2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant recovery for the Buick brand, which had struggled during the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, shiny, and impressive SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of the four SUVs Buick offered, with the others being smaller models like the Encore and Envision. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was recommended for families due to its practical design and features. The minivan's sliding side doors made it easy to load children into rear-facing seats, and its third-row seat was comfortable enough for adults, making it ideal for carpooling and family trips. The Odyssey's cargo space was another strong point, offering as much room as a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed. Despite the minivan's practical advantages, its image was a drawback for some consumers. However, the Odyssey's design, including kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels in the Elite trim, added a touch of style to the vehicle.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and it drove like a smaller SUV despite its large size. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the FWD model allowed for momentary tire spin before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience. The Enclave's suspension was particularly impressive, providing a smooth ride across various driving conditions. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and it achieved 21.2 mpg during testing, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls on the dashboard. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, responsive handling, and good composure on various road types. However, the brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious amenities such as 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's interior was designed for comfort, with a stylish center console and plenty of storage space. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the large rear doors made entry and exit easy. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, as well as a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's interior was designed for practicality, with numerous storage spaces and a center console tray. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was also 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 down, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave lacked integration with smart home digital assistants and high-end audio components. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The Odyssey also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, HDMI inputs, and a USB port. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and a lack of advanced voice recognition capabilities.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were somewhat limited, with advanced systems restricted to higher trim levels. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking were available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to a Marginal headlight performance rating.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the EX trim and higher. While Honda Sensing lacked some refinement, the Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.