2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its decade-old styling theme. 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 an upscale touch with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, particularly in the Touring trim, which aimed to elevate the Odyssey's status as a premium minivan.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its distinctive, boxy profile reminiscent of the original version, with no major exterior changes. The tailgate-mounted spare wheel and flat hood paid homage to its classic predecessors, while modern touches like rounded corners and recessed LED headlights added a contemporary flair. The Defender's larger size compared to the original model improved interior space and ergonomics, offering a more comfortable driving position and generous headroom and legroom. The interior design embraced a rugged aesthetic, with exposed metal and screws, complemented by leather and suede upholstery, ensuring durability without sacrificing style.

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, and paddle shifters for manual control. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 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. Despite improvements in brake pedal feel, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 hp, and a new 518 hp V8 engine. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. The Defender's suspension absorbed bumps well, and its boxy shape was less affected by crosswinds than competitors like the Jeep Wrangler. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with a 4WD system, good approach and departure angles, and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and functional interior, with legible instrumentation and logical controls. 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 foldability.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 offering limited cargo space due to its two-door design. The four-door Defender 110 provided more flexibility, with up to 1,875 litres of cargo space in two-row configurations. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender's design allowed for cargo storage on the exterior, with optional roof racks and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker 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 streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender's Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard. New for 2021 were pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and improved adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which is common for luxury vehicles.