2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its styling. The new grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights across all trims, gave it a modern touch. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights and a new 19-inch wheel design for the Touring trim further enhanced its look. These changes aimed to reduce brightwork and elevate the Odyssey's aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Odyssey offered a more luxurious feel with new perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, particularly in the Touring trim. The interior improvements, including tri-colour floor mats, contributed to a more upscale experience, making the Odyssey Touring a strong contender in the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform and design cues with the Nissan Armada, yet maintained a distinct identity with its unique front-end styling. The prominent Infiniti grille and tastefully integrated LED lighting added to its upscale appearance. The QX80's 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, standard on the ProActive grade, further enhanced its exterior elegance. Inside, the QX80 boasted upscale materials, including quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats and tasteful wood trim. However, despite these luxurious touches, the QX80's interior design felt somewhat dated compared to its competitors. While the cabin was comfortable and attractive, it struggled to meet the high expectations set by the premium full-size SUV market.

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 such as Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 10.8 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the estimated 10.6 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-litre V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered impressive performance and a satisfying exhaust note. The seven-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and seamless shifts, enhancing the driving experience. The QX80's four-wheel drive system, based on the Nissan Patrol, offered excellent off-road capability, with a computer-controlled transfer case and ample ground clearance. The QX80's towing capacity was a generous 3,855 kilograms, making it suitable for hauling large trailers or boats. Despite its size, the QX80 managed body lean well, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, although it reminded drivers of its nearly three-ton curb weight during spirited driving.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with logical controls and ample storage space. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided comfort, while heated front seats and mirrors were standard in Canada. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,984 litres with all seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter, owing to its tall ride height. Inside, the cabin felt spacious and airy, with good head- and legroom in the front seats. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 470 litres behind the third row and 2,694 litres with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were convenient but slow to operate. The QX80's interior featured premium touches like illuminated kick plates and radiant exterior welcome lighting.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured 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 wireless headphones, but the absence of a touchscreen disappointed younger passengers.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A Bose 17-speaker premium sound system was standard, along with a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was included, but missing HDMI adapters frustrated passengers. The absence of Infiniti's ProPilot Assist was notable, as the QX80's older architecture couldn't support advanced driver aids.

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, with the exception of a four-star rollover resistance rating. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking could be uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective than a vibration.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like driver attention alert and front knee airbags were also standard. The QX80 received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model earning four stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the QX80 at the time of writing.