2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and fun. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV appearance. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in pricier models clashing with low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the expensive versions were upgrades of a commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey had a styling theme dating back a decade but received tweaks for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and every trim level came with standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights, and new wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels. These minor modifications modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork, giving it a more contemporary look.

For the 2020 model year, the Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which provided a well-matched powertrain. Despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggish response, Honda’s engineers managed to make the CR-V feel quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, with excellent handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its nimble handling and impressive fuel economy, with FWD models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models at 29 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivered 280 horsepower. This combination provided smooth, effortless power, and the engine’s variable cylinder management helped conserve fuel, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the Odyssey lacked an AWD option, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. Honda added a new electronic brake booster for 2021, improving brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey’s ride and handling qualities were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, showing signs of fade during rigorous testing.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both the driver and passengers. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, influenced by Honda’s Odyssey minivan, providing ample storage space. The rear cargo area offered a two-position load floor, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Even the door pockets were spacious, making the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and plenty of storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable, and the Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating arrangements, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age in terms of infotainment. The base LX trim had a 5-inch screen with limited features, while higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and more. The Touring trim added a navigation system, WiFi capability, and a CabinWatch interior camera. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system in Touring and Elite trims included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey also featured the Honda Sensing system as standard, with expanded capabilities for 2021. New features included low-speed follow for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and was expected to maintain its IIHS ratings, aside from improvements in headlight performance.