2021 Honda HR-V 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, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 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 the Odyssey a more luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs. It featured distinctive details like upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights in a triangular point that housed the rear door handles. Most trim levels came with 17-inch alloy wheels, with a machined finish on the HR-V EX and EX-L, while Sport models got matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. EX and EX-L models included push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with EX-L models adding leather upholstery. The HR-V’s design was practical and solid, though it lacked the luxury feel of higher-end vehicles.

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, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and an observed average of 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, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during heavy use, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was available on all trim levels, with FWD as standard. The HR-V’s powertrain was underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was ineffective. Competitors offered more powerful engine options. However, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. The ride quality was decent, but the HR-V’s AWD system was only suitable for slippery roads, and it had minimal ground clearance and no towing capability.

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 tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, the second-row seats had to be physically removed to access the maximum cargo volume, which was inconvenient.

The 2021 Honda HR-V had impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Folding the seat down provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), while leaving it up retained 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). The HR-V led the segment in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior controls were sensibly designed, with large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, which was simple and easy to use. The HR-V lacked clever interior storage solutions but offered a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel for easier driving position adjustments.

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

The base HR-V LX came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim level and higher included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small, and competitors offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features across all trims.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing on all trims. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for all assessments except rollover resistance, which received four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was expected to continue its Top Safety Pick recommendation for the Odyssey.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were only available on the EX and EX-L trim levels, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.