2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to the grille and front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert at the rear and a new 19-inch wheel design for the Touring trim modernized its look. The interior was enhanced with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale feel. The Odyssey's design tweaks aimed to reduce brightwork, aligning it closer to a luxury minivan experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo embraced a bold aesthetic with shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, and side mirror housings, complemented by matte black body cladding. This design choice gave the CX-30 a floating appearance, distinct from the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based. The cabin mirrored the Mazda3's quality materials and design, offering an upscale vibe with stitched chocolate brown surfaces. The CX-30's styling and elevated stance differentiated it from its sibling, providing a unique presence on the road.

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. It featured driving modes such as Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow, with paddle shifters for manual control. The V6 engine's variable cylinder management technology contributed to its fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive was a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were well-balanced, though its brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on fuel octane. It offered a robust torque output of up to 320 lb-ft, ensuring strong acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel efficiency was rated at 9.6 L/100 km, with a driving range of approximately 500 kilometres. Its i-Activ AWD system and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced handling, though the added height and weight compared to the Mazda3 affected its agility. The CX-30 Turbo excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Off-Road mode and increased ground clearance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats as standard. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with up to 3,984 litres available when the second-row seats were removed. However, the process of removing and reinstalling these seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a driver-focused interior with eight-way manual seat adjustment and heated front seats. While the cabin's design created a sense of spaciousness, the rear seat was cramped for adults. Cargo capacity was 572 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,280 litres with them folded. The placement of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the centre console limited storage options.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a premium audio system. 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 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display controlled via physical controls and voice commands. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the system's complexity in changing radio stations was frustrating. The GT trim added a navigation system, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and an Active Driving Display. The lack of a touchscreen was a notable omission.

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 earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though its adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, though it lacked high-speed lane-centring assistance. The GT trim added an adaptive front lighting system and parking sensors, enhancing safety in various driving conditions.