2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique touches to the lineup.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor updates for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and all trims got standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The top three trims debuted new wheel designs, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights. These tweaks modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels, bringing the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, delivering 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent low-speed performance and fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. However, the Wrangler's on-road experience was noisy and rough, with unique blind spots and a tendency to wander on the highway. Off-road, the Wrangler excelled with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine and ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission combination provided smooth, effortless power, and the engine's variable cylinder management helped conserve fuel. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with our testing loop averaging 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, struggled under heavy use during a heatwave.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door Unlimited was the more popular choice, offering more practicality. The Wrangler's doors could be removed, and the windshield could be folded down, with a small tool kit provided for these tasks. The most popular feature was the droppable and removable roof, available in soft and hardtop versions. The Sky One-Touch roof offered a retractable cloth roof for added convenience. With the rear bench lowered flat, the Wrangler Unlimited provided about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than other SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, providing comfort and adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for various seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 32.8 cubic feet, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. The Sahara and Rubicon could be upgraded to an 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, but the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. Automatic high beams were also available.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including 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 from the EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance.