2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis's first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to balance innovation with the brand's emerging signature style. It featured a long hood, a massive trapezoidal grille, and distinctive Quad Lamp LED headlights, creating a bold and elegant appearance. The interior was a testament to luxury, with a sleek dashboard, minimalistic controls, and high-quality materials like real wood and leather, offering a sophisticated and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey adhered to the classic minivan design but added a touch of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Touring trim featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding a sporty flair. Inside, the Odyssey offered a practical and comfortable space with quality leather upholstery, a low console for easy access, and ample storage options. The minivan's design focused on functionality, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's suspension system, especially in the 3.5T models, provided a smooth ride with features like electronically controlled suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was estimated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive vehicle, lacking the all-wheel-drive option available in some competitors. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 L/100 km combined. While it wasn't designed for sporty driving, the Odyssey offered a pleasant driving experience, though its brakes showed signs of strain on downhill grades.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The centre console housed a rotary gear selector and a multimedia controller with a concave design. The second row was spacious, with power-adjustable seats and climate control, while the third row, available only in 3.5T models, offered additional seating capacity.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in practicality, with wide-opening doors and a low ride height for easy access. The interior boasted quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and ample storage options. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat provided comfort for adults. The Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 3,984 litres with the seats removed.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a digital key function for Android users. The GV80 also offered a head-up display and a premium Lexicon audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey's technology package included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim added CabinWatch and CabinTalk features, a rear entertainment system, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated compared to competitors, lacking a larger screen and more advanced features.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came with 10 airbags and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey also earned high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, with some features responding too abruptly.