2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing its appeal both inside and out. The exterior updates included standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to align with the Lexus car lineup, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear of the vehicle was revamped with dual exhausts, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, complemented by an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX maintained its reputation for luxury with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior offered various colour and material combinations, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. The F Sport packages added unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels, enhancing the sporty appeal. Despite its dated centre stack, the RX's interior was functional and durable, suitable for family use.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained its familiar design but received subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert, refreshed the look. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design. The Odyssey offered four trim levels, with pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845, and an additional charge for non-grey or silver paint. The interior featured new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and ambient lighting in the Touring trim, elevating its upscale feel. The Odyssey's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, enhanced its practicality. The Touring trim's 19-inch alloy wheels and toned-down chrome added to its refined appearance, positioning the Odyssey as a premium minivan option.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350 L variant offered slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h L shared the same powertrain setup. The hybrid models featured an electronically controlled CVT and dual electric motors for all-wheel drive. The RX's acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took approximately 7.9 seconds, with the hybrid models slightly slower. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with the RX 350 achieving 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h excelled at 7.9 L/100 km combined. The RX offered various drive modes, including Sport S+ for F Sport models, enhancing its agility. The RX provided a smooth and connected driving experience, with standard AWD ensuring stability.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow driving modes, with paddle shifters for manual control. The Odyssey's V6 engine offered smooth power delivery, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. It achieved a combined fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km, with our testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. However, it introduced a new electronic brake booster, enhancing adaptive cruise control and brake pedal feel. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with firm but comfortable suspension and well-managed body motions. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels improved handling, though the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was functional, accommodating four adults comfortably in the two-row model. The three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children or pets. The cabin offered good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct views. The RX's cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to rivals. A hands-free liftgate was available on select models, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey provided excellent storage and logical controls, though it lacked a tuning knob for the stereo. The driver's seat was highly adjustable and comfortable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The EX-L Navi trim added a heated steering wheel, while the Touring grade included ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered versatile seating configurations, accommodating passengers and cargo with ease. The third-row seats were spacious, and cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Lexus RX featured an improved infotainment system with an 8.0-inch display and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. Despite improvements, the system remained challenging to navigate. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard, providing alternatives to the Lexus interface. The RX offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and various streaming services for integrated functionality. The centre console touchpad system was more responsive, and the RX included six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation, while the Touring grade included a CabinWatch camera and CabinTalk PA system. The Odyssey's infotainment system lacked a tuning knob, and voice recognition was less intuitive than modern assistants. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it wasn't a touchscreen. The Touring trim offered a premium audio system, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2020 Lexus RX included Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2020 update added bicyclist detection, pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX came with a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though adaptive cruise control could be smoother. The Odyssey maintained its impressive IIHS ratings, with top NHTSA ratings except for rollover resistance.