2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured 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 it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, while adding more character. The details made the difference, with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription test car, the flashiest of the XC90 trim levels, sported extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels. The midlevel R-Design had a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, while the base Momentum trim had a new design for its standard 19-inch wheels. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models. The interior embodied “Swedish minimalism” with thoughtfully arranged, nice-looking materials, matte-finish wood trim, and an optional wool upholstery. The test car also featured an Orrefors crystal shifter, adding a high-end touch to the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission combination provided smooth, effortless power, with variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, and testing averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and well-managed body motions. The brakes, however, did not withstand heavy use well, heating up and fading during testing in a heatwave.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, with 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard all-wheel drive. Despite the power, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90 had difficulty accelerating on electric power alone. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. It had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. A 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 was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. However, the second-row seats had to be physically removed to access maximum cargo space, which was inconvenient.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and the XC90’s upright roof profile. The Inscription test car featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, which was near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

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, basic HondaLink connectivity, 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 included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans were available, with varying free trial periods. The Odyssey’s infotainment system lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice-recognition technology. Touring and Elite trims included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. It also had two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, with minimal analog controls, fitting the interior’s minimalist design. However, the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones. The XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports, limiting charging options for newer phones.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including a new radar unit and standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available from EX trim. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance, and was expected to maintain its impressive IIHS ratings.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests and “Superior” and “Advanced” ratings for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist was smooth and quick to react but had limitations on highway curves.