2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design that had been 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 gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trims, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. 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, included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, on the other hand, was a fully-loaded model with an MSRP of $42,083, including the destination charge. Despite its high price, it resembled a standard RAV4, lacking the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, but its 18-inch wheels were considered bland and undersized. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was stylish and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. The test vehicle had a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate, but overall, the interior was functional and comfortable.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. It offered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow, and paddle shifters for manual control. The Odyssey's fuel-saving technology allowed it to achieve an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, but the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front and rear electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. It offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV, with a whirring noise in EV mode for pedestrian awareness. The RAV4 Hybrid's CVT operated smoothly, and its regenerative braking system was effective. The SUV achieved an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 39.7 mpg. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension and steering provided a comfortable and agreeable driving experience, but its tires lacked grip, limiting its fun factor.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and well-organized interior with legible instrumentation and logical controls. It featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the Elite trim. The second-row Magic Slide seats 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 with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom and foot space were decent, with reclining backrests and heated rear cushions. The dashboard featured clear instrumentation and well-placed controls, with oversized climate control knobs and useful stereo knobs. The RAV4 Hybrid offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and more. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, but it wasn't a touchscreen.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-tier system included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. Toyota also offered camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard. It included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and was expected to receive a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The RAV4 Hybrid earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, except for its headlights. The lane-centering assistance could be overly assertive, and the adaptive cruise control allowed too much space between vehicles in traffic.