The minivan. The automotive equivalent of cargo shorts—practical, sensible, wildly useful… and somehow still fighting for respect. And yet, after a week behind the wheel of the 2026 Honda Odyssey Touring, I’m here to tell you that Honda’s family hauler isn’t just surviving—it’s quietly thriving.
Let’s start where every good family road trip begins: the front seats.
First Impressions: Comfort is King (and Queen… and the Kids in Row Two)
Slide into the driver’s seat of the Odyssey Touring and you’re greeted with what Honda does best—comfort without complication. The seats are wide, supportive, and designed for long-haul duty, whether that’s a cottage run up north or the daily school drop-off circus. The front passenger isn’t exactly slumming it either—plenty of legroom, a commanding view, and zero complaints from my co-pilot all week.
But the real magic? Row two.
Honda’s middle-row “quad-style” seating is a masterclass in flexibility. These seats slide, adjust, and reconfigure like they’re auditioning for a role in a Transformers movie. Whether you’re separating squabbling siblings or creating easy access to the third row, the Odyssey adapts quickly—and without requiring an engineering degree.
Familiarity Breeds Contentment
Now, let’s talk dashboard and infotainment.
If you’ve driven a Honda recently—say, something like the Pilot—you’ll feel right at home. And that’s a good thing. Honda’s UI/UX philosophy isn’t about dazzling you with spaceship-level tech; it’s about making sure you can find what you need without pulling over and Googling it.
The more Hondas I drive, the more I appreciate this approach. The touchscreen is responsive, menus are logical, and physical buttons still exist (bless them). It’s not flashy, but it works—and in a family vehicle, that’s exactly what you want.
Surprisingly Not a “Van” to Drive
Under the hood sits Honda’s tried-and-true 3.5L V6 engine and, let me tell you—it’s got some pep.
This isn’t a lumbering bus. The Odyssey moves with confidence, merging onto highways and passing slower traffic without breaking a sweat. Fully loaded with passengers, hockey bags, groceries, and whatever else life throws at you? Sure, fuel economy takes a bit of a hit—but the power is always there when you need it.
And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t feel like a minivan.
The driving dynamics are much closer to an SUV—unsurprising, considering the Odyssey shares engineering DNA and platform characteristics with the Honda Pilot. The ride is composed, steering is predictable, and body roll is kept nicely in check. If you blindfolded someone (not recommended while driving), they’d probably guess they were in a midsize SUV—not a seven- or eight-passenger van.
Let’s Talk Numbers (Because You’re Going To)
Thanks to our pricing and payment partners, CarCostCanada and LeaseBusters, we can break down what this family-friendly chariot actually costs.
The 2026 Honda Odyssey lineup offers four trims with about a $10,000 spread from base to top-end:
- Sport – $51,420
- Sport-L – $54,420
- Touring – $59,820
- Black Edition – $61,620
My tester—the Touring—came in at:
- Base: $59,820
- Metallic Paint: $400
- Freight: $2,000
- Air Tax: $100
Total MSRP: $62,320
According to CarCostCanada, Honda is currently offering some solid incentive support, including trade-in assistance and loyalty rebates to keep existing Honda drivers in the family.
Now, let’s translate that into real-world payments—because very few people are writing a $70K cheque after tax.
LeaseBusters tells us that the Odyssey is a strong performer in the lease takeover market—often getting snapped up in under 30 days when priced right. Today, you’re looking at:
- Lease: $796/month + tax (48 months, 20,000 km/year, 5.69%, no down-payment)
- Finance: $889/month (84 months, tax down)
For a $62K vehicle, that’s about on point. Drop the rate a couple of points and sweeten the incentives, and suddenly you’re flirting with sub-$700 territory—which would make this van even more compelling.
That said, Odysseys are selling just fine as-is. The market is clearly still buying what Honda is selling.
Highlight Reel 🎬
Let’s get into what really stood out.
- Rear Entertainment System
Yes, tablets exist. Yes, your kids probably own three each. But there’s something to be said for a built-in, big-screen entertainment system that keeps everyone watching the same thing—and (hopefully) keeps the peace.
It’s easy to use, sounds great, and turns long drives into shared experiences instead of a headphone-wearing isolation chamber.
- CabinWatch: Parenting with Eyes in the Back of Your Head
Honda’s CabinWatch system is one of those features you didn’t know you needed until you have it.
Using a built-in camera, CabinWatch lets you see what’s happening in the rear seats right from the front display—day or night. Whether it’s checking on a sleeping toddler, monitoring sibling negotiations (a.k.a. arguments), or making sure no one—or nothing—is left behind, it’s an incredibly practical tool for busy families.
Peace of mind, served digitally.
- Charging Ports Galore
Modern families run on devices—and devices run on batteries.
The Odyssey comes loaded with charging options throughout the cabin, making it easy for everyone to stay powered up. Phones, tablets, gaming devices—you name it, there’s probably a port nearby. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference, especially on longer trips.
Head Scratchers 🤔
No vehicle is perfect, and the Odyssey has a few areas that left me wondering.
- Where’s the Hybrid?
Honda builds an excellent hybrid system—so why isn’t it here?
The 3.5L V6 is reliable and strong, but when the van is fully loaded, fuel economy starts to drift in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, Toyota is happily hybridizing the Sienna. This feels like an opportunity missed—or at least delayed.
- Overeager Driver Assist Features
Safety tech is great—until it starts nagging you.
The Odyssey’s driver assist systems can be a bit too sensitive. Lane departure warnings, collision alerts—they sometimes chime in a little early and a little often. For some drivers, that could lead to turning the system off entirely, which defeats the purpose.
Honda, keep the features—just dial it back a notch.
- Missing Features That Matter
A few notable absences stood out:
- No 360-degree camera (increasingly expected at this price point)
- No AWD option (a big ask for Canadian families)
- No power-folding third row (a real pain point for busy parents juggling sports gear and strollers)
These aren’t deal-breakers—but they are noticeable, especially in a competitive segment.
Final Impressions
The 2026 Honda Odyssey Touring isn’t trying to reinvent the minivan—it’s perfecting it.
It’s comfortable, practical, easy to drive, and packed with family-friendly features that actually make daily life easier. It may not have the flashiest tech or the most cutting-edge powertrain, but it delivers where it counts.
And perhaps most importantly, it doesn’t feel like a compromise.
In a world obsessed with SUVs, the Odyssey quietly reminds us why minivans exist in the first place. And after a week with it, I’m not just convinced—it might just be the smartest vehicle in your driveway.
James Matthews is the President, General Manager and Co-Founder of LeaseBusters. James launched LeaseBusters in 1990 and is considered one of Canada’s leading experts on new vehicle leases, lease-take-overs and vehicle lease (re)marketing. James can be reached directly at jmatthews at leasebusters.com