2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to its grille and front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert at the rear 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 luxurious feel. The Odyssey's design tweaks aimed to reduce brightwork, making it a more sophisticated minivan option.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza re-emerged with a sleek, modern design on the TGNA-K platform, shared with several other Toyota and Lexus models. Its exterior featured a deeply scalloped body side and a distinctive tailgate with LED lighting, giving it a Lexus-like appearance. The Venza's interior was equally elegant, with high-quality materials and a well-placed touchscreen display. The cabin offered ample space and comfort, particularly with the available Star Gaze panoramic sunroof, making it a stylish and comfortable choice for families.

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 like 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, though it lacked an all-wheel-drive option, which was a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, its brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine combined with three electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. Its hybrid system balanced electric and gas power for optimal efficiency, with AWD provided by the rear electric motors. The Venza offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, and utilized regenerative braking to recharge its battery. It delivered sprightly performance and agile handling, though its taller body discouraged aggressive cornering. The Venza was designed as a midsize family vehicle, providing a comfortable and efficient ride.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and functional interior, with logical controls and ample storage. It featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in higher trims. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats provided comfort for both children and adults. Cargo space was generous, with up to 3,984 litres available, though removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with comfortable bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the Star Gaze sunroof, and offered numerous convenience features like an electric parking brake and sliding sun visors. The Venza's cargo capacity was 816 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,560 litres with the seats folded. Toyota focused on creating a quiet cabin, using sound-blocking materials throughout, resulting in a serene driving experience.

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 wasn't a touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid system required no special attention, offering a seamless driving experience without the need for charging infrastructure. Its infotainment system included an eight-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and higher trims added a 12.3-inch display, JBL audio, and a head-up display. The Venza's Predicted Efficient Drive program optimized battery charging based on driving habits, enhancing fuel efficiency. Toyota Connected Services provided additional features like Safety Connect and Remote Connect.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured the Honda Sensing 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 its adaptive cruise control could be smoother, and the lane-departure warning system was less refined.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, offering stability control, traction control, and a rearview camera. It also included eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, featuring forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, making it a safe choice for families.