2022 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical sliding side doors, comfortable third-row seating, and ample cargo space. The minivan's design, while adhering to traditional minivan aesthetics, featured stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level, with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Odyssey offered a spacious, open-concept design with quality materials and a user-friendly center stack, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced for the 2021 model year, boasted a modern exterior design with excellent proportions and a Lexus-like interior. The Venza's sleek, scalloped body side and LED-lit tailgate gave it a distinctive look. Inside, the Venza featured an elegant layout with high-quality materials, a layered dash, and a well-placed touchscreen display. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats provided ample space for three adults, making it a comfortable midsize crossover SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive only, with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the hybrid options of its competitors, the Odyssey delivered a fun driving experience with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to overheat on long descents, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with three electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas power for optimal efficiency, with regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The Venza offered multiple drive modes, including electric-only operation for short distances. It provided a smooth and agile driving experience, with a focus on comfort rather than aggressive cornering. The Venza's hybrid setup required no special attention, making it a convenient choice for drivers without access to charging infrastructure.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. The minivan excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a versatile second-row seating system. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo area provided 32.8 cubic feet of space, expandable to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats removed.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The second row offered 45.2 inches of hip room, making it comfortable for three adults. The cabin featured numerous convenience features, including an overhead console, power-adjustable front seats, and an electric parking brake. The Venza's cargo capacity was 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Toyota also focused on cabin quietness, adding sound-blocking and absorbing materials for a serene driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came packed with technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, and rear-seat entertainment with CabinWatch and CabinTalk features. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. The Odyssey's technology package needed a significant upgrade to stay competitive.

The 2022 Toyota Venza offered a comprehensive infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Limited trim. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, navigation, and a head-up display. Toyota Connected Services provided various safety and convenience features, making the Venza's technology package more advanced and user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. However, the system lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a rearview camera. It also featured eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.