2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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. Buyers could choose from five trim levels, 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, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 sported a rugged exterior reminiscent of a traditional SUV, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from other compact crossovers. Underneath, it was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. The RAV4 offered options like the Adventure model with a retro Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, and the TRD Off-Road with matte black wheels and all-terrain tires. The interior featured rugged styling touches, but material quality did not elevate with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, but real leather was unavailable even on the top RAV4 Limited trim.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey averaged 21.8 mpg in testing, close to the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, improving brake pedal feel and response. While enjoyable to drive, the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, but the transmission hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feel. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and refinement. On the highway, the RAV4 was quieter, with a comfortable suspension. Off-road, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models had torque-vectoring rear axles and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, but lacked traditional off-roading features.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable with adjustable armrests, and the Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, but the third-row seats required removal for maximum cargo space. Cargo capacity was 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a tall roof providing good headroom and visibility, but legroom was limited. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and hard. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, with a wide aperture for loading. The interior featured oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, but lacked large cupholders and storage space. The RAV4's styling emulated old-school SUVs, but the rear seats didn't slide like some competitors.

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 offered subscription services for security, remote functions, and concierge services. 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 and streaming apps, but lacked a touchscreen.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering larger screens. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not flashy. The RAV4 Prime had a head-up display, but the gasoline RAV4 did not. The system provided a simple interface, but lacked excitement for tech-savvy shoppers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, with expanded capabilities for 2021. It included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. It missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system.