2021 Toyota Venza 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. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern look by reducing brightwork. The interior received upgrades with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale feel. The Odyssey offered four trim levels, with pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845, and an additional $300 for colours other than grey or silver.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza was noted for its sleek, Lexus-like design, drawing comparisons to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept. The Venza was shorter and lower than the RAV4 but shared the same wheelbase, offering a unique blend of style and practicality. Available in three trims—LE, XLE, and Limited—the Venza came in seven paint colours, with a long list of standard features, including LED headlights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior boasted premium appointments, with a focus on comfort and elegance, making it a refined choice for those seeking a stylish SUV.

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. However, the lack of all-wheel drive was a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey's handling was enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable ride quality. Despite improvements, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid system, paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), offered smooth acceleration, though engine noise was noticeable during rapid acceleration. The Venza's handling was confident, with all-wheel drive providing stability. Its fuel efficiency was impressive, achieving 5.9 L/100 km in the city, 6.4 on the highway, and 6.1 combined, outperforming competitors. Toyota's hybrid powertrain came with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty, adding peace of mind for buyers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and practicality, with logical controls and ample storage. The minivan featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and Honda's Magic Slide second-row seat layout, offering versatile seating configurations. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, detracting from its overall convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a unique cabin design with premium materials and a focus on comfort. The centre stack featured capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, while the deep centre console provided ample storage. The Venza accommodated five passengers comfortably, with more headroom than the RAV4. Cargo space was 816 litres, sufficient for daily use but less than some competitors. The quick-flip rear seatbacks made arranging cargo space easy, enhancing its practicality for everyday driving.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Cabin Control app. 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 Toyota Venza's infotainment system varied by trim, with the LE featuring an 8-inch screen and the XLE and Limited boasting a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system in higher trims. Toyota connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, providing additional convenience. The larger screen offered good response time but was not as user-friendly as competitors, requiring multiple menu trips for simple tasks.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, including 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 the adaptive cruise control's braking could be smoother. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims, enhancing its safety credentials.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including pre-collision warning, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with upgrades available on higher trims. The Venza earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, providing peace of mind for buyers.