2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance due to its carryover styling from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's decision to maintain the boxy, upright shape was likely a strategic move to appeal to SUV shoppers who favored this design. The Forester's Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but it maintained a clean and unpretentious look compared to other compact crossovers. The Sport models, with their orange striping, rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, added a touch of flair, especially when paired with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback, emphasizing its rugged SUV marketing. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand wear and tear, and the Sport trim added orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims featured leather. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level, with dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, topped the lineup that included LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770. The Odyssey's interior featured quality materials, with leather upholstery starting from the EX-L trim. The open-concept design provided ample storage space, and the center stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was user-friendly.

The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats were a standout feature, allowing for various configurations to accommodate passengers and cargo. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was substantial at 32.8 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Odyssey's practicality and comfort made it a strong contender for families.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. The Forester had a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and featured Trailer Stability Assist. However, the lack of a turbocharged engine option meant the power felt adequate but not thrilling, especially during highway merging or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on the Forester, a hallmark of Subaru's identity. The drivetrain included X-Mode for different surfaces, with Sport models offering Dual X-Mode for "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Premium and higher trims featured hill-descent control, and all models had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capability. However, for serious off-roading, alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were recommended.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. The Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating a need for more robust braking performance.

During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The adaptive cruise control and Honda Sensing technologies performed well, but the brakes exhibited overworked behavior on long descents. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and composed, making it a pleasant vehicle to drive.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench, and features like a power liftgate were only available on higher trims. The interior included practical elements like large knobs for audio and climate control, but the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's storage space was impressive, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for various configurations, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo flexibility. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was substantial at 32.8 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto starting from the EX trim. Touring and Elite trims included navigation, HondaLink connected services, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk technology. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it was considered outdated. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, was unique to Subaru, ensuring drivers remained attentive.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey also received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, 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. However, the safety features lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned, and the radar's range was limited.