2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly 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 added 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 it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the upcoming Bronco, capturing some of the same rugged styling cues but designed as a more suburban-friendly, everyday driver ready for weekend adventures. It featured a modern retro look reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and tucked-in body sides for trail driving. The front end echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, and a modest Ford blue oval badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied by trim, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches and different finishes and tire types. The interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design, convenient storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The trim levels offered a step-up in interior features, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and a smart progression in cargo floor options.

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, along with 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, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it had a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, showed signs of fade during intense use.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque for the Badlands and First Edition trims. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport performed well off-road, with a short wheelbase, independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it had good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained under hard acceleration. The 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the Bronco Sport's character.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was standard on all but the base LX trim, with the Elite trim adding a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. 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 the second row removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and 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 with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging. The seating position could be improved for better trail visibility.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system 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 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. Higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a 360-degree camera, and additional G.O.A.T. modes for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel were available on higher trims. The terrain management system provided various drive modes for different conditions, enhancing the Bronco Sport's off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including 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. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available from the EX trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features as standard, with pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was part of the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced safety. Crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.