2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its decade-old styling theme. 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 level debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, contributing to a modernized look by reducing brightwork. The interior enhancements, including perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ambient dashboard lighting, and tri-colour floor mats, elevated the Odyssey's upscale feel, making it a more luxurious option in the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of traditional crossovers. The ID.4 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn't resemble a typical SUV, the ID.4's interior design combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with 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, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. While the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, it featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing the adaptive cruise control's low-speed following capability and improving brake pedal feel. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and expertly managed body motions, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two powertrain configurations. The base rear-wheel drive version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive version added a second electric motor, increasing total power output to 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's handling was balanced, with the rear wheels driving and the front wheels steering, although it was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness. The electric motor provided ample power, and the ID.4's ride was smooth over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 relied on friction brakes, with regenerative braking available in "B" mode but not allowing for one-pedal driving.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage space. The driver's seat was comfortable, with a 12-way power adjustment and inboard armrests, while heated front seats and mirrors were standard in Canada. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third-row seat, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third-row seat tumbled and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, detracting from the overall convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious, with more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average. Cargo space measured 858 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing several EV competitors but falling short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk," prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior featured a twist-grip gear selector, freeing up space on the centre console, although storage options were limited. The ID.4's heated steering wheel and front seats efficiently maintained cabin warmth during cold weather, although the driver's seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle 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 technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, although the lack of a touchscreen disappointed younger passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced traditional controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were challenging to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4's natural-language voice-control system offered an alternative, responding to prompts like "Hello ID." The ID.Light feature added a futuristic touch, communicating information through a light strip. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned, with intuitive menus and smartphone-like icons.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey boasted an impressive array of safety features, with Honda Sensing now standard across all trims. The system included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's structural integrity remained unchanged, earning top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking could be uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective than a vibration.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. The ID.4 offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. New features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist enhanced safety, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane centring and responsive acceleration and deceleration.