2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few unique elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic features, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The color palette offered limited vibrant options, with most colors being shades of gray, black, or white, and the more interesting hues were restricted to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seats and a choice of black, gray, or ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the traditional minivan design, managed to incorporate a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, adding a touch of sophistication. The Odyssey's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering quality materials and a classic open-concept layout. Despite its utilitarian design, the Odyssey provided a comfortable and spacious environment, with features like tri-zone climate control and supportive seating. While not as stylish as the Kia Carnival, the Odyssey still managed to present a more appealing aesthetic compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It delivered smooth and steady acceleration, taking about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossover SUVs. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided a consistent driving experience but lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It utilized 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 an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during repeated use, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Overall, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience, but its braking system required improvement for better performance on mountain grades.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably accommodate five passengers and their gear, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed through a manual tailgate on lower trims, while higher trims featured power and hands-free tailgate options. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was functional, with a focus on practicality rather than luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. It featured wide-opening doors and a lower ride height for easy access. The Elite trim offered quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, enhancing passenger comfort and safety. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area provided 32.8 cubic feet of space behind it. With the third-row seat folded, the Odyssey offered 88.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 144.9 cubic feet, rivaling the capacity of a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring and Elite trims included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system as standard, which included advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey also prioritized safety, with Honda Sensing standard across all trims. It included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, but its blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned.