2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier trim, equipped with a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), a power panoramic sunroof, and a Confidence and Convenience II option package, had a price tag of $40,040, including the $1,195 destination charge. While this seemed steep, Chevrolet factored in expected rebates and incentives, such as a $4,500 discount at the time. The Equinox Premier boasted a clean design with 19-inch wheels, gray contrast cladding, roof rails, and extra chrome detailing, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the Jet Black and Brandy leather, panoramic sunroof, and polished metallic accents created an upscale appearance, though the presence of hard, shiny plastic detracted from the overall feel.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor updates for the new model year, including a new grille, front bumper, standard LED headlights, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, cost $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving the Odyssey a more luxurious feel.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD, averaged 24.3 mpg in real-world testing, below the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. For better performance and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, the 2.0-liter turbo engine was the preferred choice. It delivered 252 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This version averaged 22.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg combined rating. Both versions had firm, connected ride qualities, with the Premier's 19-inch wheels providing a more athletic feel on winding roads.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine, with variable cylinder management, provided smooth, effortless power and achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked AWD, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience, with firm but comfortable ride quality and well-managed body motions. The brakes, however, struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered comfortable seating with cloth upholstery in the LS trim and leather in the Premier trim. The Premier trim included an 8-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, with generous legroom in the rearmost position. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The cabin featured ample storage, including a large center console storage bin and various bins, trays, and cubbies.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey provided legible instrumentation, logical controls, and abundant storage. The Elite trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but offered good thigh support. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, with plenty of support and armrests on each side. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The second-row seats folded flatter for increased utility but required physical removal for maximum cargo volume.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays, Bluetooth pairing for two devices, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Premier trim featured a high-definition 8-inch touchscreen and Bose sound system. The Equinox also offered wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe SUV.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available starting with EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for rollover resistance.