2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

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. Our 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 the Odyssey a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson offered a modern and attractive dash design with tech features seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic. The trim levels for the 2021 Tucson included SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. Standard features on the base Tucson SE included 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, HD radio, satellite radio, and more. The top trims, such as the Limited and Ultimate, offered premium features like a 360-degree camera system, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

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, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. Our testing loop averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured 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 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. The base 2.0-liter engine had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, providing comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for various seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 32.8 cubic feet, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. The Tucson provided solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. The rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on road trips. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, with helpful trays for the driver’s essentials.

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. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim featured an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing across 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 for easy access to ADAS settings. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for all assessments except rollover resistance, which received a four-star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was expected to continue recommending the Odyssey as a Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.