2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 required an additional $300 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 minivan option.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport adopted a rugged design reminiscent of the Honda Ridgeline, sharing a platform with the Odyssey and Pilot. The Passport's new styling aimed to convey a tougher attitude, particularly in the TrailSport trim, which was designed for off-road enthusiasts. The TrailSport featured unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, enhancing its SUV appeal. The Passport offered three trims: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, with prices ranging from $45,570 to $52,170. The TrailSport test vehicle, painted in Sonic Gray Pearl, highlighted the Passport's off-road capabilities, although it was more about aesthetics than actual performance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test average of 10.8 L/100 km. 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 brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for further enhancement.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Passport's fuel consumption was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres, with a test average of 11.0 L/100 km. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing traction on various terrains. While the Passport excelled on paved roads with its firm ride and agile handling, its off-road capabilities were limited. The brakes, although effective, lacked confidence during mountain descents, especially given the Passport's towing capacity.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior, with logical controls and ample storage. The driver's seat was highly adjustable and comfortable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in their foldability.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured easy access and comfortable seating, with leather upholstery and heated front seats standard. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and storage options, including a large centre console and door panel shelves. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and 2,854 litres with them folded. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a convenient choice for daily use and road trips.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connectivity features. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim included a premium audio system and Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, was not touchscreen, which disappointed younger passengers.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring offered navigation and a premium audio system. The lack of a tuning knob was mitigated by steering wheel controls. The Passport's navigation system was clunky, prompting the use of Apple CarPlay for ease. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim, but overall, the Passport's technology was basic and in need of an update.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems, now standard across all trims. It 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, with the exception of a four-star rollover resistance rating. The ADAS functions were effective but could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Honda Passport also came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist were intrusive, leading to their deactivation during testing. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.