2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

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 its spacious third-row seating provided comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering ample room for gear and groceries, and its stylish design, though not as striking as the Kia Carnival, added a touch of flair to the minivan segment. The Touring trim, with its dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and well-organized interior, provided a comfortable and functional driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, adventure-ready persona, staying true to its roots with a design reminiscent of its 1980s predecessors. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and off-road capabilities made it a niche choice for those seeking adventure beyond paved roads. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin reflected its age, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. Despite this, it offered practical features like a power-sliding rear window and a range of trim levels, including the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the more road-oriented Limited trim. The 4Runner's design and features catered to those who valued function over modern aesthetics.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by 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 Natural Resources Canada 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, though its brakes showed signs of strain on downhill grades.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, came with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, powered the standard four-wheel-drive system. While the 4Runner's ride was rough on paved roads, it excelled off-road, with features like Crawl Control and a locking differential enhancing its trail capabilities. The 4Runner's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kilograms, making it suitable for light towing tasks.

The Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior, with easy access through wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Touring trim featured quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. Its Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for families, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey boasted 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 2,540 litres of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model offered slightly less space, with 2,514 litres maximum and 254 litres behind the rear seats. While the 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate, its power rear window was a convenient feature. The cabin, though not as spacious as modern SUVs, offered practical storage solutions.

The Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It included CabinWatch and CabinTalk features, a rear entertainment system, and a premium audio system. However, the infotainment system felt outdated compared to rivals, lacking a larger screen and more advanced features.

The Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. While it lacked advanced features like a head-up display, its straightforward layout and tactile controls were appreciated by those who preferred simplicity. The 4Runner's infotainment system covered the basics, with optional navigation and a JBL premium audio system.

The Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. However, some safety features lacked refinement, and the blind-spot monitoring system's placement was less than ideal.

The Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. It received four stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA, with three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner's safety features were bolstered by its automatic transmission, enhancing driver assistance capabilities.