2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights flanking the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear showcased bold, large taillights. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was perfectly positioned, and the material selection was top-notch, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, though adhering to the classic minivan design, had a sense of style with kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Odyssey Elite offered quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring numerous storage spaces and the innovative Magic Slide second-row seats, which provided flexibility for families. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the already fun-to-drive Q5 and made it better with an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque from a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, propelling the crossover from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The Q5 PHEV achieved 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode. It featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes, including a battery-only mode for up to 20 miles. The handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, and the braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive minivan had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the hybrid or all-wheel-drive options of some competitors, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration, responsive handling, and remarkable composure on mountain roads. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades could lead to pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating a need for more heat-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered smart packaging, with the battery pack located under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It provided 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row had 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, comfortably accommodating two adults. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The interior featured several storage spaces, including cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center console.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey made entry easy with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row seats offered plenty of legroom and the innovative Magic Slide feature for flexibility. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, making it highly versatile for family needs.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views. The Prestige Package included navigation, and the Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies were standard on Touring and Elite trims, along with a rear-seat entertainment system. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the infotainment system’s small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the embedded navigation system was less user-friendly than smartphone-based options.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. The Odyssey earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions.