2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, embracing a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty appearance. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille, with headlights accented by running lights, creating a cohesive and modern look. The Sorento's interior boasted high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The seating options varied, with the SX Prestige offering 10-way driver’s seat adjustment and real perforated leather upholstery, providing comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey maintained a classic minivan design with a touch of style. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, adding a hint of sophistication. The interior was designed for practicality, with a low console and ample storage space. The Odyssey's open-concept design provided an expansive view through the massive windshield, enhancing the driving experience. While the Odyssey's overall design adhered to traditional minivan aesthetics, it offered quality materials and a comfortable interior, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine standing out. This engine delivered 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for highway driving. The all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential ensured traction in various conditions. The Sorento's suspension, featuring McPherson struts and a multi-link setup, provided a smooth ride, even with 20-inch wheels. Different drive modes allowed for tailored driving experiences, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response. Despite its weight, the Sorento handled corners well, offering a comfortable and controlled ride.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel-drive minivan used a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While lacking all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, the Odyssey offered a balanced driving experience. It averaged 22.6 mpg during testing, though brake performance was a concern on downhill grades. The Odyssey excelled in merging, cornering, and maintaining composure on mountain roads, making it enjoyable to drive. However, its brakes needed improvement for better resistance to heating on mountain descents.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while practical, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, with ample legroom in the front and rear seats. Cargo space was limited behind the third row, but folding the seats increased capacity to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento offered convenient storage solutions, including a wireless charging spot and cupholders. However, its total cargo volume was more in line with compact crossovers, making it less suitable for larger families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. Its wide-opening doors and lower seating position made entry easy. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with ample leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, rivaling larger SUVs.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the larger screen required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento offered numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and point-of-interest functions. Overall, the Sorento's tech package was solid but had room for enhancement.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. Touring and Elite trims added navigation and HondaLink services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies provided rear-seat monitoring and communication. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, was outdated compared to rivals. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker audio system and wireless charging. The Odyssey's infotainment system was user-friendly but could benefit from a larger screen and a tuning knob. The navigation system required specific voice commands, making smartphone integration a more reliable option.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The surround-view camera system was helpful for parking, though the lane-keeping assist could be overly sensitive. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with higher trims offering better headlight performance.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey's safety features could be abrupt in response, and the blind-spot monitoring system's placement was less intuitive. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.