2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the Premier trim level was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. It also featured the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The LT trim was available with styling packages like the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition, and a Driver Confidence Package added driver assistance features.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look with tweaks for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and every trim level got standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels. Buyers could select from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. The Elite trim included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces. The Odyssey Elite aimed to serve as the Acura of minivans.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered a single engine: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power to front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). Around town, the engine sufficed, but it struggled for additional power at highway speeds, making plenty of noise. The Trax had a firm ride, especially harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided solid maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. The engine made 280 horsepower, and the transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission provided smooth, effortless power, and the engine's variable cylinder management conserved fuel. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, and testing averaged 21.8 mpg. AWD was unavailable, putting the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. Honda added a new electronic brake booster for 2021, improving brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience, with perfectly weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, heating up and suffering fade during a heatwave test.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats had poor bolstering. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door, and the low cupholder placement accommodated large water bottles. It provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. A 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, with the Elite trim adding a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, but passengers did not complain. Storage space was excellent, with shelves in the front doors and a wireless smartphone charger on the center console's top tray. All Odysseys except the base LX included Honda’s Magic Slide second-row seat layout, offering various seating modes. The second-row seats provided plenty of support, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. Removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was not enjoyable, but they folded flatter for increased utility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

Starting with EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans. The Odyssey's infotainment system lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice-recognition technology. Touring and Elite trims included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. Rivals offered more advanced safety features as standard.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, expanding its capabilities with a new radar unit. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning required upgrading to EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could apply uneven braking and had a wobbly lane-departure warning system. The NHTSA awarded the Odyssey top five-star ratings for all assessments except rollover resistance, which earned four stars.