2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design that had been subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a refreshed grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern appeal by minimizing brightwork. The interior boasted new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, along with dashboard ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey's upscale feel. The vehicle's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, contributed to a more refined interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied Audi's design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear was marked by bold taillights. The Q5 PHEV variant included S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, offering standard 19-inch wheels with an option for 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern appearance, with smartly grouped controls and high-quality materials. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed for driver visibility, and the second row was well-appointed with standard leather upholstery.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing adaptive cruise control and brake pedal feel. While the Odyssey offered a pleasurable driving experience with well-managed ride and handling qualities, its brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took performance to another level with a combined output of 362 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque, thanks to its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and 14.1-kWh battery. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, with impressive fuel efficiency of 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres combined. The Q5 PHEV's battery could be recharged overnight or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The drivetrain featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive, offering various driving modes for battery power management. The Q5's handling was characterized by a sporty setting, minimal body roll, and powerful braking.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious interior with logical controls and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable with 12-way power adjustment, while heated front seats and mirrors were standard in Canada. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV excelled in smart packaging, with its battery pack located under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 710 litres of space behind the second row, expanding to 1,503 litres with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom and ample headroom and shoulder room. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments. The interior featured well-placed cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the centre console, reflecting its uncluttered design.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim included an 11-speaker premium audio system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted Audi's MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The cabin featured customizable LED ambient lighting and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto were included, enhancing the Q5's tech-savvy appeal.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS, with top NHTSA ratings except for rollover resistance. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the gasoline model received top ratings except for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, electronic stability control, and available driver-assistance features like Audi Pre Sense front and adaptive cruise control.