2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates that included a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a 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 reducing brightwork. The interior was upgraded with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more luxurious feel. The Odyssey was available in four trim levels, with pricing starting at $44,645, and an additional charge for colours other than grey or silver.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, resulting in a more muscular and imposing presence. The squared-off nose featured a deeper V-Motion grille design, flanked by narrow LED headlamps and functional air vents. The exterior colour palette was simplified, with a few two-tone options available on the Platinum grade. The interior offered cloth seating in most grades, with leatherette and semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather available in higher trims. The Rogue's redesign improved its aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to a lower coefficient of drag despite its boxier proportions.

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 an average of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The Odyssey's handling was enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable ride quality. The brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with direct injection, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing a balanced performance for the Rogue's weight. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with ratings of 8.9 L/100 km in city driving and 7.0 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive was available, adding to the cost but improving traction. The Rogue's handling was enhanced by a 27% improvement in torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and functional interior, with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The driver's seat was highly adjustable and comfortable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided 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 and up to 3,984 litres with seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's interior updates included a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats and mirrors, with upgrades available in higher trims. The Platinum grade offered a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, providing 1,028 litres of space with the second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The system's new rail system allowed for cargo separation, though it was slightly awkward to use.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connectivity options. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system 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 lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports, while the Platinum grade offered a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The head-up display was well-configured, but the digital instrument cluster's graphics were difficult to read. Wireless Android Auto was not available, limiting connectivity options.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's safety features were enhanced with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking was sometimes uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's alerts were not always smooth.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came standard with the Safety Shield 360 suite, offering features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, enhancing highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Early models had lower frontal crash ratings, but improvements were made in later versions.