2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its styling that included a new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert at the rear and a new 19-inch wheel design for the Touring trim modernized its look. The interior was enhanced with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale feel. The Odyssey offered four trim levels, with pricing starting at $44,645, and an extra charge for colours other than grey or silver. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, showcased these updates, making the Odyssey Touring a more luxurious option in the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave underwent a significant mid-cycle refresh, with exterior enhancements such as a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. The Avenir trim featured unique styling elements, including a distinct grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, enhancing comfort. The test vehicle, an Avenir with the Technology package, featured a Rich Garnet Metallic exterior and Ebony leather interior, providing a premium feel. The Enclave's design updates and luxurious touches positioned it as a strong contender in the SUV market.

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. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow, along with paddle shifters. The Odyssey's V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an average consumption 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 ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels and improved brake modulation contributed to its handling prowess, though the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with all-wheel drive in Canada, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, and its QuietTuning technology provided a serene cabin environment. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, with impressive acceleration and a nine-speed automatic transmission that performed seamlessly. The Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road conditions.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with logical controls and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable, with a 12-way power adjustment and heated features. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatility, allowing for various seating configurations. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access full cargo capacity was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior was practical, with thoughtful storage solutions, but lacked some convenience features like a tuning knob for the stereo.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. The Enclave's interior was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs offered versatility, though the seat-folding mechanism could be confusing. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, with concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic shifter. The Enclave's cargo space was ample, with 668 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,758 litres. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making it easy to access the full cargo area.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered 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 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported multiple device pairings and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and Teen Driver technology. The Avenir trim featured advanced options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the exception of rollover resistance. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking could be uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's alerts were not always smooth.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the standard Buick Driver Confidence Plus package. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Premium trims added enhanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high ratings from the IIHS, with only one "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.