2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces, and the spacious third-row seat provided comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering ample room for gear and groceries, and its design included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, the Odyssey featured a classic open-concept design with leather upholstery and a user-friendly centre stack, making it a comfortable and functional choice for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX maintained a more traditional SUV appearance, with a design that harkened back to its earlier models. Despite its dated exterior, the GX's cabin exuded quality, with smooth and refined materials that Lexus was known for. The interior was quiet, and the seats were comfortable, though some of the switchgear felt old-school. The GX's tall and narrow dimensions made it easy to maneuver in various settings, but the steering required extra effort. While the GX offered a luxurious feel, its design and features were more suited to those who appreciated a classic SUV experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey's driving experience was enjoyable, with responsive handling and quick acceleration, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration.

The 2022 Lexus GX, on the other hand, came with a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. It featured a full-time 4WD system with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's fuel consumption estimate was 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it achieved 14.0 L/100 km during testing. The GX's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System improved stability and off-road capability, but its steering was slow and heavy, and the brake pedal was touchy. Despite its age, the GX remained capable off-road and offered a refined driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Odyssey offered ample storage space, including a centre console tray and numerous compartments. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey boasted 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 3,984 litres with the seats removed.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position and clear visibility. Its interior featured comfortable seats and physical controls, though some switchgear was outdated. The GX's rear seat access was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. The GX's cargo area was limited, with 328 litres behind the third row and 1,833 litres with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate added to the loading difficulty.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring trim was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It included CabinWatch and CabinTalk features, as well as a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, lacking a larger screen and a tuning knob. The Odyssey's navigation system required specific voice commands and was less intuitive than smartphone-based options.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with excellent voice recognition and a dual-screen view. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below off-roading controls. The GX also included Lexus Enform connected services and a WiFi hotspot, providing a mix of modern and nostalgic features.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings and responding abruptly to driving situations.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors. Despite this, the absence of intrusive safety features contributed to a favourable driving experience.