2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to modernize its decade-old styling theme. It featured a new 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 introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. The interior upgrades, including perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ambient lighting, and tri-colour floor mats, contributed to a more upscale look and feel, positioning the Odyssey as a more luxurious option within the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained much of the same sheet metal as the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a crossover coupe-like appearance. However, the styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It featured standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel options, with the R-Line package adding sportier exterior styling. The interior, while minimalist and functional, was let down by subpar materials, with a mix of hard and shiny plastics that felt cheap and vulnerable to smudges.

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 variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey averaged 10.8 L/100 km in testing, slightly above the estimated 10.6 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, although the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was harsh, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed in wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 907 kg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was 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, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with excellent front and rear legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with the seats folded. The interior featured standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats and various storage solutions, including a centre console and second-row armrest with cupholders. Highline and Execline trims added a foot-activated tailgate for convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered 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 were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured a Digital Cockpit display and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. While the Digital Cockpit was a highlight, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the audio system was underwhelming.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, with enhancements for 2021, including low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rollover resistance rating. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings and a marginal rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Cross Sport also offered unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, though their performance was not flawless.