2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which began with the original Land Rover Series I in 1948. The Defender name was first used in 1990, and the model continued with only minor changes until 2016. The new Defender aimed to echo the vibe of previous generations while bringing the SUV into the modern era. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with a diamond-plate pattern. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate, and the SUV had short overhangs that made it look capable of tackling any obstacle.

Inside, the Defender's theme of exposed structure was prominent. The dash appeared to be held between two horizontal beams, and exposed Allen-head bolts secured the door panels. The controls and steering wheel were beefy, and the leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious. The digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were crisp and clean. The interior felt authentic, high-quality, and thoughtfully designed, with real metal and leather surfaces.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was recommended for families due to its practical features. The minivan's sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered plenty of cargo space, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The minivan's design included kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines, giving it a sense of style. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, the Odyssey Elite had quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with a deep well behind the third row to prevent items from rolling out. The minivan's interior was designed for convenience, with numerous storage spaces and an onboard vacuum cleaner in the Elite trim.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base powertrain was a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The other option was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender had impressive off-road capabilities, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model going from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey had a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The front-wheel-drive minivan used a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. The Odyssey had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The minivan was quick when merging onto freeways, responsive when cornering, and composed on mountain roads. However, repeated use of the brakes when driving down hills caused pedal vibration and an audible grumble. The Odyssey's brakes needed to be more resistant to heating up on mountain grades.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. The SUV had four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender's seating layout included an optional jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110. The Defender 110 had 34-34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey had wide-opening doors and a low ride height, making it easy to step inside. The Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan had numerous storage spaces, including shelving in the front door panels and a floor tray between the dashboard and center console. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, and multiple camera views were available, including a "transparent hood" view. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim level, the Odyssey had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. The Odyssey Touring and Elite featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to check on passengers and broadcast their voice through the stereo speakers or wireless headphones. The rear-seat entertainment system had a 10.2-inch display screen, but it was behind the times. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, including hundreds of thousands of miles through harsh climates and conditions.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. The Odyssey earned an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).