2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to the grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern appeal by minimizing brightwork. The interior featured new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, along with dashboard ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey's upscale feel. The seating material and design improvements, along with tri-colour floor mats, contributed to a more refined interior, making the Odyssey Touring a strong contender in the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance ruggedness with sophistication, following a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the Black Edition in 2020. Despite these efforts, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims, with the Black Edition offering exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. The interior featured quality materials, though the hard plastic panels were noticeable. The Pilot's design, with its flat dashboard and low centre console, gave it a minivan-like feel from the front seat, which, combined with its exterior styling, did not enhance its appeal.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by 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, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. While the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, it featured a new electronic brake booster and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2021 Honda Pilot also featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the all-wheel-drive system, which could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.9 L/100 km. The SUV's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system. The Pilot's steering and brakes were responsive, though the brakes could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and functional interior, with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The driver's seat was comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and inboard armrests, 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 and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for families, with seating for up to eight people. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were optional, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seats were less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin. The Pilot's cargo space measured 524 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,092 litres with all seats folded. The power tailgate and hands-free operation were convenient features.

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 offered an 11-speaker audio system, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. 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 and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with similar connectivity features. The EX-L Navi trim added navigation, while the Touring trim offered wireless charging, a premium audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system lacked a tuning knob, and voice recognition required specific prompts. The Touring trim's rear-seat entertainment system included a DVD/Blu-Ray player and streaming apps, but children might prefer using their own devices with the Wi-Fi.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking was not always smooth, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective.

The 2021 Honda Pilot also featured Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot's crash-test ratings were favourable, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS. However, the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was not ideal.