2022 Porsche Macan 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 debuted 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 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced in 2015, remained nearly indistinguishable from the original despite regular updates. The 2022 model received another styling refresh, larger standard wheels, seven new wheel designs, and a new center console with haptic touch controls, increasing usable storage space. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan Turbo's high-output powertrain now in the GTS. The Macan S adopted the previous GTS model’s twin-turbo V6. The test vehicle, a Macan S, was priced at $87,670, including the $1,450 destination charge, with nearly $20,000 in extras. It featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, maintaining Porsche's tradition of aging gracefully. The interior drew upon other Porsches with its ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, large tachometer centered within the gauge cluster, flat and wide dashboard, and center console housing most of the secondary controls. The cabin, with red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents, had an upscale, sporty, and purposeful 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 and automatic transmission combination provided smooth, effortless power, with variable cylinder management for fuel conservation. The EPA rated the Odyssey at 22 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 21.8 mpg during testing. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured 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, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a Southern California heatwave.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, with the base model featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, with 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Macan S test car had a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans had a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The 2022 Macan's steering and suspension were re-tuned for improved ride and handling, with larger 20-inch standard wheels and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damping suspension. The test vehicle also had Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S offered a fun driving experience, with quick and responsive handling, and unyielding grip and stability on twisty roads. The upgraded brakes delivered fantastic, fade-free performance under duress. The Macan S's as-tested fuel economy was 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

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 with 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 measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 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 Porsche Macan offered comfortable front seats, with the test vehicle featuring the optional Premium Package with 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, but easy to access, with comfortable and supportive cushions and backrests. The new steering wheels, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt a little thin and uncomfortable after extended driving. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked clean but required looking away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 53 cubic feet with the rear 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, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system 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 drawbacks.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM), with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional Bose and Burmester audio systems. The user experience was intuitive, though the icons were sometimes perplexing. The voice recognition system responded correctly about half the time, lagging behind competitors. However, once configured, the Macan required minimal interaction with the infotainment system, with easy access to frequently adjusted features.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, expanding its capabilities with 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. 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 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional, with blind-spot monitoring included in the test vehicle's Premium Package. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, neither the NHTSA nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had published safety ratings for the Macan.