Pete Davidson is Going to Be a Dad. We Have Advice For Him—and Thoughts on His Tricked-Out Honda Odyssey
Built in conjunction with eBay Motors, will this new dad’s ideal minivan stand up to the realities of parenting?
Pete Davidson and his girlfriend Elsie Hewitt are expecting their first child and we are so very excited for them. A baby changes your life. It adds meaning and joy. It makes you feel the most human you’ve ever felt, more vulnerable than you can imagine, grateful for the kindness of strangers. It empowers your courage and intuition and makes you realize how strong and smart you really are (and proves wrong those who doubted you in the past. So there). And it inspires you to do something you never, ever, ever thought you’d do: Buy a minivan.
Recognizing that Pete Davidson may be among that last category and shopping for a minivan, eBay Motors got a jump on his minivan-musings and helped him to build a custom van with outfitter Tony Angelo. And, there were actually two built: one for Pete and Elsie, and one that eBay Motors is auctioning off to benefit charity. While we applaud his embrace of what may be the best family car on the road, we have thoughts about this customization. Here’s what we love and what we’d have done differently.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
A Tricked Out, Bad-Ass Honda Odyssey Is on Tap
To create the souped up, tricked-out, fun-filled minivan that Pete will actually like driving, eBay Motors tapped a 2022 Honda Odyssey, arguably one of the best minivans on the road. We are fans.
And, then they hired outfitter Tony Angelo and Stay Tuned to customize the Odyssey to fit Pete’s dreams. Making a minivan into one that a parent wants to drive as much as it fits the needs of a family has long been the goal of carmakers and parents.
Read: Honda Odyssey Review: Comfort, Tech and—Yes!—A Vacuum
Pete’s Minivan Modifications and What We Think
The first thing Tony did was to amend the mechanics of the Honda Odyssey to make it a little more badass and capable. The Odyssey was updated with a new air intake and muffler for better engine performance. Then, it was lifted for a 2” higher ground clearance and outfitted with all-terrain tires and satin rims for a subtle sense of cool.
We also like that a roof top box was added for extra storage, as was an extendable awning that can offer a place to sit in the shade, perfect for nursing the baby on a warm afternoon, and extra lights that’ll ensure the van stays safely on the trail.
Read: Minivan Showdown: Toyota Sienna vs. Chrysler Pacifica vs. Honda Odyssey
All Terrain Tires and Higher Ground Clearance Add Capability
Pete wanted an off-road vibe for his minivan but there’s one key thing missing—at least in our book: All wheel drive. This isn’t offered on the Honda Odyssey, and a family that lives in Upstate NY where the winter months are snowy, the landscape is hilly and mud season is a thing, may miss it.
Still, the higher ground clearance and all terrain tires should help in wintry weather, but Pete and Elsie may want to consider winter tires from October to April to ensure they’re never stuck, or worse, sliding backward on a steep grade.
Read: Why the Toyota Sienna Minivan is My Eleven Year Old’s Dream Car
That Engine Upgrade: A Good Idea?
We’re the first to cheer on the track mamas and papas in our world; cars should be driven. But that first time you decide to let your littles feel the thrill of your car’s HP on the highway, or worse, on a twisty road, and they show their gratitude with a hearty upchuck of lunch, you’ll curb your NASCAR tendencies until you’re on an actual track—without the kids.
Motion sickness is a serious consideration for little kids; they seem to get car sick easier than adults thanks to their ever-growing body and circumstances that exacerbate vertigo, such as riding in a rear-facing car seat, an oncoming cold, teething or eyes glued to a screen or book.
Read: Why We Are SOOOO Excited About the 2025 Kia Carnival—Now Also With a Hybrid Option
Interior Upgrades Add Things Most Parents Can Only Dream About
On the interior, Pete and Tony made a few modifications, some that are the stuff of dreams. The rest of the interior was left in its original state, and this is where I raise a bit of praise but also, some criticism.
