2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

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 new tri-color floor mats. The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, visually tying it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. While it had a retro feel, the design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights giving it a unique personality. The modern Defender was larger than the original, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, with bare metal and exposed screws in the door, along with nice metal trim for the steering wheel. The high-end Defender 90 V8 test car featured a mix of leather upholstery and suede, which seemed more practical for handling mud and dirt than traditional all-leather interiors.

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 low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a heatwave test. The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower, and a new 518-horsepower V8 engine. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 engine could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. V8 models also featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. The Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and effectively blocked noise from the 22-inch tires. It was less susceptible to crosswinds than a Jeep Wrangler and offered impressive off-road capabilities, including a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. The Defender also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 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 measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome. The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered more cargo space, with 11.4 cubic feet in three-row models and up to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the shifter and climate-control knobs, and a spacious center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes mounted to the side pillars.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s EX trim and above 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 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 disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen newly available for 2022. The interface was user-friendly, with good graphics and menu layouts, but the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features for 2021, with Honda Sensing now standard on all trims. The system included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. However, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning required upgrading to EX trim. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The 2022 Land Rover Defender’s standard driver-assist tech included lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender, which was not unusual for luxury vehicles.