2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring, standing out among midsize SUVs and crossovers with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a statement, while the character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, added a sporty touch. The rear taillights, though missing a vertical element, looked like they belonged on a Lexus. The Highlander managed to appear longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size.

The XSE trim level, new for 2021, featured a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia. However, despite its sporty appearance, the XSE was more about looks than performance. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum level, offered chrome roof rails and accents, giving it an upscale exterior. Inside, the Limited trim shone with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim, making it a luxurious choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, had a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level, which we tested, featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Odyssey lineup included the base LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770. The Elite trim, priced at $49,995, came with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system.

The Odyssey's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering numerous storage spaces and a low console between the front seats. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured in various ways to accommodate different needs. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet available. Folding the third-row seat increased the 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 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While it wasn't designed for drag races, it provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable choice for family transportation. The Highlander measured up well against competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot in terms of horsepower and torque.

The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, tightening up the suspension for a slightly sportier feel. However, the Highlander remained a comfortable and family-focused vehicle, with a soft suspension that made it a bit lumbering through corners.

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. Its EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg in combined driving. During our test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg.

The Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, with quick acceleration for merging onto freeways and responsive handling on twisty roads. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating that the brakes could become overworked when the van was fully loaded. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in keeping driver and passengers comfortable, with a set of shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones and other items. Second-row passengers enjoyed plenty of legroom, and the seats could be adjusted to maximize space for either the middle or third row. However, the rear-seat climate control air vents were positioned on the ceiling, which could be uncomfortable for middle-row passengers.

Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 16 cubic feet, but folding down the third row increased it to 48.4 cubic feet. With both the second and third rows folded, the Highlander offered 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, making it suitable for most family needs.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's interior offered numerous storage spaces, including a handy floor tray between the dashboard and center console.

Second-row seat comfort was commendable, with plenty of legroom and the option to remove the center section for added flexibility. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for various configurations, making it easier to tend to children or create a pass-through to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room.

Cargo space behind the third row was 32.8 cubic feet, with a well in the floor to prevent items from rolling out. Folding the third-row seat increased the cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, comparable to a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were easy to use, but the navigation system struggled with locating points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but only certain apps utilized the full width, making its added expense questionable.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system, standard on Touring trim, included a 10.2-inch display, HDMI inputs, and a USB port. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad.

However, the Odyssey's infotainment system felt outdated, with an 8-inch touchscreen that seemed small by modern standards. The embedded navigation system required specific voice commands and was less intuitive than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the EX trim and higher.

However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned, and the radar seemed to provide late warnings. Despite these issues, the Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.