2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was a compact SUV that captured attention with its iconic Jeep design elements, including round headlights, a 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trim levels, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with special editions like the Jeepster and High Altitude. The High Altitude trim, which was tested, featured premium touches such as dark gray 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, and a black leather interior. Despite these upscale features, the Renegade's interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed look with updates to the grille, bumper, and taillights. It offered five trim levels, with the Elite trim providing a luxurious experience with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a heated steering wheel. The Odyssey's design changes aimed to modernize its appearance while maintaining its practicality. The Elite trim's 19-inch wheels and toned-down chrome added to its upscale appeal, making it a strong contender in the minivan segment.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The test vehicle featured the turbocharged engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and an Active Drive AWD system. While the turbo engine provided energetic performance, it suffered from turbo lag and a transmission focused on fuel economy, leading to uneven power delivery. The Renegade's driving dynamics were less refined, with a flinty ride and noisy cabin, but it excelled in off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, achieving an average of 21.8 mpg in testing. While AWD was unavailable, the Odyssey's FWD setup was complemented by a new electronic brake booster, enhancing brake feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were well-balanced, offering a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

Inside the 2020 Jeep Renegade, the boxy design translated to a spacious feel, with a distant windshield and vertical side glass. The panoramic glass roof added to the sense of openness. The driver's seat offered good adjustability, but rear-seat space was cramped, and storage options were limited. Cargo capacity was modest, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality, with logical controls and ample storage. The Elite trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seats offered versatile configurations, while the third-row seats provided comfort for both children and adults. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu buttons and physical knobs. The Renegade also offered a comprehensive driver information center and parking assist system, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk features. The Elite trim boasted an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, while feature-rich, lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, some features lacked refinement, and the Renegade received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS ratings were commendable but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation for 2020.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety offerings with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though not always smoothly. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star score in rollover resistance. The IIHS ratings were expected to remain impressive, with the potential for a Top Safety Pick recommendation.