2021 INFINITI QX80 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. The Elite trim, in particular, boasted 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 INFINITI QX80 reflected its origins with a mix of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. The body-on-frame construction carried over from the Armada, evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80’s face, however, was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a grille with dark chrome trim and headlight design similar to other Infiniti SUVs. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base Luxe trim and 22-inch wheels on Premium Select and Sensory trims, added to its assertive yet not overly aggressive look. The interior, while luxurious with wood trim and standard leather upholstery, still bore a strong resemblance to the Armada, including the dashboard shape and switchgear.

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, achieving an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, 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 stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with firm yet comfortable suspension and well-managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a $3,100 option for four-wheel drive. The V8 engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80 featured independent suspension with a rear auto-leveling feature and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, providing a comfortable ride despite some detectable shudders over bumps. The QX80’s handling was less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll, but the speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and a 4WD drivetrain with low range and a forward skid plate.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added 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 both the second and third rows folded. However, the second-row seats needed to be physically removed to maximize cargo space, which was inconvenient.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console, with an optional eight-seat configuration. The front seats offered 10-way and 8-way adjustability for the driver and passenger, respectively, with heating and cooling on Sensory models. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row made switching between passenger and cargo hauling easier. However, the front-door cupholders and phone storage spots were not well-designed.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with optional upgrades to a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were complemented by analog controls, but the user interface was not intuitive, making it difficult to navigate the system. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features for driving the large SUV.

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 for easy access to ADAS settings. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately, though not always smoothly. 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 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were common in mainstream SUVs but were standard on the QX80.