Honda Odyssey vs Chevrolet Traverse

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design that echoed its predecessors, offering a practical yet uninspired aesthetic. Its interior followed a traditional approach with physical controls, which were appreciated for their ease of use. The Odyssey was available in EX-L, Sport-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with the base EX trim discontinued, resulting in a higher starting price. The Elite trim featured a new Smoke Blue Pearl paint and high-quality leather seats, providing a touch of class to the minivan's otherwise utilitarian design.

In contrast, the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a more rugged and modern appearance, resembling a smaller Chevrolet Tahoe. Its design included a high-set grille, eye-slit LED headlights, and a semi-floating roof look. The Traverse offered various grille designs and wheel sizes, with the Z71 trim featuring distinctive red tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Traverse showcased a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, with smart interior materials and optional leather upholstery enhancing its appeal.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which were available in some competitors. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with real-world tests showing slightly lower figures. Despite its fuel economy trade-offs, the Odyssey offered a rewarding driving experience with responsive steering and nimble handling, making it enjoyable for those who appreciated a connected driving feel.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. The Traverse's handling was more controlled and agile than its larger sibling, the Tahoe, though it exhibited some lean in corners. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but its 0-60 mph time of around eight seconds was considered slow. Engine noise was a drawback, despite standard active noise cancellation.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 140.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The Elite trim featured comfortable power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, though taller drivers might find legroom limited. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility but required removal for maximum cargo space. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage options and features like Cabin Talk and Cabin Watch for family convenience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, while nearly as spacious for passengers as the Tahoe, offered less cargo space. It came standard with second-row captain's chairs for seven-passenger seating, with an optional bench for eight. The first-row seats were comfortable, and the second-row provided good space, though the third-row was less suitable for adults. Cargo space was generous but fell short of minivan dimensions, with 98 cubic feet behind the first row. The Traverse's flat load floor enhanced usability.

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, Android Auto, and smartphone charging, though the infotainment system's graphics and voice recognition were subpar. The rear-seat entertainment system, featuring Amazon Fire TV, proved frustrating to use, requiring a personal device connection via HDMI.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its technology, featuring an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with standard Google Maps for navigation. The system was intuitive and responsive, with additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, OnStar Basics, and a wireless phone charger. The base audio system could be upgraded to a 12-speaker Bose system for enhanced sound quality.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driving-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It performed well in safety tests by NHTSA and IIHS, though it received a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation not engineered for the current-generation Odyssey.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offered a comprehensive set of standard safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. The Enhanced Driving package added GM's Super Cruise hands-free technology and other advanced features. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA, with room for improvement in some areas.