2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” As car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, Subaru imbued its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. This strategy allowed the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV, giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch. The Crosstrek featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, affording 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The interior, virtually unchanged from the Impreza hatchback, was functional but somewhat plain-looking, with some questionable design choices like the clashing Plasma Yellow Pearl accents in the Sport trim.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design ethos, managed to incorporate a sense of style. The kinked sliding doors resulted in dramatic hockey-stick character lines, and the Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior reflected a classic open-concept minivan design with a low console between the front seats and plenty of storage space. The Odyssey Elite boasted quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row Magic Slide seats and a comfortable third-row seat made it a practical choice for families, offering ample legroom and cargo space.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trim levels featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the previous 2.0-liter boxer-four, which produced 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only. All trim levels came with standard AWD, including torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek exhibited predictable handling and a comfortable ride, though the higher center of gravity resulted in increased body roll.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive minivan had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While the Odyssey lacked the hybrid options available in competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica, it offered a more enjoyable driving experience. The Odyssey Elite demonstrated quick acceleration, responsive handling, and remarkable composure on various road types. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating a need for more heat-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive against other small crossovers in passenger space, it lagged behind in cargo space compared to models like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system, a handy cubby hole ahead of the shifter, and decent-sized bottle holders in the doors. However, storage space was minimal, and the driving position, while higher than the Impreza’s, didn’t allow for towering over other vehicles.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was impressive, with numerous places to stash items. The second-row Magic Slide seats and a comfortable third-row seat provided ample legroom and flexibility. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, the second-row seats were heavy and challenging to reinstall.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, featuring a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek also had a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate and responsive, with large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions like audio volume and climate control.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey featured 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 also included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the infotainment system’s 8-inch touchscreen felt small, and the embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, a “Top Safety Pick” rating. The Crosstrek featured standard EyeSight driver-assist features on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, EyeSight’s cameras could be blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight, limiting functionality.

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 featured 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. While Honda Sensing provided a comprehensive suite of safety features, it lacked refinement and could respond too sharply to changing driving situations. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.