2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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. 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.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator carried over its sharp design from the previous year, characterized by crisp lines and heavy use of chrome. Inside, Lincoln differentiated the Aviator from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and a center console that rose elegantly to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's cabin also included a piano button shifter and soothing chimes for various alerts, contributing to its air of class and luxury. Trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring, each adding progressively more luxurious features. The Grand Touring trim, tested, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, and Lincoln’s Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function.

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, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine provided smooth, effortless power and included variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and the Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a heatwave test.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator's drive mode selector included modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," suitable for highway and cul-de-sac driving but less composed in city driving.

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, 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 measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled and 144.9 cubic feet with all rear seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a potential functional issue, as they relied on the vehicle's battery.

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

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was easy to use and featured a sensible menu layout. The Aviator also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons on the screen. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and easy-to-read information.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS and received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.