2023 Land Rover Defender 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 were a boon for parents, making it easier to load children into car seats without the hassle of narrow SUV doors. The Odyssey offered a spacious and comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups with ease. Its cargo space was unmatched, providing ample room for gear and groceries, and when the seats were folded down, it rivaled the capacity of a Chevrolet Suburban. Despite the practicality, the Odyssey's design maintained a sense of style, with kinked sliding doors and character lines adding a touch of flair. The Touring trim, in particular, featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender was a vehicle that captured the essence of ruggedness and adventure. Its boxy design paid homage to the classic Land Rover look, with square-jawed features and steep angles. The Defender's exterior was adorned with tasteful accents reminiscent of the original 1980s model, such as dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood. It offered a range of body styles, including the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, providing versatility for different needs. Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability, with a mix of rubbers and plastics designed to withstand the elements. Despite its utilitarian interior, the Defender exuded a unique charm, maintaining its hardcore character while offering excellent build quality.

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, offering a smooth driving experience. However, unlike some of its competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. Its fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, which was higher than the hybrid Toyota Sienna and plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica. 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, especially when fully loaded.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, was a beast off-road, with its permanent four-wheel drive and Terrain Response 2 system adapting to various surfaces. It offered a range of engines, including a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 engine produced 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, offering a balance of power and efficiency. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less refined, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. Its fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning poor ratings, while the mild-hybrid inline-six offered better efficiency.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality. Its low ride height and wide-opening doors made entry and exit easy, while the interior featured quality leather, supportive seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey offered impressive storage options, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility, allowing for easy access to the third row or better protection for children in side-impact collisions. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was generous, with 929 litres available. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats created a massive 3,984 litres of space.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered unmatched seating configurations, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers. The Defender 90 featured a jump seat, allowing three across in the front, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows. The interior was designed for visibility, with large glass areas and alpine lights. The Defender 130 provided 2,180 litres of cargo space with the third row and second row folded, while the 90 and 110 models offered varying capacities. The Defender also boasted a range of available features, including off-road tires, a metal roof rack, a console refrigerator, and a pressurized water rinse system, catering to adventurous lifestyles.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was starting to show its age. It included an 8-inch touchscreen display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink connected services, and a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. However, the system lacked modern features and required specific voice commands for navigation. The Odyssey's technology package was functional but in need of an upgrade.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered better legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with wireless smartphone connectivity and a voice assistant. The Defender also included heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like a Meridian sound system, air suspension, and a head-up display, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including the Honda Sensing suite, which offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Defender also offered advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and a head-up display, enhancing safety and convenience.