First, the Honda Odysseys chosen have black interiors. Cool for a dude car, but a dad car? We’d say go with gray or beige for many, many reasons:
- Dark interiors get really hot in the summer and take time to cool off, heating up baby and other passengers
- Just because you can’t see the dirt, or sticky lollipop, doesn’t mean it’s not there; this is a discovery that usually surfaces an inopportune time (hello, old lollipop that had to be cut out of the dog’s fur)
- Brighter interiors are a cheerier place to be, especially in gloomy winter weather
- Brighter interiors make it easier to find all the things that fall on the floor, under the seats, between the seats and hiding in crevices
- Even bright interiors are easy to clean; carmakers treat leathers and leatherette for all the things children inflict upon them
Read: From Tots to Teenagers: Years Later, Our Minivan Still Meets Our Family’s Needs
Is A VHS Player Ideal for Sharing Your Collection With Your Kid?
The curation of screen time in the car has been a parenting staple since the advent of, yes, the VHS tape. To share his favorite movies and shows with his child, Pete had a VHS player added to the Odyssey, viewable on the screen that folds from the ceiling.
While we applaud the idea of sharing classic movies with our kids, most of us choose streaming for one single and very key reason: No one can step on a Netflix account, grind it into the floor, break it and hide it under muddy boots.
We do like having a screen that folds down from the ceiling, though; it preserves seat space for rear facing car seats, front seat legroom is preserved and everyone in the rear can see the screen.
An Actual Fridge Was Added to the Odyssey
We love this detail but would have done it differently: Pete and Tony added a Dometic refrigerator between the two center row seats the Odyssey. It’s an actual refrigerator rather than simply a cooler, which is nice.
But it eliminates one of the most brilliant features in the Odyssey: the sliding center row seats and removable middle seat. This seat can be taken out for pass-through access to the 3rd row, replaced for an 8th seat or folded down to serve as an arm rest and cup holders. With it removed you can push the seats to one side or the other and position them forward or back. This is a standout feature and unique to the Odyssey so we’re sorry to see it was taken up with a refrigerator. We would have opted for installing it in the front center console instead. Yes, you lose storage but you gain… a refrigerator!
And the Holy Grail… A Baby Changing Station? Yes, and No
One of the top points of pride in this modification is the baby changing station in the cargo area.
But should it be? I’m not so convinced.
Yes, the under-table storage is clever and looks really nice. And having a solid, secure place to change the baby is a true gift in those moments when you just can’t wait one more minute to change that diaper.
However, the changing station and storage takes up the Odyssey’s other most impressive asset: The deep storage well behind the 3rd row. This cargo area will fit a couple of strollers, backpacks, diaper bags and the Costco haul. It also prevents creating more cargo space by folding the 3rd row because they fold into the floor where the storage space is (and, the changing station would block that space from accessibility anyway).
And looking at the photos of the modification I am left wondering—where will the stroller go? If a changing station is a must-have, and I get it, it’s a luxury, maybe one that attaches to the back of the 3rd row seats and folds would be a better solution since it would leave room for the stroller and other gear too. Hanging storage that clips to seat backs is a common accessory for minivans and would make a good place to stow diapers, wipes and other baby gear.
Moms have created lots and lots of clever workarounds to changing a baby in a minivan. My favorite: fold one of the center row seats flat and use the seat back. You can even do this standing inside the minivan because they are that roomy. Isn’t that brilliant?
Enter to Win the Only Other Pete Davidson-Spec Honda Odyssey
The auction for the second modified Honda Odyssey, which is part of eBay’s Built to Spec series that uses modifications to inspire people to customize their own cars, will end December 19th. Proceeds will benefit Answer the Call which supports families of NYC first responders who were killed in the line of duty, an effort that is close to Pete’s heart since he lost his own father to the 9/11 attacks. You can see the Odyssey that’s being auctioned off here.
Pete and Elsie’s baby is due any minute and let’s just hope that now that they have their ideal car, they’ve also invested in the right child car seat to protect their precious bundle.
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