily practicality fall into flexible seating, passenger capacity, and cargo management. The following features collectively define how the Odyssey handles family life on the road.
- Magic Slide second-row seats that slide side-to-side and tilt forward for easy access to the third row and for flexible cargo configurations.
- Flexible seating for up to eight passengers, typically with second-row captain’s chairs and a 3-person third row that folds to expand cargo space.
- Easy-to-use cargo and storage solutions, including roomy rear cargo area and thoughtful nooks for small items and devices.
- Cabin technology designed for family use, including CabinWatch and CabinTalk for communicating with rear passengers, plus an available rear-seat entertainment system on higher trims.
In practice, these features translate to everyday convenience: the cabin adapts quickly for carpooling, trips to the weekend games, or grocery runs, while keeping passengers comfortable and engaged.
Safety and reliability backdrop
While the interior shines, the Odyssey also emphasizes safety and practicality. Honda’s safety suite, known as Honda Sensing, has been offered across most trims in recent years and includes features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The minivan also benefits from a reputation for reliability and long-term value, which reinforces its status as a family staple in many households.
For families weighing options in the minivan segment, the combination of interior flexibility, ride comfort, and dependable safety tech remains the Odyssey’s core appeal as of the latest model years.
Summary
The Honda Odyssey’s defining strength is its interior flexibility, anchored by the Magic Slide second-row seats that maximize accessibility and cargo adaptability. Coupled with a comfortable ride, capable powertrain, and a solid safety tech package, the Odyssey continues to stand out for families seeking a practical, long-haul-minivan experience.
