There’s no denying that large SUVs have taken over a lot of the market that once belonged to minivans, which has made it harder to find a good minivan these days. Fortunately, there are still some great options out there if a minivan will work best for your family, and at the top of this short list is the 2024 Honda Odyssey. It’s nice to see that Honda hasn’t abandoned those of us who still appreciate the open cabin and incredible amount of space the minivan design allows for, even surpassing what you find inside full-size SUVs. The Odyssey is a great example of this and an impressive option for drivers, particularly if you need something for a growing family. With five different trims available, however, choosing the right one can be tricky—let’s take a look at each of them, and I’ll help you figure out which one might be best for you.
The 2024 Honda Odyssey EX
Kicking things off, we have the Odyssey EX, which is the starting trim for this model, so we’ll find all of the standard features here—everything else builds on this, so let’s spend a bit longer with this trim to see what Honda has on offer. The 2024 Odyssey features a 3.5L V6 engine in every trim with plenty of power and torque for its large and impressive size. This engine comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and responsive driving experience. I wish all-wheel drive was available for the Odyssey, but that’s unfortunately rare for minivans. However, Honda has delivered a very comfortable ride here, and its traction management system includes a Snow Mode for slippery conditions.
Inside this great ride, you’ll find seating for up to eight passengers with plenty of room for everyone to stretch out and be comfortable. Up front, you get 40.7 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom, while second-row passengers enjoy 39.5 inches of headroom and just as much legroom. Fortunately, your passengers in the very back don’t miss out on much with 38.3 inches of headroom and 38.1 inches of legroom, ensuring everyone along for the ride can enjoy themselves. You also get 38.6 cu.ft. of rear cargo space behind that third row of seats, with an incredible 158 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the first row, which makes it easy to load up with school projects, camping equipment, supplies for after school activities, and anything else you need to bring with you.
Comfort and tech features inside the 2024 Odyssey EX include third-row Magic Seats that are comfortable and easy to stow for added cargo volume, heated front seats that are great for winter mornings, and a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. You get push-button start that makes it easy to get in and hit the road, heating throughout the interior, including rear ducts with tri-zone automatic climate control, and even a programmable rear door. An eight-inch infotainment display is standard, with a seven-speaker sound system that includes a subwoofer for great audio throughout the cabin. Plus, you get numerous USB ports and 12V power outlets for charging devices.
One of my favorite things about the 2024 Odyssey is that it has the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features standard on every trim. This includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. These technologies not only help to keep your family safe but can also make your daily commute and getting kids to school easier, reducing some of the stress and hassle of driving. They don’t replace safe, careful driving but can supplement your abilities and make the difference between a near-miss and a terrifying crash. That so much is standard on every trim, including a Blind Spot Information System, helps to make the Odyssey a great pick.
The 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Now, let’s look at some upgrades and enhancements you get by choosing an available trim over the starting option. Moving up to the EX-L gets you similar performance and the same kind of room inside, but you get to enjoy a number of new features and options. The 2024 Odyssey EX-L has two-position memory for the driver’s seat and includes leather-trimmed seating for an added touch of style and comfort. You also get an eight-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat with four-way power lumbar support, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The 2024 Honda Odyssey Sport
Moving to the Sport trim, you get most of the same features found inside the EX-L but with some unique exterior touches. If you like the EX-L and simply want something with a sporty look to it, then this is the trim for you. Where other trims have chrome door handles, the Sport features body-color handles that blend into the exterior design, along with body-color side sills and roof antenna. The Sport has Gloss Black power side mirrors to go along with its Gloss Black 19-inch wheels, plus exclusive red ambient lighting inside that’s matched with red stitching on the leather-trimmed seating to create a unique look.
The 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring
Where the Sport is much like the EX-L, the Touring trim provides a number of additional enhancements for getting the most from your minivan. For starters, the Touring features an advanced rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, built-in streaming apps, and wireless headphones. You get Honda’s CabinTalk in-car PA system with the Touring, which can be heard through the headphones if someone is using the entertainment system. You also get the CabinWatch Rear Seat Monitor that lets you see what’s going on in the back seats using the front display, making it easy to keep track of what kids are doing in the back. This trim also features front and rear parking sensors, adding to the Odyssey’s already impressive safety tech.
The 2024 Honda Odyssey Elite
Finally, we come to the Elite, which is the pinnacle trim for the 2024 Honda Odyssey. It represents the peak of everything this minivan offers. It includes everything you’ll find on the Touring, along with a number of upgrades. For example, while both trims have the CabinTalk system, it can be heard through the speakers and not only the headphones if you go with the Elite, which makes it easier to communicate with people at the back of the Odyssey. Speaking of speakers, the Elite features an 11-speaker premium sound system with a subwoofer, giving you an enhanced listening experience while on the road.
You’ll also find a wireless phone charger in the Elite, which is one of those things that’s certainly a luxury item but can make life a lot easier when you’re scrambling to get out the door in the morning and realize you forgot to charge your phone overnight. The Elite has blue ambient interior lighting and features heated and ventilated front seats that are ideal for both hot and cold weather. There’s no denying this is everything the Honda Odyssey has to offer, but it costs about $12,000 more than the EX, which can be a pretty big ask if your family is on a budget.
Which Odyssey Is Right for Your Next Journey?
Now that you can see everything these five trims have to offer, it’s easier to get a good sense of which one will work best for your family. Unless you’re really interested in advanced options like Honda’s CabinTalk and CabinWatch technologies, your best bet is probably the EX-L since you get some nice upgrades from the starting features with only a minimal increase in price. The looks of the Sport are certainly nice but not necessarily worth paying more for unless they speak to you in a way that’s difficult to quantify. While those extra bits of tech in the Touring and Elite are great and can make your daily drive and long road trips more enjoyable, they’re not essential. Your budget is probably going to dictate this one, but just remember that the EX-L is worth paying a little more for.
