We have been sharing about different Honda vehicles for 9 years now. Our family has grown over that time and there is one vehicle that is on my wish list. That’s a Honda Odyessey – Black Edition. For two weeks, the 2025 Honda Odyssey – Black Edition in Radiant Red Metallic became our daily family vehicle. It went everywhere we did. Swimming lessons, errands, headed into the city, and even a camping trip. By the time we had to hand the keys back, the kids were genuinely heartbroken. Our youngest even woke up the next morning and asked, “Can we have the van back now? I miss it!”
As a family with four kids with an age gap, we need a vehicle that can handle chaos, car seats, road trips, and all the other daily stuff. The Odyssey continues to stand out to us at every turn with how family-friendly it really is. Here’s what we loved about the Black Edition, and why it left such an impression.
FIRST IMPRESSION
The Radiant Red Metallic colour was a showstopper. Paired with the Black Edition’s accents. The gloss-black grille, 19″ alloy wheels, red stitching, and unique badging the van turned heads everywhere we went. We were stopped on several occasions and asked about it. Including at the campground, more than one person commented on how sharp it looked in the red and that this van would be their dream vehicle. It’s quickly become my dream family vehicle, too.
And as any parent knows, sliding doors are worth their weight in gold. The Odyssey’s power sliding doors and tailgate made it effortless to load kids, car seats, and all the gear that comes with family life. Plus, having no fear of a child throwing open a door gave me peace of mind I didn’t realize I needed in my daily life.
ROOM FOR EVERYONE
Inside, the Odyssey comfortably seats up to 8 passengers. We had two car seats installed for the little ones in the second row, yet there was still plenty of room for our older kids to stretch out without squabbles in the third row. Possibly the most leg room we’ve experienced in the third row for a vehicle. The Magic Slide™ second-row seats let us configure the space exactly how we needed, whether to keep siblings apart or make it easier to access the third row.
The Black Edition trim really spoils you: black perforated leather seats with red stitching, red ambient lighting, and both heated and ventilated front seats. On the drive through the Okanagan heat, those ventilated seats were a lifesaver!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES WE ACTUALLY USED
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CabinTalk® PA system: Perfect for checking in with kids in the third row without yelling.
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CabinWatch® camera: Let us keep an eye on the littles without turning around. Plus they loved seeing themselves on the screen.
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USB ports and cup holders everywhere: From keeping our devices connected to the entertainment system, to charging phones. It was a win!
The Odyssey was clearly designed with families in mind. Every feature made things easier.
TECH & SAFETY FOR PEACE OF MIND
Honda Sensing® comes standard on the Canadian Black Edition, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking. On long stretches of highway, these features gave us extra confidence and peace of mind.
The blind spot information system was incredibly useful when backing out at crowded spaces and driving in downtown Vancouver. Add in Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and we had seamless navigation and entertainment wherever we went.
One thing that did take some getting used to was that there is no longer a DVD player. We are a family that still uses DVDs, and our other devices are very limited. You do have to bring your own device and connect it in order to be able to play a movie on the screen. A must in our books for the long road trips. We had to make sure we had everything we wanted loaded onto the device we use.
PACKING FOR CAMPING
We’ll be honest: we weren’t sure if everything we needed for a week of camping would fit. We shared our worries on our Instagram stories, and other families were quick to share their tips and tricks for camping when taking an Odyssey. The Odyssey did surprise us. The deep cargo well behind the 3rd row allowed us to stack up bins. When we needed even more room, the 3rd-row Magic Seat® folds flat into the floor, making space for bigger items. Even with six people, the van felt organized instead of crammed. That alone felt like a camping miracle.
If we were to purchase a Honda Odyssey for ourselves, we would be investing in a trailer hitch, roof rails and cross bars, trunk cargo bins, and a cargo box. All of this would add even more packing space for family adventures.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Under the hood is a 3.5L V6 engine with 280 hp paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Even fully loaded with kids and gear, the Odyssey had no trouble climbing hills or passing on the highway.
On the winding road, it handled far more confidently than we expected from a minivan — stable, quiet, and smooth. In the city, it felt easy to maneuver despite its size, which feels key for busy parking lots.
Over our time test-driving this, including the long drive to Oliver and lots of city driving, we averaged about 12L/100 Km. For a van carrying six people and all of our camping gear, we were pleasantly surprised by that number.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After two weeks with the 2025 Honda Odyssey Black Edition, our family was hooked. It fit car seats for younger kids and had plenty of room for older kids without compromise, made packing everything for camping work, and kept everyone comfortable on short and long drives.
It’s rare to find a vehicle that parents love just as much as kids. The Odyssey does exactly that. The fact that our children were genuinely sad to see it go says it all. This isn’t just a minivan, it’s a family home on wheels.
For families looking for space, safety, and style, the 2025 Honda Odyssey Black Edition should be at the top of your list.
