2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling cues that set them apart. The base LS and LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, while the luxurious High Country trim showcased a chrome bar grille and body-colour mirror caps. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille, standard LED headlights, and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look.

In terms of pricing, the Tahoe LS started at $57,048, with the High Country reaching up to $81,448. The Z71 trim we tested, priced at $59,200, included several option packages, bringing the total to $80,293. Inside, the Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, though the control layout was somewhat compromised. The interior quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic. The Tahoe offered a maximum seating capacity of eight, with leather seats standard from the LT trim onwards.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors provided easy access, especially when loading children into car seats. The Odyssey's third-row seat offered comfort for adults, making it ideal for family outings or carpools. With its Magic Slide second-row seats, the Odyssey allowed for flexible seating arrangements, enhancing convenience for families. The Touring trim we tested featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a stylish design, though it adhered to the classic minivan proportions.

The Odyssey's interior was designed with family needs in mind, offering quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with various compartments for stashing items. The Odyssey's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was generous, accommodating 929 litres. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo space to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats provided a Suburban-sized cargo volume of 3,984 litres. The Odyssey's practicality and comfort made it a strong contender for families seeking a versatile vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options, with the standard 5.3-litre V8 delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured an exclusive 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine was also available, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, except for the Z71 trim. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires.

The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change for the 2021 model was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Tahoe Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to the adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-litre V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The Tahoe's handling was commendable, with the suspension upgrades controlling body roll and excessive motion.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel-drive minivan employed a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. The Odyssey's fuel consumption estimate was 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating a need for more robust braking performance.

The Odyssey's driving experience was generally pleasant, with quick merging onto highways and responsive handling on twisty roads. However, the brakes' tendency to heat up on mountain grades was a concern, especially when carrying a full load of passengers. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of comfort and performance for family journeys.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, though ventilated seats were available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a notable feature, providing additional storage options. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable and convenient. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe's cargo space was impressive, with 722 litres behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum volume of 3,480 litres.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Touring trim featured quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with various compartments for stashing items. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, enhancing convenience for families. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was generous, accommodating 929 litres. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo space to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats provided a Suburban-sized cargo volume of 3,984 litres.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system offered over-the-air update capability and enhanced cybersecurity protection. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural speech. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade 9-speaker Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though the test vehicle lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, as well as a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. The Touring trim also featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered underwhelming, with a need for a larger screen and more advanced features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features such as Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected, though the audible alert for pedestrian detection could be distracting. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too sharply to changing driving situations. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.