2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was a standout in terms of styling, with a design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. Its bold appearance was marked by a massive grille and sleek, thin headlights, complemented by a unique headlight assembly that included what appeared to be larger fog lights. The Palisade's use of chrome and character lines, such as the large chrome strip running from the A-pillar over the side windows, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded an upscale feel with a digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and ambient lighting in the top-tier Limited trim. The Palisade offered three trims: SE, SEL, and Limited, each with varying levels of luxury and features, making the mid-range SEL a recommended choice for its balance of features and cost.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, while maintaining a familiar look, received subtle updates to modernize its appearance. These included a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. The Odyssey was available in five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. The Elite trim, which was tested, featured perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and new 19-inch wheels, giving it a more luxurious feel. The Odyssey's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, ample storage, and Honda's Magic Slide second-row seat layout, which offered versatile seating configurations.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Palisade offered various driving modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, which adjusted the vehicle's performance based on driving conditions. The Palisade's handling was commendable, especially in Sport mode, and the Limited trim's self-leveling rear suspension enhanced driving dynamics. Fuel economy for the Palisade was rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for FWD, with slightly lower figures for AWD.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Odyssey's drivetrain was smooth and efficient, with driving modes such as Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. However, the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage compared to competitors offering this feature. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The Odyssey's brakes, while generally effective, showed signs of fade under heavy use. Fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with an observed average of 21.8 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience. The Palisade's interior was well-equipped with storage options and USB ports, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered excellent storage and seating flexibility, with Honda's Magic Slide second-row seat layout providing various configurations. The Odyssey's cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, detracting from the overall convenience. The Odyssey's interior was comfortable, with supportive seats and ample storage, although the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was a minor inconvenience.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Driver Talk intercom system. The Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system and advanced tech like a surround-view monitor and head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. The Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, and a CabinWatch interior camera. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The Odyssey's technology suite was extensive, but the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, thanks to its comprehensive safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a unique blind-spot camera system. The digital instrument panel provided clear information, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing across all trims, adding pedestrian braking and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems were effective, though not always smooth. The Odyssey maintained its top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, aside from a four-star rollover resistance score.