2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with its decade-old styling theme, received subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new model year introduced a refreshed grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. New wheel designs were also introduced for the top three trims, reducing the brightwork and giving the Odyssey a more contemporary look. The Odyssey was available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, elevating the Odyssey's interior to a more luxurious level.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins to a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains, upgrades, and personalization options, with the long-wheelbase version reaching prices upwards of $250,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, standard paint, wheels, and leather, and options like a wood-and-leather steering wheel and heated and ventilated seats. Despite its design nearing a decade old, the Range Rover maintained a timeless look with hallmark design cues and a luxurious interior. The cabin, with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, exuded luxury, although the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

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, identical to the previous model year, offered smooth and effortless power, with variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, while the adaptive cruise control gained stop-and-go low-speed following capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's four-wheel drive system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the turbo-six engine delivered seamless power. However, the steering was slow and syrupy, and the suspension struggled to manage the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity. The Range Rover achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, provided comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for 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 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats, wrapped in quality leather, were decadently comfortable, while the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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 more. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional features like remote operation and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment, with three displays offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with practice. The dual 10-inch touchscreens posed a distraction while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover's technology included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app serving as a digital owner's manual. Voice control commands and touch-sensing steering wheel controls helped mitigate the system's complexity.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing on all trims. The system added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score. The ADAS worked accurately, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning system could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more as standard. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous parking. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, with effective safety features. However, the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations, such as when traffic cleared ahead.