2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to the grille and front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. 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 modernized its look. The interior was enhanced with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale feel. The Odyssey's design tweaks aimed to reduce brightwork, making it more appealing to those seeking a refined minivan experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX underwent a significant redesign, offering a more spacious interior and a minimalist dashboard. The NX's exterior featured the brand's signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The F Sport trim stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-colour fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, the NX provided a cozy atmosphere with padded surfaces and sport-bolstered seats in the F Sport version. The NX's design focused on simplicity and refinement, appealing to those who appreciate a modern and sleek aesthetic.

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. It offered smooth and effortless power, 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 our tests averaging 10.8 L/100 km. While AWD was unavailable, the Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, though the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, with the NX 350 featuring a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The NX 350h hybrid delivered 239 horsepower, while the NX 450h+ PHEV offered 302 horsepower and an estimated 61 km of electric range. The NX 350's AWD and eight-speed automatic transmission provided a dynamic driving experience, with driving modes including Sport S, Sport+, and Custom in the F Sport trim. The NX's handling was impressive, though the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of some German rivals.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while 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 the seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14% to 643 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 1,328 litres with the seats folded. The NX's interior design focused on comfort and practicality, with thoughtful touches like padded surfaces and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. The Touring trim added a navigation system, CabinWatch interior camera, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. 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 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The NX's technology impressed with its advanced features, though the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked multi-panel display capability.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a 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, though the adaptive cruise control's braking could be smoother.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. New technologies included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had a standard blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The Emergency Driving Stop System provided an added layer of safety, bringing the NX to a stop if the driver became unresponsive.