2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its grille, front bumper, and taillights, complemented by standard LED headlights across all trims. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing its modern appeal. The interior boasted perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and ambient lighting, elevating its luxury quotient. Despite these updates, the Odyssey maintained its reputation as a practical and stylish minivan, offering a range of trim levels with pricing from $44,645 to $55,845, plus an additional charge for non-grey or silver paint options.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX, with updates to the grille surround and bumper designs. The RDX lineup included the exclusive PMC Edition, showcasing a unique Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The A-Spec Platinum Elite package, priced at $60,375 in Canada, offered high-quality materials and a quieter cabin, enhancing its premium feel. While the RDX's design exuded flair, some elements, like the vertical air inlets, were less appealing. Overall, the RDX combined style with a focus on comfort and build quality.

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, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with our testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. Despite lacking all-wheel drive, the Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, highlighting a need for improvement.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system contributed to its dynamic driving experience. The RDX's fuel consumption was rated at 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres, though our testing averaged 11.4 L/100 km. The revised Integrated Dynamics System and adaptive-damping suspension offered distinct driving modes, enhancing comfort and responsiveness. The RDX's quiet cabin and engaging driving dynamics made it a compelling choice, though it lacked the thrill of some German competitors.

Inside the 2021 Honda Odyssey, drivers enjoyed clear instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided comfort, while heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on higher trims. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered versatile seating configurations, though removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo space was cumbersome. The Odyssey provided 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 3,984 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though compact, offered generous space for four adults and their luggage, enhanced by a panoramic sunroof. The interior featured a sporty design with a focus on the driving position. The 12-way power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, with available ventilation. However, the rear seats lacked support, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate and hidden storage compartments added convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 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 audio system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, paired with a 10.2-inch display. The TTI's touchpad controller required acclimation, but Alexa Built-in and wireless smartphone connectivity reduced reliance on it. The RDX offered three premium sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D system featuring 16 speakers. The A-Spec Platinum Elite trim included a head-up display, enhancing the tech experience.

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 and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder and enhanced AcuraWatch systems, with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though some driver-assist systems could be more refined.