Not so long ago, the minivan, like the 2023 Honda Odyssey, was the official vehicle of the American family. It signified the modern family with its ease of access, comfortable ride, and Swiss Army-like multifunction usability. A minivan could start its life as a family hauler, then later in life could be used to haul equipment around as a pickup truck alternative. With so many options, here is a comparison of the 2023 Honda Odyssey and the Pilot.

The decline of the minivan

At the height of the minivan, there was a model for everyone. But now, in 2023, the age of the minivan has come and gone, with only a few models left in America to choose from. All American manufacturers other than Chrysler have abandoned the minivan, and the few remaining companies that still produce the minivan come from overseas.

The Honda Odyssey is one of these minivans still being produced by a Japanese company. While Honda is indeed a Japanese company, the Odyssey itself is all-American, being built in Alabama since 2001. The Honda Odyssey continues to sell well despite the age of the minivan being long gone, and it may be one of the best values on the market today, with the similarly sized Honda Pilot going for a higher price but offering the same features. Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 Honda Odyssey and why it just may be a better value for you over the similar Honda Pilot.

2023 Honda Pilot: price, specs, and features

The 2023 Honda Pilot is a three-row midsize SUV offering a great amount of space and features. The 2023 Honda Pilot starts at $40,495 MSRP and comes standard with a 285 hp 3.5-liter V6. This engine is paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and comes in both front and all-wheel drive setups.

The 2023 Honda Pilot comes in five different trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, and Elite models. Car and Driver suggest the EX-L trim as the best value for the money with its leather seats, 9-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a power tailgate.

While the standard V6 engine is a great value, this does hurt fuel economy numbers a bit, with the Pilot getting around 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, making this a decent option as a daily driver, but not the best if sipping fuel is a priority for you. The 2023 Pilot has been redesigned from the ground up for the 2023 model year, making this a great year to get in on the Honda Pilot and see what all the hype is about.

2023 Honda Odyssey: price, specs, and features

The 2023 Honda Odyssey is an 8-passenger full-size minivan that brings the minivan into the modern era with a ton of tech and features. The 2023 Honda Odyssey starts at $38,835 and includes the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the Honda Pilot and the same ten-speed transmission as well.

Five different trim levels are available for the 2023 Honda Odyssey, including the EX, EX-L, Sport, Touring, and Elite trim levels. According to Car and Driver, the best of these models is the EX-L trim, which adds leather seats, extra USB ports in the rear of the car for back seat passengers, and a power-operated liftgate.

The 2023 Honda Odyssey gets around 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, and just like the minivans of the 80s and 90s, the interior is infinitely customizable with Magic Slide seats that slide both sides to side and forward and backward to allow for as much cargo space is possible.

In a blind comparison, the 2023 Honda Odyssey is simply a better vehicle in nearly every way on paper. It has more cargo capacity, more capability, more passenger capacity, slightly better fuel economy, and more tech throughout the vehicle at a lower price when compared to the Honda Pilot. It is hard to justify the higher price found on the Pilot when just about everything is better with the Honda Odyssey. If you are looking to save some money and don’t mind being seen in a minivan, look no further than a 2023 Honda Odyssey for all of your SUV-sized needs.