2021 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive: EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered a luxurious feel with features like premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. The Telluride's styling was praised for its impeccable design, both inside and out, with only minor criticisms regarding some glossy hard plastic in the interior. The transmission shifter was strategically placed to maximize storage space and provided a solid, smooth operation. However, the interior colour options were limited to black unless one opted for the SX Limited trim.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was recommended for families due to its practicality, with sliding side doors that made loading children into rear-facing seats easier. The minivan offered a comfortable third-row seat, ample room for passengers, and a deep well behind the third-row seat for gear. The Odyssey's design adhered to the classic minivan style, with kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Touring trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Prices ranged from $48,305 to $54,805, excluding a destination charge of $1,870, with the Touring trim priced at $56,806. The interior boasted quality leather upholstery and a classic open-concept design with a low console and ample storage space. The Odyssey's expansive windshield and small front quarter windows provided a panoramic view, enhancing the minivan experience.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered various driving modes, including Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, through Kia's Drive Mode Select technology. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. The Telluride demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities, handling challenging conditions with ease. Its suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. The SX Limited and Nightsky Edition trims included a self-leveling rear suspension for optimal ride and handling. The Telluride's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer AWD or an electrified powertrain. Its fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Odyssey was praised for its enjoyable driving experience, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained composed and enjoyable to drive, with a tested average fuel consumption of 10.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and ventilation, and the interior featured distinctive leather upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with side-window sunshades and an overhead climate control panel. The third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, or through a pass-through between the captain's chairs. The Telluride provided ample storage, including a smartphone bin and door panel trays. The smart hands-free power liftgate revealed 601 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,304 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 2,455 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a low seating position. The Touring trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured for various needs. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements and easy access to the third-row seat, which was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 2,452 litres with the third-row seat folded, and 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation and Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, although the sound quality was not exceptional. The Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Odyssey's technology package was deemed underwhelming, with a need for significant upgrades in future redesigns.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a comprehensive suite of safety systems, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim offered front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.