2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its styling. 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 debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern look by minimizing brightwork. The interior received upgrades, including perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, and new dashboard ambient lighting, contributing to a more upscale feel. The Odyssey's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, added to its appeal, making it a more luxurious option in the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, giving it a bold and imposing presence. Sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, the Suburban featured a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels, resulting in a supersized appearance. The RST trim, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels, offered a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of comfort, from the economically comfortable base LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim boasted Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, 10-way power front seats, and a dark interior theme, which, despite its luxurious touches, felt a bit sombre.

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, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow, and paddle shifters for manual control. The 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 the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-litre V8, featured in the RST trim, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing, with a maximum capacity of 3,765 kilograms. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, while the Magnetic Ride Control in the RST trim further enhanced driving dynamics. The 4WD system offered versatility with multiple settings, although the vehicle's size made it challenging to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with logical controls and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided comfort, while heated front seats and mirrors were standard in Canada. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for 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, expanding to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in seat folding.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine passengers with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row offered ample headroom and legroom, and access was easy. Cargo space was impressive, with 1,175 litres behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with seats folded. The power-sliding centre console and hidden storage drawer added convenience. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to park in tight spaces, and the electronic push-button transmission controls required adjustment for those used to a column-mounted shifter.

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 trim included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk PA system. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch screen and Blu-Ray player. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered advanced technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard, while a 10.2-inch system with satellite radio was available on higher trims. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard on LT trims and above. The Suburban's audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker setup to a premium Bose CenterPoint system, providing varying sound quality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, with enhancements such as low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA, with five stars in most categories. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included Chevy Safety Assist, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and pedestrian braking. Additional options included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with varying scores in individual crash tests. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile feedback for potential hazards.