2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Buick Enclave

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 added perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and tri-color floor mats, enhancing the minivan's upscale look and feel.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, historically known for its conservative styling, underwent a significant transformation over the past 15 years, shifting from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio. The Enclave, a three-row crossover SUV, debuted in 2008 and received a redesign in 2018, moving it further upmarket. For 2022, the Enclave received a mid-cycle refresh with several exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with new push-button gears, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Avenir trim included standard climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 21.8 mpg. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The 2021 model introduced a new electronic brake booster, enhancing brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with AWD available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled various terrains admirably, with Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology enhancing cabin serenity. The powertrain was responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration and a pleasant engine sound. While not designed for off-road use, the Enclave's AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable and included inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided 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, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with all seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. All Enclaves came standard with an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The spacious cabin provided ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The test vehicle included power-folding third-row seats for added convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the 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. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting a larger, 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. A built-in WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices up to 50 feet away. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although back-seat passengers often requested higher volume. The Enclave also included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, Teen Driver technology, and several available advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing on all trims. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother in operation. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for all assessments except rollover resistance, which received a four-star score. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was expected to award the Odyssey a Top Safety Pick recommendation.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.