2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a near-luxury collection of cars and crossover SUVs. Built on Volvo’s SPA platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short front and rear overhangs, an upright grille with the iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, and the interior boasted clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and elegant HVAC vents.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality leather upholstery. The interior reflected a classic open-concept design with a low console between the front seats and plenty of storage space. The Odyssey provided a comfortable and spacious environment, with supportive front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner in the Elite trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 came equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 models delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased the output to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 offered a smooth and quiet ride, with EPA fuel economy figures ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The front-wheel-drive minivan used a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike its 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 provided a responsive and enjoyable driving experience, but its brakes exhibited pedal vibration and an audible grumble during repeated use on downhill grades.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to provide comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet behind the first row. The crossover also featured smart storage solutions throughout the cabin and was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower seating position. The Elite trim level featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey offered impressive storage space, with 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. The Magic Slide second-row seats and comfortable third-row seats added to the minivan's versatility.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The system included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring and Elite trims 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 Odyssey's infotainment and technology package was considered underwhelming compared to its rivals.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a host of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was also available.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Honda Sensing, standard on all Odysseys, included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, and the blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned.