2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate, with the latter two featuring a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on all trims except the Essential, where it was an optional upgrade. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colours, though the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar look with minor updates, such as a new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights. It offered four trim levels: EX-RES, EX-L Navi, EX-L RES, and Touring, with base pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845. The Odyssey's interior featured new perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting for an upscale feel. The Touring trim introduced handsome 19-inch alloy wheels and a more luxurious interior, making it closer to serving as the Acura of minivans. The Odyssey's design updates aimed to modernize its appearance while maintaining its practicality and comfort.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, delivering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, especially in the Ultimate trim with laminated glass. The Santa Fe's eight-speed automatic transmission offered power to either the front wheels or all four with AWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the turbocharged engine and AWD consuming 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway. The Santa Fe was competent for daily driving but lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain offered smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. While AWD was unavailable, the Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels and brake upgrades improved handling, though the brakes struggled under heavy use. The Odyssey's driving dynamics were enjoyable, but the brakes required improvement for demanding conditions.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe provided thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The SUV featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the interior's appeal. The back seat offered comfort with air conditioning vents and reclining seats. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and a maximum of 2,019 litres. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and storage, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third-row seat and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior offered practicality and comfort, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and Bluetooth connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, while the Preferred trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. The Luxury trim included a surround-view camera system, and the Ultimate trim offered a larger display, navigation, and a premium sound system. The head-up display provided valuable information, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation, while the Touring grade included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim also featured a premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and limited voice-recognition capabilities were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it wasn't a touchscreen.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Preferred trim added an ultrasonic occupant alert system, while the Luxury trim included a Blind View Monitor. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning. While the ADAS worked accurately, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother.