2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like appearance, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete with the likes of the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. Mercedes made significant improvements, creating a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in opulence. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede made the interior a delight to experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, had a familiar look that had been slightly tweaked for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and all trim levels came with standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights, and new wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels. These minor modifications modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, as well as new dashboard ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale look and feel. The 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, along with toned-down chrome, brought the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 used a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 featured self-leveling air springs with adaptive dampers. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems provided advanced handling capabilities, including the ability to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered even more power with twin-turbo V8 engines. The GLE's hybrid system, powered by a 48-volt battery, provided additional horsepower and torque, seamless auto stop-start, and improved cold starts. Fuel efficiency varied, with the GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 mpg and the GLE 350 4Matic achieving 19/26/22 mpg. The GLE 350 had 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 offered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 had 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, the GLE 580 had 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. All GLE models could tow up to 7,700 pounds, and the driving experience was exceptional, with perfect steering and amazing ride quality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. The Odyssey averaged 21.8 mpg during testing. All-wheel drive was unavailable, putting the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The new electronic brake booster supported low-speed following for adaptive cruise control and improved brake pedal feel. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, heating up and fading during a mountain descent.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models being roomy two-row SUVs. An optional third-row allowed seating for seven, with power controls for the second-row seats. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe version had less cargo space, with 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, featuring a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors, rocker switches for the suspension, and AMG driving mode shortcuts on the steering wheel were easy to use. However, the thumbpads on the steering wheel were fussier, requiring setup before driving.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, with inboard adjustable armrests and, in Elite trim, 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 in the Elite trim. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, including Wide Mode, Buddy Mode, and Super Mode. The second-row seats offered plenty of support but lacked adjustable armrests. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with all seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The system included a touchpad, right thumbpad, and simplified interface with search bars and larger type. The AMG models had a Track Pace app, Seat Kinetics, and various comfort features like heated armrests and bolsters that inflated when steering. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, with sharp and crisp displays. Ambient lighting offered 64 colors, and the navigation system projected front camera feed with overlay arrows. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a natural voice assistant, enhanced usability. The semi-automated functionality included lane changes and curve slowing. The GLE was packed with electronic features, making it highly advanced but potentially overwhelming.

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 PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans were available, offering various safety and convenience features. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. Touring and Elite trims also included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, wireless headphones, and streaming apps. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk features allowed the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its top ratings in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side were also available, along with 360-degree cameras and advanced braking and stability control systems.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist were also standard. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS. The NHTSA awarded the Odyssey top five-star ratings in all assessments except rollover resistance, which received a four-star rating. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother, with adaptive cruise control applying uneven braking and lane-departure warning wobbling the steering wheel.