2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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, which was akin to the U.S.-exclusive Elite trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a bold and sporty design by eliminating the third row from the standard Atlas, lowering the roofline, and shortening the SUV's length. This resulted in a coupe-like appearance, especially striking in the Execline trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport's design emphasized a broad-shouldered stance, although the base Comfortline trim's 18-inch wheels appeared undersized. The interior featured a mix of appealing colour combinations, but the use of hard, glossy plastics detracted from the overall quality impression. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas Cross Sport offered a stylish alternative to the standard Atlas.

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, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. Natural Resources Canada rated its fuel consumption at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and testing showed an average of 10.8 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 276 horsepower. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive, provided a more satisfying driving experience, especially in the Execline trim. The V6's towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms was a significant advantage over the turbo-four's 907 kilograms. However, the V6's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 12.3 L/100 km during testing. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension tuning was criticized for being too firm at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds, affecting ride quality.

Inside the 2021 Honda Odyssey, drivers enjoyed legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat offered comfort, while heated front seats and mirrors were standard. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided 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 and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger Atlas, offering exceptional roominess for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Storage space was abundant, though the lack of lining in storage areas led to potential rattling. The cargo area provided ample space, with deep wells for additional storage, although the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim included an 11-speaker premium audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, lacked a touchscreen interface, disappointing younger passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base Comfortline trim featured a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Execline trim added a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system and automatic high beams. While the technology offerings were comprehensive, the user experience was marred by frustrating interactions with the touchscreen and voice recognition. Pairing a smartphone for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a smoother experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and was expected to maintain its IIHS Top Safety Pick status. 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive LED headlights and a semi-autonomous Park Assist system. Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, was generally accurate but occasionally too obvious in its steering inputs. The Lane Assist system sometimes misinterpreted road markings, leading to unnecessary corrections. Despite these issues, the Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings.