2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child seats, and the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents without hassle. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the 2022 Honda Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality materials throughout the interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround and bumper styling. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with the A-Spec Advance package offering high-quality interior materials and a quieter cabin. The RDX's design emphasized a sporty driving position and a dramatic center dashboard, although its control layout required some acclimation.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive only, unlike competitors with hybrid or all-wheel-drive options. The Odyssey's EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 22.6 mpg during testing. While enjoyable to drive, the Odyssey's brakes exhibited pedal vibration and audible grumble during repeated use on downhill grades, indicating a need for more heat-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The RDX's EPA fuel economy rating was 23 mpg, but it averaged 20.6 mpg during testing. The RDX's driving dynamics were enhanced by its adaptive-damping suspension and Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), providing a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX was quieter than previous models, thanks to added sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan's storage space was impressive, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered ample room for four adults and their luggage. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a dramatic center dashboard with a large IDS driving mode knob. The RDX's control layout required some learning, but the standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive. The back seat, however, lacked support and comfort for adults. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included navigation, HondaLink connected services, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk technology. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it was outdated compared to competitors. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. Overall, the Odyssey's infotainment system needed a significant upgrade.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system with a 10.2-inch display and a touchpad controller. The system required acclimation but offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX also included satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services, and a navigation system. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The RDX's technology package was more advanced and user-friendly than the Odyssey's.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too sharply or abruptly.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and added a rear seatbelt reminder system. The standard AcuraWatch suite included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were reasonably refined but not as smooth as some competitors. The RDX earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.