2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Lexus GX

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 tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a spacious and comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool buddies 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 minivan stigma, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and sleek character lines, especially in the Touring trim with its dark gray 19-inch wheels.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX exuded a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and elevated ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition added exclusivity with limited units and unique paint options. While its exterior dimensions seemed compact, the GX was engineered for off-road prowess, with flared fenders and a sleek design that set it apart from blockier SUVs. Inside, the GX fell short of luxury expectations with an abundance of plastic materials, but it still offered heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. Despite its dated design, the GX retained a certain charm with its V8 engine and off-road capabilities, appealing to those who valued performance 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 dynamics were enjoyable, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2023 Lexus GX, on the other hand, boasted a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to newer engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. It had a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms but lagged behind in fuel efficiency, with estimates of 16.2 L/100 km in the city and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight affected its cornering, but its predictable roll and strong brakes made it manageable. The Torsen limited-slip differential and 4WD system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for versatile configurations, and the third-row seat offered comfort for adults. With 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed, the Odyssey was a cargo champion.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, a deep centre console bin, and convenient cupholders. It retained physical controls, which some drivers preferred over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was tight and best suited for emergencies. The GX's side-hinged trunk door required effort to open, and its cargo space was limited, with 328 litres behind the third row and 1,832 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, lacking a larger screen and intuitive navigation.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone compatibility. It included Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Despite improvements, the GX's tech felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging graphics and a CD player. Its off-road capabilities were more impressive, with a 4WD system, KDSS suspension, and various driving aids.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. It received a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses.

The 2023 Lexus GX, while not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, featured Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Despite its older design, the GX incorporated modern safety features, enhancing its overall safety profile.