2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Honda Passport

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. These minor modifications modernized 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). Certain paint colors, which were free in 2020, cost an additional $395 in 2021. The test vehicle was a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, 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 tri-color floor mats that better hid dirt. The Odyssey Elite, with its handsome new 19-inch wheels and toned-down chrome, aimed to serve as the Acura of minivans.

The 2022 Honda Passport's new styling closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck forward of the doors and windshield. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform used for the Passport, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot. The Passport was essentially a shorter Pilot without a third-row seat and with different styling.

Honda styled the Passport's new nose to give it a tougher look. The updated design applied to all three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite, each with new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, featuring standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes for snowy, muddy, and sandy conditions.

The Passport EX-L was the new base model, with prices ranging from $37,870 to $45,430 (excluding a $1,225 destination charge). The test vehicle was a TrailSport trim with extra-cost Sonic Gray Pearl paint, bringing the MSRP to $44,095. TrailSport trims featured unique 18-inch wheels, a purposeful-looking roof rack, simulated skid plates, and other design modifications to enhance its SUV appearance.

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 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel conservation, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle averaged 21.8 mpg.

All-wheel drive was unavailable, putting the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy and icy regions. However, Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride. The brakes, however, did not withstand much abuse, heating up and vibrating during a Southern California heatwave.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), with the EX-L being the only FWD model. The TrailSport and Elite trims included Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel.

The V6 engine provided smooth and strong performance, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. The TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg. The Passport's i-VTM4 system was effective on twisty roads and moderately challenging off-road trails. The Passport offered firm, communicative ride and athletic handling, with good steering feel and excellent outward visibility. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was concerning given the Passport's 5,000-pound towing capacity.

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 various seating modes, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large, comfortable seats with inboard adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, with the Elite trim adding ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The rear passengers enjoyed ample room and large side windows. The Passport offered plenty of storage, including a massive center console storage bin and shelving in the front door panels. Cargo space measured 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

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 added 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 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. TrailSport trim added a navigation system, and the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The Passport's infotainment system lacked a stereo tuning knob, but setting favorite radio stations made it easy to cycle through them using a steering wheel control. The navigation system was clunky, and the voice-recognition technology was not always reliable. Wireless smartphone charging was standard.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) was standard on all trims, with expanded capabilities for 2021. The suite included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Honda Passport's Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. New for 2022 were a rear-seat reminder system and a seatbelt reminder system. The Passport's driver-assist tech was effective but not smooth or refined. The Passport earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four-star ratings for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.