2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that aimed to capture the adventurous spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford blue oval badge, added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, providing a smart step-up in comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan designed with family convenience in mind. It featured sliding side doors for easy access, a comfortable third-row seat, and ample cargo space. The Odyssey's design adhered to the classic minivan ethos, with kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level boasted dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, adding a touch of style. Inside, the Odyssey offered a classic open-concept design with a low console and plenty of storage space. The interior was equipped with quality materials, and the Elite trim featured leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats and a comfortable third-row seat made it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, both tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it offered good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a better match for its character.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. It had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. 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. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle for daily driving.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered clever features for active buyers, with cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It had a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package, and smart storage compartments in the front cabin. However, taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was impressive, with numerous compartments and a center console tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats offered flexibility for child seat installation and access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat created 88.8 cubic feet of space, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with the latest infotainment systems, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. It offered Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM capability, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, while higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were becoming outdated. Starting with the EX trim, it offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The Odyssey Touring and Elite featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, along with a rear-seat entertainment system. The Elite trim included 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 required specific voice commands.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. All models featured all-wheel drive and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.