2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces, and its spacious third-row seating ensured comfort for all passengers, including adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering ample room for gear and groceries, and its overall design, while adhering to traditional minivan aesthetics, included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark gray aluminum wheels on the Elite trim. Despite its practicality, the Odyssey faced challenges in popularity due to the stigma associated with minivans, as many consumers preferred the image of an SUV.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco was celebrated for its retro styling and rugged, go-anywhere attitude. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades model, which was equipped for swamp trekking with features like an intake snorkel and mud-terrain tires. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with features like removable fender flares and a full-size spare tire mounted on the tailgate. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery and drain plugs for easy cleaning. Despite its off-road focus, the Bronco impressed with its on-road manners, offering a smoother ride and better handling than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Its combination of brawn and brains made it a sought-after vehicle, though availability was limited due to high demand.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While it lacked the all-wheel-drive and hybrid options available in some competitors, the Odyssey delivered a respectable EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg on a varied driving route. However, its brakes showed signs of overheating during extended downhill driving, which could lead to pedal vibration and noise. Despite this, the Odyssey was praised for its quick acceleration, responsive handling, and overall driving enjoyment.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission featuring a crawl gear, while the V6 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos were equipped with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road performance, with models like the Everglades conquering challenging terrain with ease. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than many off-road vehicles, making it a versatile choice for both adventure and everyday driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height compared to most SUVs. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with clever solutions like a floor tray and numerous compartments. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing passenger comfort and safety. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its generous interior space, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some maneuvering, but the four-door version offered easier entry. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the four-door hard-top offering up to 77.6 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including netted door pockets and accessory rails. Its utility was further enhanced by external mounting points for racks and light bars, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies were available on higher trims, providing rear-seat monitoring and communication capabilities. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, but it was considered outdated. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad, but the overall infotainment experience was underwhelming.

The 2022 Ford Bronco embraced technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while maintaining driver engagement. The G.O.A.T. modes provided confidence for novice off-roaders, while experienced drivers could manually adjust settings. A forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature aided in navigating challenging terrain. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad. The Bronco's technology package was well-integrated, enhancing both off-road and on-road experiences.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. While Honda Sensing provided comprehensive safety coverage, it lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or abrupt interventions. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco's safety systems were reliable, with no false alarms or glitches. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS rated the Bronco "Good" in most categories, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.