2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made loading children into car seats a breeze, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpoolers with ease. Its cargo space was unmatched, providing ample room for gear and groceries, and when the third-row seat was folded down, it rivaled the cargo capacity of larger SUVs. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to incorporate a sense of style, particularly in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and kinked sliding doors that added character to its clean design.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its unique and bold styling, borrowing elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct appearance. The GV70 featured quad LED headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a sleek, fastback-like profile. The Sport Prestige model added even more flair with its model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical-themed interior inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design that hid air vents and featured a rotary gear selector. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, making it a visually appealing choice for those seeking a stylish and upscale SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with 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 an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 22.6 mpg on a varied driving route. The Odyssey was praised for its enjoyable driving experience, offering quick acceleration, responsive handling, and composure on mountain roads. However, its brakes were noted to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, and its steering lacked precision compared to rivals. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride, especially with the 21-inch wheels.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a center console tray. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured for various needs, including the Magic Slide feature for easier access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expandable to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats created a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. It provided adequate headroom and legroom in both rows, with good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The GV70's interior design, while daring, compromised storage space with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. However, some controls were buried in touchscreen menus, making them less intuitive to use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The Odyssey also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive tech package with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were praised for their functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and cloud-based driver profiles, enhancing the GV70's tech appeal.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing's performance was criticized for its lack of refinement and occasional false warnings. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, did not have crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with a range of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GV70 also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70's safety systems were praised for their smooth operation, though lane-centering struggled with sharp curves.