2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing familial styling elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and upscale design.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a recommended choice for families due to its practicality and comfort. Its sliding side doors made loading children into rear-facing seats effortless, and it offered a comfortable third-row seat for additional passengers. The Odyssey provided ample cargo space, with the ability to fold the third-row seat and remove the second-row seats for maximum capacity. Despite its classic minivan design, the Odyssey maintained a sense of style with kinked sliding doors and character lines. The Touring trim featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a well-appointed interior with leather upholstery and a low console for an open-concept feel. The centre stack, though cluttered, was user-friendly, and the expansive windshield offered excellent visibility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive and a combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and the option for one-pedal driving. The Recharge model also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan, lacking all-wheel drive or electrified powertrains. The Odyssey had a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Despite not being as fuel-efficient as hybrid competitors, the Odyssey offered an enjoyable driving experience. It was quick when merging onto highways, responsive in corners, and composed on mountain roads. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. The Odyssey's driving character was engaging, but its brakes needed improvement for mountain driving.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. Despite this, Volvo incorporated clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured for various needs, including the Magic Slide feature for easier access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo area to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 3,984 litres of space.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The XC40 lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected in a future update, but not confirmed for the XC40.

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 Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. The embedded navigation system required specific commands and was less intuitive than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It also had 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 five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.