2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

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 appeal 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 look. The Odyssey's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, added to its refined interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid showcased a bold and dramatic new design, with sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides. The vehicle was longer and wider, making it unmistakably different from its predecessor. The Tucson's exterior styling was a departure from the previous model's more conservative design, opting for a riskier aesthetic with hard creases along its profile. The grille, shared with the Santa Cruz, seamlessly integrated with the LED headlights, running lights, and turn signals, creating a futuristic look. The Tucson's interior was open and airy, with a bulkier centre console but an unobstructed view at eye level. The Ultimate trim featured ambient lighting, adding flair to the cabin.

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. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The 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 the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The new electronic brake booster enhanced the adaptive cruise control's low-speed following capability, while the brake pedal feel and response were improved. Despite these upgrades, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor, producing a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid's all-wheel drive was standard on most trims, providing a noticeable performance boost over the gas-powered model. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power delivery effectively, and the responsive steering contributed to a dynamic driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid's suspension absorbed road imperfections well, maintaining balance through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km, a significant improvement over the gas-only version. The plug-in hybrid variant offered even greater efficiency with a 13.8 kWh battery and 53 km of electric range.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-organized interior with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard on all but the base trim, provided comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. Heated front seats and outboard mirrors were standard, while the Touring trim added ventilated front seats. 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 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, despite its larger footprint, offered ample cargo space with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded. The dual-level cargo floor provided flexibility, and the vehicle boasted excellent front and rear legroom. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including angled bottle holders in the doors and multiple cupholders. The Ultimate trim's ambient lighting added a touch of elegance to the cabin.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. 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, available on higher trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and wireless headphones, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid's 10.25-inch touchscreen looked impressive with native software but required a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touch-capacitive buttons for infotainment and HVAC controls were less user-friendly than physical buttons. However, the Tucson offered ample USB ports, a premium Bose audio system, and steering-wheel controls for infotainment commands.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's safety features were enhanced with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for most crash tests.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert. The Preferred trim added blind-spot collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control, while the Ultimate trim featured a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson had not yet been tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+.