2021 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been a long-awaited revival, drawing inspiration from its classic predecessor. The new Bronco featured a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and a rugged, adventure-ready design. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, it offered a range of wheel sizes and tire options, including the off-road-focused Sasquatch package. The Bronco's interior combined retro styling with modern technology, featuring a color touchscreen, digitized cluster, and rugged materials. The second-row seats were comfortable, with ample space in the four-door model.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey maintained the classic minivan design with a touch of style. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality leather upholstery. The interior was spacious, with a low console between the front seats and plenty of storage space. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, the Odyssey offered ample storage for family trips.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 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. All models featured standard four-wheel drive. During testing in challenging weather conditions, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess, handling mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails with ease. The 2.7-liter engine provided smooth power delivery, making it well-suited for both on-road and off-road driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or hybrid options. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg and performed well on various road types, including freeways, rural roads, and mountain two-lanes. However, the brakes exhibited pedal vibration and audible grumbling during extended downhill driving. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and responsive, providing an enjoyable driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco excelled in modularity, with removable doors and fenders, and easy-to-replace bumpers and grille. The doors featured dedicated storage bags and simple electrical connections, making removal and reinstallation straightforward. The Bronco's interior was designed with off-road functionality in mind, with accessible controls for suspension settings and auxiliary equipment. The trail sights on the hood served as tie-down points for roof-mounted cargo, adding to the Bronco's practicality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a user-friendly interior with wide-opening doors and a low hip point for easy entry. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, the Odyssey offered impressive storage capacity for family needs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch standard touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch screen. The G.O.A.T. system provided up to seven drive modes for various terrains. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and a wireless charging pad. The Bronco also offered push-button start, a proximity key entry system, and a rear-view camera with backup assist lines.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies allowed 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. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated compared to competitors, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a range of safety features, with more options available at higher trim levels. The Base model included airbags, while the Mid Package added 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. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

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. 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 above. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, though some safety features lacked refinement.