2023 Mazda CX-5 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 the spacious third-row seat provided comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering the flexibility to fold or remove seats to accommodate large loads. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to incorporate a sense of style, with its kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels on the Touring trim. The interior was designed with family needs in mind, featuring quality leather upholstery and a user-friendly layout, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 was a compact crossover SUV that exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication. Despite its age, the CX-5 remained a stylish choice, with high-quality materials and a refined feel. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the vehicle boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The CX-5's design updates, including improved structural rigidity and suspension dampening, enhanced its driving dynamics, making it a pleasure to drive. However, the CX-5's small back seat, cramped cargo area, and frustrating infotainment system were potential drawbacks for some buyers. Mazda's decision to transition to the CX-50 nameplate reflected broader marketing strategies, but the CX-5 continued to appeal to those seeking a compact SUV with a touch of luxury.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with 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, the Odyssey averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The minivan's driving character was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The CX-5's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, but during testing, it returned 11.0 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by structural and suspension updates, offering a firm and connected ride quality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior, with wide-opening doors and a low ride height for easy access. The Touring trim featured quality leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults. With 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed, the Odyssey excelled in cargo capacity.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, while stylish and luxurious, had limitations in interior space. The front seats were improved for comfort, and higher trims offered power adjustments, heated and ventilated seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's rear-seat head and legroom were cramped, and its cargo space was limited to 871 litres behind the rear seat and 1,680 litres with the back seat folded down. The CX-5's in-cabin storage areas were also relatively small compared to competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment features were considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command capabilities.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics, but its Mazda Connect infotainment system was a source of frustration. The system's physical controls were awkward to use, and the lack of a helpful voice recognition system added to the complexity. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-5 offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services, and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system on upper trims.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, the safety features lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered i-Activsense technology, with most features standard except for a few exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo Signature trim. These included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's safety tech operated smoothly and accurately, with a head-up display showing alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS. However, a warning message for driving without headlights at night was needed.