2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

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 the same volume as a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded and the second-row seats were removed. Despite the minivan's practicality, its image was less appealing to some consumers compared to crossover SUVs. However, the Odyssey's design, with its kinked sliding doors and stylish Touring trim, added a touch of flair to the classic minivan silhouette.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup truck, giving it a rugged appearance. Its design featured a trapezoidal grille and an upright fascia, while a character line added softness to its profile. The interior was unconventional, with an asymmetrical dash and metallic styling elements. The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition introduced unique features like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, though the latter was prone to dirt and stains. While the Highlander's design was subjective, its materials quality lagged behind competitors, yet it remained one of the few hybrid options in its class.

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 and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. 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 in combined driving. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle. The Highlander Hybrid's acceleration was slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs, reaching 100 kilometres per hour in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, but the engine's hum became a drone under heavy acceleration. The Highlander Hybrid offered a smooth ride, with a soft suspension that handled bumps well, though it wasn't particularly sporty.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats with power adjustments, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's storage space was impressive, with numerous compartments for personal items. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for easy configuration. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area offered 929 litres of space behind it, expanding to 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid provided well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. It offered plenty of storage options, including trays and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining capabilities, and a bench option increased passenger capacity. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. The Highlander Hybrid's cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, along with a rear entertainment system. However, the infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command capabilities. The Odyssey's technology package needed a significant upgrade.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with navigation and a premium audio system available on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid's technology features met expectations but didn't exceed them.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It 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 five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Highlander Hybrid's safety systems generally worked well but could benefit from fine-tuning, with some abrupt stops and false alarms.