2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was slightly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the destination charge. 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, giving the Odyssey a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign, making it lower and wider than its predecessor, with a more sculpted look. It was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim offering premium features like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, body-color painted lowers and wheel arches, rear lens LED taillamps with a swipe-style turn sequence, and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. The interior of the Avenir trim featured leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated leather inserts, an Avenir-badged sill plate, trim-specific floor mats, and a head-up display (HUD). The Envision came with standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, as well as a welcome lighting animation. The cabin had a driver-centric design with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled toward the driver. However, the use of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. During testing, it averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it had a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. The brakes, however, did not perform well under heavy use, heating up and fading during a mountain descent.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The engine was less powerful than the previous year's model but benefited from a weight reduction of 200 to 300 pounds. The Envision offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with AWD available. The FWD model had an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 25 mpg combined. The Envision's acceleration and deceleration were noisy, and its drivability was more comfortable than sporty. The Sport mode altered the revs but did not significantly improve performance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, with inboard adjustable armrests and, in the Elite trim, a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating arrangements, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with all seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Buick Envision had a less spacious cabin than its predecessor, with reduced headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and less legroom and hip room in the rear. The cargo space was also smaller, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. Small-item storage was adequate, and the seats were comfortable, with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was limited, requiring drivers to rely on parking sensors.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system in Touring and Elite trims had a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, wireless headphones, and streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech highlight was the standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could use the available 8.0-inch driver information display for quicker access to station and song information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, air ionizer, keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel, OnStar and Buick Connected Services, remote start, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, surround-view camera, HUD, rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS and had top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems were accurate but could be smoother.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. The Envision did not have GM's Super Cruise or lane-centering technology.