2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Subaru Outback had a familiar and comfortable feel, reminiscent of older Subaru models. Despite its redesign in 2020, the Outback maintained its traditional analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms. However, the interior was fresher compared to the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, especially if you skipped the base trim. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, which added a touch of modernity. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, offered a unique and durable interior. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding and smooth styling gave it a balanced and stable appearance, with minimal changes for 2021.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, had a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level, which we tested, featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Odyssey's interior was spacious and practical, with quality materials and a low console between the front seats. The center stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was user-friendly. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows provided excellent visibility, enhancing the minivan's open and airy feel. The Odyssey's design was functional and family-friendly, with thoughtful touches like tri-color floor mats and an onboard vacuum cleaner in the Elite trim.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did not help, making the Outback slow and noisy. However, the XT trim's 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, transformed the driving experience, offering better performance and refinement. The Outback's fuel economy was decent, with the base engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo XT managed 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its long-travel springs, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 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 combined. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, the brakes tended to overheat and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving. Overall, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience, balancing performance and practicality for daily use.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, surpassing even some trucks, making it capable of tackling various terrains. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and practicality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality. The minivan's doors opened wide, and the lower seating position made entry and exit easy. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing comfort and safety. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Despite its limitations, the system provided good semi-automated control on marked highways.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, HondaLink connected services, and rear-seat entertainment. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems were useful for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks. The embedded navigation system was also less user-friendly compared to smartphone-based options.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium trims and standard on higher trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a "Top Safety Pick+" award and an overall five-star rating, respectively.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement and could respond too sharply to changing driving conditions. The Odyssey also earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a "Top Safety Pick+" award and an overall five-star rating.