2025 Honda Odyssey vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design that echoed its predecessors, offering a straightforward and practical aesthetic. Its interior followed suit with a traditional layout featuring buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear, which many found to be a blessing for 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 of $42,220. The Elite trim, priced at $51,180, showcased a new Smoke Blue Pearl exterior and a refined interior with two-tone leather seats, maintaining Honda's reputation for quality materials.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, scaled up to accommodate more passengers and cargo. The Platinum trim, tested in Storm Cloud paint, exuded a sense of luxury with its leather and artificial suede upholstery. The Grand Highlander offered a spacious interior with functional design elements, though some materials like glossy hard plastics detracted from its premium feel. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, delivered a satisfying driving experience for a minivan. Its 10-speed automatic transmission efficiently channeled power to the front wheels, though it lacked AWD or hybrid options. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with real-world tests showing 21.4 mpg on evaluation loops and 24 mpg on longer trips. Despite its fuel economy trade-offs compared to hybrid rivals, the Odyssey's V6 engine provided spirited performance, and its handling was commendable, offering a connected and compliant ride.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, generating 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg combined, it excelled in towing capacity, handling up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg on mixed routes and 23.3 mpg on mountainous terrain. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth and confident, complemented by a soft, isolating ride, though its handling was secure only up to a point.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 140.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Its Elite trim featured comfortable power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, though taller drivers might find legroom limited. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatility, allowing various configurations for passenger and cargo needs. However, removing these seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin, along with features like a conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim's interior featured a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The second-row captain's chairs, with a removable center console, allowed easy access to the third row. While the Grand Highlander offered generous cargo space, some storage areas were unlined, potentially contributing to cabin noise. The third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for adults, and the vehicle provided ample cargo space for family trips.

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 technology, proved frustrating to use, requiring additional cables for connectivity. Despite these challenges, the Odyssey's technology suite offered convenience with USB-C charging ports and a volume knob for easy control.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various music services. The system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the overall experience. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system, with the JBL premium audio system delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. While the system generally operated smoothly, some aspects, like the lane-departure warning, could be improved. The Odyssey earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and performed well in IIHS tests, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive array of safety and driver-assistance technologies. While the Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating, the overall safety tech operated accurately. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.