2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been eagerly anticipated since Ford unveiled the Bronco Concept in 2004. The excitement only grew with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV built on the Ford Escape platform, featuring standard all-wheel drive and adventure-ready styling. The original Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1996, was renowned for its off-road capabilities and remains a popular choice for customization. The new Bronco drew inspiration from its predecessor, embracing a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy that updated the classic look with modern technology and materials. The result was a vehicle that retained the cool factor of the original while incorporating contemporary features.

The Bronco's exterior design included a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and removable off-road sights on the hood. It came in two-door and four-door configurations, with varying wheelbases and overall lengths. The Bronco offered a choice of a black soft-top or a modular removable hardtop, and it was available in eleven paint colors, including eye-catching options like Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Antimatter Blue. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology, featuring a color touchscreen, digitized instrument cluster, and rugged yet stylish materials. The second-row seats were comfortable, with the four-door model providing ample space for adults.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received subtle updates for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were refreshed, and all trim levels came with standard LED headlights and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey's appearance. The minivan was available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. Certain paint colors required an additional $395 fee.

The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Odyssey Elite, featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces. The Elite trim aimed to position the Odyssey as a more luxurious minivan, akin to an Acura. The interior improvements included seating material and design enhancements, as well as new tri-color floor mats to better hide dirt. The Odyssey Elite's upscale features and refined design made it a compelling choice for families seeking a premium minivan experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter engine. All Bronco models featured standard four-wheel drive (4WD).

During a test drive in Holly, Michigan, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess in challenging conditions, including mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails. On pavement, the Bronco's 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package provided a noisy and somewhat wiggly ride, but the 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth and responsive performance. Off-road, the Bronco excelled, offering sure-footed traction, balanced handling, and impressive capability. The Sasquatch package's 35-inch tires, aired down to 27 psi, further enhanced the Bronco's off-road performance, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless power, and the transmission's variable cylinder management technology helped conserve fuel, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 21.8 mpg.

While the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability and other advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) contributed to a safe and enjoyable driving experience. The Odyssey's ride and handling were well-balanced, with firm but comfortable suspension and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during extended use in hot conditions, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's designers and engineers incorporated feedback from the marketplace, competition, and classic Bronco owners to create a highly functional and modular SUV. The Bronco featured removable doors with dedicated storage bags, integrated grip handles, and simple electrical connections. The doors could be stored in the cargo hold, and each bag was labeled and included a QR code for video instructions. The Bronco also had standard under-chassis protection, removable fenders and bumpers, and a one-piece front grille for easy replacement.

Inside, the Bronco's thoughtful design continued with trail sights on the hood for managing roof-mounted cargo, and a row of buttons on the center stack for differential and suspension settings. The overhead console included toggle switches for auxiliary equipment, making it easy to add off-road accessories. The Bronco's interior combined rugged materials with modern technology, providing a practical and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable and included adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but passengers found it comfortable.

The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, including Wide Mode, Buddy Mode, and Super Mode. The second-row seats provided good support and armrests, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. 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 2021 Ford Bronco featured the G.O.A.T. system (Go Over Any Terrain) with up to seven drive modes, depending on the trim level. The Bronco's infotainment system, SYNC 4, included an 8-inch standard touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch touchscreen with the High Package. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Push-button start was standard, with proximity key entry available in higher trims. The Sasquatch Package included position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connectivity. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional features, such as automatic collision notification, remote operation, and personal assistant services. The rear-seat entertainment system in Touring and Elite trims included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features were packaged by trim level. The Base model included airbags, while higher trims added features like Ford Co-Pilot 360 with pre-collision assist, blind-spot information, lane-keeping system, and auto high-beam headlamps. The High Package added a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing ADAS, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.