2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its grille, front bumper, and taillights, which featured a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert. Standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation were a welcome addition across all trim levels. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern appeal. Inside, the Odyssey offered a more luxurious feel with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, particularly in the Touring trim. These updates aimed to elevate the Odyssey's status as a premium minivan, akin to an Acura in its segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander embraced a bold design with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept, creating a striking front-end appearance. The Outlander was available in several trims, with 18-inch alloy wheels on the lower trims and 20-inch wheels on the higher ones. The GT Premium trim, in particular, boasted premium semi-aniline leather, a head-up display, and a premium sound system, contributing to an upscale interior ambiance. Despite some interior plastics reminding occupants of its compact crossover status, the Outlander managed to avoid overtly cheap materials, maintaining a clean and minimalist design.

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 delivered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes such as Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow, along with paddle shifters for manual control. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) 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 brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite offering multiple driving modes, the Outlander's performance felt lacking, especially during highway acceleration and passing manoeuvres. The steering was vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, transmitting road imperfections into the cabin. The Outlander returned 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly above its official rating of 8.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for 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 seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo capacity was cumbersome.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offered roomy and comfortable front seats with a 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seat provided ample head and legroom, with a sliding mechanism for added flexibility. However, the third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was limited to 331 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 2,256 litres with seats folded. The centre console lacked storage space, despite the shift-by-wire transmission design.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. 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 streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on higher trims. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its effectiveness.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, 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 and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a driver-assist system similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, providing smooth and accurate performance. It included forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though early models had poor headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four-star ratings for frontal crash and rollover performance.