2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery, with a refined, upscale, and utilitarian design. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge gave it a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown, with low-grade materials and a lack of luxury, especially given its high price point. The leather felt like vinyl, and the abundance of hard plastic made it feel cheap compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with its familiar styling theme, received minor tweaks for the new model year, including a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and new wheel designs for the top trims. These updates modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Elite trim, with its perforated leather upholstery, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels, brought a more luxurious feel to the minivan. The interior improvements, such as new tri-color floor mats and better seating materials, enhanced the overall look and feel, making the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing a more balanced weight distribution. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth, addictive power and impressive handling, with precise steering and flat cornering. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's seven drive modes catered to various driving conditions, enhancing its versatility.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine and ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain provided smooth, effortless power, and the variable cylinder management technology helped conserve fuel, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave, indicating a need for an upgrade. The lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions, but the new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the third row. The second row felt like first class, with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it user-friendly, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in storage and seating flexibility. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for various configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with all seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior featured logical controls, though the lack of a tuning knob and occasional transmission gear button confusion were minor issues.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was high-resolution and well-organized, it lacked innovation and customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system provided semi-automated driving features but was not as smooth as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and more. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi, CabinWatch, CabinTalk, and a rear-seat entertainment system. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional security, remote, and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system's non-touchscreen design also disappointed some users.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including low-speed follow adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The IIHS ratings were expected to carry over from the previous year, with top scores in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the Odyssey five-star ratings in all but rollover resistance, where it earned four stars.