2023 Acura RDX vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and style, making it a popular choice for families. Its design featured sliding side doors that provided easy access, especially in tight parking spaces, and a comfortable third-row seat that accommodated adults without hassle. The Odyssey's interior was spacious, with a classic open-concept design and quality materials, including leather upholstery in higher trims. The Elite trim level added a touch of sophistication with dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and a well-organized center stack for easy access to stereo and climate controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura RDX was known for its sharp, angular style, though it remained conventional enough to blend in with other small SUVs. The front showcased Acura's signature grille, flanked by sleek wraparound headlights, while the side featured a distinctive character line suggesting forward movement. Inside, the RDX had a vertical cockpit layout with a focus on performance, highlighted by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. While the interior wasn't as modern as some rivals, it offered a familiar feel for those averse to oversized touchscreens, with a digital center display and analog gauges.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, offering quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2023 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It came standard with front-wheel drive, with Acura's "super-handling all-wheel drive" available on all models. The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, offering a sporty driving experience with immediate throttle response and a pleasing engine sound. Its handling inspired confidence, with well-managed body roll and a comfortable ride that smoothed over road imperfections.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey offered impressive storage space, including a handy floor tray and numerous compartments. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, the Odyssey excelled in practicality, offering up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Acura RDX offered ample space in the front seats, with additional power adjustments in top trims. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The cabin felt open and airy, thanks to a large panoramic sunroof. The RDX provided 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a deep bin under the cargo floor for added utility. Folding the rear seats expanded capacity to 79.8 cubic feet, and the interior featured various storage options for smaller items.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment features were becoming outdated. Starting with the EX trim, it offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems, along with a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the navigation system required specific voice commands.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system used a touchpad controller, which was challenging to operate, especially while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto improved the experience. The RDX came standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring via the Acuralink app. The top A-Spec Advanced trim featured a 16-speaker ELS audio system, offering potent bass and clear high notes.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including Honda Sensing, which encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

The 2023 Acura RDX received five stars from NHTSA for overall and side crash protection, and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. It came standard with advanced safety features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology package added parking sensors, while the Advance package included a surround-view camera system.