2022 Volvo XC60 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 added 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 the Odyssey a more luxurious feel.

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, including a new front fascia with “air blades” for a sportier appearance, a new rear bumper that hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to move sensors for the driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with the XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country. The interior remained largely unchanged, featuring a clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car had aluminum mesh speaker grilles and elaborately textured seats, adding flair to an otherwise subdued interior. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

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 transmission 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 in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it had a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, supporting the adaptive cruise control’s stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. The 19-inch wheels on the Touring and Elite trims enhanced handling. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 powertrains. Both combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 also had an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional AWD, and the B6 available only with AWD. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The B6 R-Design test car impressed with its smooth power delivery and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The XC60 also offered a plug-in hybrid version, the XC60 Recharge, with 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, featuring Öhlins adjustable dampers, Akebono brakes, and a front strut bar.

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 front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but passengers didn’t complain. Storage space was excellent, with shelves in the front doors and a wireless smartphone charger on the center console’s top tray. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for 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 Volvo XC60’s interior space remained competitive, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom in both rows was average. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats down. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo space, at 21.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

Starting with EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey 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, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans. 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 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. A head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins were available. The new system featured Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates were enabled. The system was compatible with iPhones, but Android users benefited more from syncing their Google profiles. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a “Calm” setting to minimize distraction.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s safety was enhanced with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including 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. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available from EX trim. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The 2021 model received top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to maintain its impressive Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The optional Pilot Assist system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering for highway driving.