2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new model year introduced a refreshed 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. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. The Odyssey was available in four trim levels, with base pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845, and an additional $300 for colours other than grey or silver. The interior featured new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ambient dashboard lighting, and tri-colour floor mats, contributing to a more upscale look and feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design with the new face of the Nissan Armada, Ariya, and Rogue. The Kicks featured a bold V-motion design with a "double V-motion" feature, thinner and longer headlights, and a new bumper and LED taillight combination at the rear. The SR and SR Premium trims received LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options and a two-tone paint job with a floating roof, enhancing its upmarket appearance. The SR Premium trim included LED headlights, black heated outside mirrors, and a sportier aesthetic with dark chrome grille accents. The interior boasted higher quality materials, new seat and door designs, and a full centre console armrest, with the SR Premium offering Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design.

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. The drivetrain remained unchanged from the previous year, offering smooth and effortless power. The engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. Despite lacking all-wheel drive, the Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels and improved brake pedal feel contributed to its handling capabilities, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension provided nimble handling, making it easy to navigate city streets and highways. While the Kicks was not particularly powerful, its power-to-weight ratio was adequate for its size. The CVT could become noisy under heavy acceleration, but the Kicks maintained good composure on icy roads. The SR Premium trim featured 17-inch black alloy wheels, and all models came with all-season tires. The Kicks also included standard traction control, stability control, and hill start assist, with the SV and SR trims offering improved rear disc brakes.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and well-organized interior with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The driver's seat was 12-way power-adjustable, providing comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. Heated front seats and outboard mirrors were standard, with the EX-L Navi trim adding a heated steering wheel and the Touring grade offering 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 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third-row seats tumbled, and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured a compact interior with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and accessible USB ports. The climate controls were straightforward, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks had a D-shaped steering wheel, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The front seats offered best-in-class legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and more. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation, with the Touring grade featuring a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Touring trim also included an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a competitive array of technology features, with the base model Kicks S including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and satellite radio. The SR Premium trim boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two in the front seat headrests, providing an immersive audio experience. The Kicks SR Premium also featured a surround-view monitor, offering a 360-degree camera view for easier parking.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though the adaptive cruise control could apply uneven braking. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its impressive IIHS ratings, with top NHTSA ratings for crash tests, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and more. The Kicks SV and SR added adaptive cruise control and a driver alertness monitor. The 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received Good marks in crashworthiness. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Kicks a four-star overall rating, with a strong history of few recalls.