2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was a testament to Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. With 40 updates introduced in the 2020 model year, the XT5 showcased a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. Its exterior featured a snub-nosed design with distinct trim level differentiation, highlighted by standard LED lights and 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch designs available. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale interior than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal design lines and straightforward materials. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents, rivaling the finery of the Escalade.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan designed with family convenience in mind. Its sliding side doors made loading toddlers into rear-facing seats a breeze, while the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers with ease. The Odyssey's classic minivan design featured kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines, with the Touring trim boasting dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, the Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior with quality leather, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for child seating and easy access to the third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a choice of engines across its Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An upgrade to a 3.6-litre V6 engine was available for the Premium Luxury trim, providing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, and was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel consumption for the V6 AWD model was 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, better than the expected 11.2 L/100 km combined estimate.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 10.4 L/100 km. While the Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, its brakes exhibited pedal vibration and grumbling when descending hills, especially when fully loaded. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and responsive, providing a pleasant driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided seating for four adults in two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was good, headroom was limited for taller passengers. The front seats, though visually appealing, were not as comfortable on long trips. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space, with a deep rear cargo area hampered by wheel bump-outs. A cargo-management system and hands-free power liftgate were available, but small-item storage was limited, with no ideal spot for a smartphone.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. Its wide-opening doors and lower seating position made entry easy. The Touring trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and 3,984 litres with the second row removed.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system, with a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display were also offered. The XT5's technology package was functional but not groundbreaking.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring trim came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment features were considered outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. A major upgrade was deemed necessary for future models.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, and Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features. However, not all safety technologies were standard across all trims.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. While Honda Sensing was comprehensive, it lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.