2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly modernized 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, reducing brightwork and giving the Odyssey a more contemporary appearance.

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, now cost an additional $395. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim introduced perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and tri-color floor mats that better concealed dirt.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, continued to build on its legacy since its North American debut in 1996. The latest iteration of a 2019 redesign, the RAV4 often topped the SUV sales charts in the United States. Its exterior styling, while fitting in with current crossover designs, featured angular flourishes in the wheel arches and crisp lines contrasting with organic body-side bends. The expressive headlights, snub-nosed grille, and grinning lower fascia openings created a playful yet aggressive look. Toyota's traditional fit-and-finish elevated the overall quality of the exterior.

Inside, the RAV4 had a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack. The touchscreen interface was positioned for minimal driver distraction. Distinctive design cues, such as a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern, tied the cabin together. The Adventure-trim test vehicle featured 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, adding to its rugged appeal.

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, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. During testing, it averaged 21.8 mpg.

The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes, despite improvements, struggled under heavy use, particularly during a Southern California heatwave.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains. The gasoline-only model had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for FWD models was 30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 217 horsepower and achieving 40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine and a larger battery pack, delivered 302 horsepower and could run up to 42 miles on electricity alone, with an efficiency rating of 94 MPGe combined.

The test vehicle, a gasoline Adventure AWD model, provided smooth and immediate power delivery, with a familiar eight-speed transmission. The RAV4's car-like handling, aided by MacPherson struts and a multi-link suspension, offered a comfortable and controlled ride. AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select tuning and dynamic torque vectoring for improved handling.

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. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout 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, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The RAV4 had a healthy payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on configuration, and could tow up to 3,500 pounds in Adventure and TRD Off-Road models.

Inside, the RAV4 provided ample space for four adults, with plenty of legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. The second-row split-folding bench seat could accommodate five passengers in a pinch. Storage options included cupholders, bottle holders, a roomy glove compartment, and covered storage beneath the center armrest.

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 navigation, HondaLink subscription services, 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 notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, available in Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, with the Premium Audio setup on Limited and RAV4 Prime XSE models featuring an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation.

The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced technology, including five USB ports, two 12-volt/120-watt auxiliary power outlets, an available 120-volt/1,500-watt AC power outlet, blue ambient illumination, a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including low-speed follow capability, 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 earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota’s Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking. The RAV4 earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.