2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to modernize its decade-old styling theme. The new grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights featuring automatic high-beam operation, gave the Odyssey a contemporary edge. A gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched across the taillights, adding a touch of sophistication. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Odyssey offered an upscale look with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, particularly in the Touring trim. These enhancements, combined with toned-down chrome and handsome alloy wheels, brought the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 exhibited a blend of Cadillac's signature design elements with a compact footprint and tall profile. Its bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights were unmistakably Cadillac, yet the overall design felt somewhat ungainly. The Premium Luxury and Sport models featured distinct styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter opting for darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for its standout features, such as semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microfibre sueded headliner. Despite these materials, the interior lacked a strong design theme, failing to make a statement like its competitors.

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, along with paddle shifters. The V6 featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, achieving an average of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put the Odyssey 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 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to luxury driving, and the cabin remained impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality, with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, though the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was a drawback. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered 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 and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. However, rear headroom was less than its German rivals. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, particularly in the rear. Cargo space was impressive, with 850 litres behind the rear seats and 1,784 litres with them folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation, while the Touring grade included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk PA system. The lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen disappointed younger passengers.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While usability was improved, the tech still lagged behind competitors. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not user-friendly, and the array of secondary controls cluttered the centre console. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey boasted an impressive array of safety features, with Honda Sensing now standard. The system included 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, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective than a vibration.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though its headlight rating was only "Marginal," and the LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating.