2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trims, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. The Odyssey was available in five trim levels, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, included perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and new tri-color floor mats, offering a more luxurious interior. The 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, along with reduced chrome, contributed to the Odyssey Elite's upscale look, positioning it as a premium option in the minivan segment.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek adopted a rugged crossover design, building on the Impreza hatchback's foundation. It featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes gave the Crosstrek an SUV-like appearance and more character than the base Impreza hatch. The Crosstrek offered vibrant color options, such as Plasma Yellow Pearl, enhancing its visual appeal. The interior remained functional but plain, with the Sport trim featuring Plasma Yellow Pearl accents and simulated carbon-fiber trim. Despite these design choices, the Crosstrek maintained a comfortable ride and low wind noise, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 21.8 mpg during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing brake pedal feel and response, although the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use. Overall, the Odyssey offered a pleasurable driving experience with well-managed ride and handling qualities.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The base and Premium trims retained the 2.0-liter engine with 152 horsepower. The Crosstrek's AWD system, standard across all trims, included torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. The Sport trim added Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with noticeable body roll due to the higher center of gravity. The new engine provided adequate acceleration, but the CVT's droning was evident during acceleration.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious interior with logical controls and ample storage. The driver's seat, adjustable in 12 ways, provided comfort, while the Elite trim added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in seat folding.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55.3 cubic feet with seats folded, it lagged behind some competitors. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole with USB ports for front passengers. While the driving position was higher than the Impreza's, it didn't provide the commanding view of traditional SUVs. Visibility was good, thanks to large side windows and a car-like front fascia.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi, and a CabinWatch interior camera. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless charging. HondaLink subscription services offered various remote and security features. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, with a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, failed to impress tech-savvy children.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek utilized Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi and SiriusXM radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was available on higher trims. Subaru's unique dual-screen setup displayed redundant information. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, ensuring ease of use.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA, with five stars in most categories. The IIHS was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick recommendation, thanks to standard LED headlights.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in side crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a Top Safety Pick, likely applicable to the 2021 version. EyeSight driver-assist features, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The system's cameras, while protected, had limitations in certain conditions.