2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced initially in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride with ample cabin space. By 2015, the second generation had arrived, and a styling update in 2019 aimed to keep it competitive. However, this update was considered slightly delayed compared to rivals like Honda and Toyota, which typically redesign their vehicles every six years. The 2019 styling, carried over to 2020, gave the Edge a crossover version of the Fusion's look, with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. Inside, the Edge showed its age with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite subtle updates. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from its appeal.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor updates for the new model year. These included a new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design. These changes aimed to modernize the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The interior featured new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, enhancing its upscale feel. The Odyssey's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, added to its appeal. The Touring trim's 19-inch alloy wheels and toned-down chrome contributed to a more luxurious appearance, positioning the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered solid low-end acceleration, making it suitable for city driving. However, it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, providing a smooth yet engaging driving experience. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST's performance was enhanced by a Sport mode, which improved throttle response and transmission mapping, and an available ST Performance Brake Package.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine, with variable cylinder management, offered smooth power delivery and fuel efficiency, averaging 10.8 L/100 km in testing. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, a disadvantage in snowy conditions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster, improving brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-managed body motions and firm yet comfortable suspension. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels and improved brake modulation enhanced its handling capabilities.

The 2020 Ford Edge boasted a well-designed cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road. The seats were surrounded by ample storage compartments, making it ideal for commuting or road trips. The second-row provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge offered 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. This was more than a Jeep Grand Cherokee but slightly less than a Nissan Murano or Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and abundant storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base trim, was comfortable with adjustable armrests. Heated front seats and mirrors were standard in Canada, with the EX-L Navi trim adding a heated steering wheel. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 929 litres, expandable to 2,452 litres with the third-row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons for easy navigation. The Edge also included two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera. A semi-digital instrument panel was available on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and more. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added a navigation system, while the Touring grade included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Touring trim also offered an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems as standard, with new capabilities for 2021. These included low-speed follow for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though not always smoothly. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its impressive IIHS ratings, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for most crash tests.