2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Volvo XC90

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 the same volume as a Chevrolet Suburban when the seats were removed. Despite its practicality, the Odyssey's design was somewhat stylish, with kinked sliding doors and dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels on the Touring trim. The interior featured quality leather upholstery and a classic open-concept design, although the centre stack's switchgear placement was initially confusing. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced visibility, making the Odyssey a practical choice for those who valued function over form.

The 2022 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, represented a shift from Volvo's boxy past to a more upscale, luxury-oriented design. The XC90's sleek profile and pronounced wheel arches gave it an athletic stance, while the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights added a touch of Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" with natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambour cover, and a crystal gear selector handle. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, although Nappa leather was still available for those who preferred it. The XC90's interior was spacious and airy, with a panoramic moonroof and a climate control system that performed well even in extreme weather conditions. The XC90's design and features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxury SUV with a focus on safety and style.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produced 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 of its 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 quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes were prone to overheating on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. This issue was more pronounced when the vehicle was fully loaded, highlighting the need for more robust braking performance.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered a choice of three powertrains. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Recharge model combined a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. All XC90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Recharge model offered an electric-only range of up to 58 kilometres and a combined fuel consumption rating of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, making it a fun and engaging SUV to drive.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's interior was designed for practicality, with numerous storage spaces and the innovative Magic Slide second-row seats. These seats allowed for flexible configurations, making it easier to access the third row or create a pass-through. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey provided 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 3,984 litres, rivaling the space of a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 offered 357 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which expanded to 1,008 litres with the third row folded and 1,855 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The XC90's interior was thoughtfully designed, with ample storage spaces and a spacious cabin enhanced by a panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed admirably, even in extreme weather conditions, making the XC90 a comfortable and versatile family SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with a range of technology features, although its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. It included an 8-inch touchscreen display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink connected services, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies allowed the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the navigation system required specific voice commands. Overall, the Odyssey's technology package was underwhelming and in need of an upgrade.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with a 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. While intuitive, the system was occasionally slow to respond. The XC90 supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided customizable information. The Advanced package added a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. Keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system were standard on higher trims. The XC90's technology package was comprehensive, although the infotainment system's responsiveness could be improved.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or responding too abruptly. The Odyssey also featured a rear-seat reminder system and optional blind-spot monitoring. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's tradition of safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Pilot Assist, which combined several safety functions for highway driving. The XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, underscoring its commitment to occupant protection.