2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to the grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. These subtle changes aimed to modernize the minivan's look by minimizing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in five trim levels, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, featured perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and new 19-inch wheels, enhancing its upscale appeal. The interior improvements, including seating material upgrades and tri-color floor mats, contributed to a more luxurious feel, positioning the Odyssey Elite as a premium minivan option.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, relied on styling details to differentiate its trim levels, reminiscent of past Chevy models. Its exterior design was a classic SUV look, with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a large grille. While it offered a clean and handsome design, it lacked the personality of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior featured a Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that were decent but not exceptional for its price point. Despite its size, the Traverse's interior storage options were limited compared to minivans.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 21.8 mpg during testing. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The brakes, though improved, struggled under heavy use, especially in hot conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the powertrain didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which was average for the segment.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with heated and ventilated options in the Elite trim. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse provided seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 98.2 cubic feet with rear seats folded. A power liftgate and power-folding third row were available on higher trims. Despite its size, the Traverse had limited interior storage options compared to minivans.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connectivity options starting from the EX trim. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi capability, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Odyssey's technology suite included HondaLink subscription services, but it lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice-recognition technology. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, was not a touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Bose audio system available on higher trims. The Traverse retained analog controls for audio and climate, which were appreciated for their simplicity. It also offered a rearview camera mirror and an HD surround-view camera system for improved visibility. USB ports were standard for all rows, but wireless phone charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a few exceptions. However, some ADAS features, like adaptive cruise control, could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, but its headlight ratings varied by trim. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features compared to competitors, with many features available only as options. Adaptive cruise control was limited to the top trim, and other safety features were optional extras.