2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 buddies with ease. Its cargo space was unmatched, providing ample room for gear and groceries, and when the seats were folded, 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 dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels on the Touring trim. The interior was open and functional, with leather upholstery and a user-friendly centre stack, though it retained the unmistakable minivan feel with its expansive windshield and fishbowl-like visibility.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language, moving away from the boxy aesthetics of the past. The XC90 exuded a purposeful yet understated elegance, with a solid front end and the distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights adding a modern touch. The Ultimate trim featured 21-inch wheels and a rich Platinum Grey paint, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the XC90 was a testament to Scandinavian elegance, with a minimalist design and luxurious materials like Nappa leather and wood deco inlays. The cabin was adorned with high-end features such as a crystal shift knob and metal speaker covers, creating a refined atmosphere. However, the minimalist approach led to some practical challenges, such as limited storage space for small items and a lack of dedicated phone storage. Despite these quirks, the XC90's interior was a harmonious blend of style and functionality.

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 the all-wheel-drive and hybrid options available in competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica, 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 was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration, but its brakes were prone to overheating on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. This powertrain produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than its predecessor but with improved fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, enhancing the vehicle's auto stop-start technology. The XC90 offered a smooth and composed driving experience, with quick acceleration and a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. Its brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel, and the vehicle's insulation kept road and wind noise to a minimum. While it lacked extensive off-road features, the XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics appealed to those seeking a straightforward experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The tri-zone climate control system and onboard vacuum cleaner added convenience. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a Magic Slide second-row seat system for flexible seating arrangements. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it offered 929 litres, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third-row folded. Removing the second-row seats created a massive 3,984 litres of cargo space.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had limited storage options. The second row was comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. While it drove like a smaller car, its cargo capacity fell short compared to competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It included CabinWatch and CabinTalk features for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system had a 10.2-inch screen but was considered outdated. The Odyssey's infotainment system was functional but lacked modern features and a larger screen.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant. The system offered natural-language recognition and could be controlled via Google Home devices. However, many functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. However, some safety features lacked refinement, and the blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology provided additional support for maintaining distance and lane position.