2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its styling. The new model year introduced a redesigned grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. New wheel designs were also introduced for the top three trims, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, enhancing its luxurious appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, boasted a stylish design that seemed timeless. Its upright stance, almost horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique look that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. Roof rails and wide-spaced letters spelling the Venue's name added to its crossover appeal. The Venue's headlights were split into two pieces, and the taillights featured an interesting pattern of triangles and diagonal elements. For 2021, Hyundai replaced the 15-inch steel wheels on the base SE trim with 15-inch alloys, while the SEL and Denim trims received 17-inch alloys as standard. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was the most visually appealing option, while the SEL trim offered better value with standard features previously part of the Convenience Package.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow, along with paddle shifters. The Odyssey's fuel-saving variable cylinder management technology allowed it to achieve an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing brake pedal feel and response, and its ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience. Despite these improvements, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue housed a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), as the six-speed manual transmission was discontinued for 2021. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup and selectable drive mode for snowy conditions provided adequate performance for its size. While the Venue's powertrain didn't offer thrilling performance, its lightweight design allowed for sprightly movement in lower-speed areas. Despite its modest power output, the Venue's 2,612-pound weight made it feel lively when accelerating from a stoplight.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and well-organized interior, with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, provided comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and a maximum volume of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its compact size, provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, along with decent storage space. The center console's bin was small but functional, and automatic climate control effectively managed the cabin's temperature. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults, but sufficient headroom. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 31.9 cubic feet with the seat folded, lagging behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport. While the Venue offered extra ground clearance, its cargo capacity was not its strong suit.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and more. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, and a CabinWatch interior camera, while Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features, but the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, with a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, failed to impress tech-savvy children.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue impressed with its tech offerings, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided easy access to media sources, and the interface was designed for simplicity. The infotainment system supported driver profiles, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Venue's radio interface, with its tube-amp-style bulb display, added a charming touch. While the base SE trim would receive wireless CarPlay in the future, the SEL and Denim trims offered a well-rounded tech experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey enhanced its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though not always smoothly, and its structural integrity earned top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's ADAS was seamlessly integrated, avoiding distracting alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for front collision and rollover.