2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a blunt front end, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey maintained the classic minivan design ethos but added a touch of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Touring trim, with its dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, added a hint of sophistication. Inside, the Odyssey offered a spacious and practical layout, with quality leather upholstery and a low console between the front seats. The centre stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was intuitive to use, and the expansive windshield provided excellent visibility. The Odyssey's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, featuring tri-colour floor mats and an onboard vacuum cleaner for easy clean-up.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The Odyssey excelled in driving dynamics, offering a responsive and enjoyable experience, though its brakes showed signs of strain during extended downhill driving. The Odyssey's adaptive cruise control and Honda Sensing technologies provided a smooth driving experience, but the brakes required improvement for better performance on mountain grades.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90's cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with all seats down. The interior featured a power sunroof, four-zone climate control, and high-end front seats with massage functions, though storage options were limited.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Touring featured quality leather, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility for child seat placement and access to the third row, which offered comfortable seating for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third row, 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and 3,984 litres with the second row removed.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal analog controls. However, the text was difficult to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, a rear entertainment system, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. Despite these features, the Odyssey's infotainment system was outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too abruptly to driving situations.