2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its grille, front bumper, and taillights, which featured a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert. Standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation were introduced across all trims, and new wheel designs were available for the top three trims. These changes aimed to modernize the Odyssey's look by minimizing brightwork. The interior of the Odyssey Elite trim was notably upscale, featuring perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and ambient lighting, enhancing its appeal as a luxurious minivan option.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape straddled the line between SUV and hatchback, with a design that resembled an enlarged Ford Focus. Its curved snout and sleek roofline gave it a less truck-like appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages for three of its four trims, including the SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package. These packages offered upgrades such as 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels, but the interior design choices were less cohesive, with materials that felt low-rent even in the top Titanium trim.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 250 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available for the 2.0-liter engine. The Escape also offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with a total system output of 200 horsepower. While the three-cylinder engine was adequate, the Escape's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering. The 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 3,500 pounds, but towing figures for the hybrid models were not provided.

Inside the 2021 Honda Odyssey, drivers enjoyed legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage space. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, provided comfort with adjustable armrests. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered 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, despite improvements in seat folding.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered competitive interior space, with near-top segment headroom and legroom. The standard sliding rear seat allowed for flexible legroom or cargo space adjustments, providing 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering 33.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space due to battery placement. While the Escape's cargo capacity was decent, competitors like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi, and a CabinWatch interior camera. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features, but the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, with a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, was not touchscreen, disappointing some users.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Upgrading to the SE trim provided an 8-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM radio, while the Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Sync 3 was user-friendly, but the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors, and it missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available with Sync 4.

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 was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top NHTSA ratings except for a four-star rollover resistance score. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, its headlights received mixed ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with options for adaptive cruise control and park assist. The Escape's safety features were comprehensive, but its headlight performance varied by trim.