2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity, however, was likely to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design could have been better. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather and numerous King Ranch logos, though the presence of hard plastic in lower trims was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that had been slightly updated for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and all trims came with standard LED headlights. The top three trims also featured new wheel designs. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, included perforated leather upholstery, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey's interior was more luxurious than before, with improved seating materials and tri-color floor mats. However, the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo and the occasional misstep with the transmission gear buttons were minor drawbacks.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional four-wheel-drive system. The Expedition had a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim provided a smooth ride, though the oversized 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior space, but the fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The engine's variable cylinder management helped conserve fuel, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test loop averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, the new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. The brakes, however, struggled under heavy use during a heatwave.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the long-wheelbase Expedition MAX provided 34.3 cubic feet. With the third row folded, the Expedition offered 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 with the MAX), and with the second row folded, it provided 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 with the MAX).

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The Elite trim included a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, and the third-row seats were comfortable for both children and adults. Cargo space behind the third row measured 32.8 cubic feet, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled into the cargo well, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice-recognition technology. Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The trailer technology was particularly useful for frequent towing.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connectivity. Touring trim added a navigation system, WiFi capability, CabinWatch interior camera, and CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim featured an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional features like automatic collision notification, remote engine operation, and personal assistant access. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen was a minor drawback.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every NHTSA crash test except for a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing ADAS, 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 earned top five-star ratings from NHTSA in every assessment except for rollover resistance, which received a four-star score. The IIHS ratings were expected to carry over from the previous year, with improvements for the headlights.