2023 Lexus RX 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 the spacious third-row seat provided comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey's design, while adhering to traditional minivan aesthetics, included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels on the Elite trim. Inside, the Odyssey offered a classic open-concept design with quality materials and a user-friendly layout, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX presented a modern and sophisticated look with its shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase. The RX's exterior featured a spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design, giving it a fresh yet familiar appearance. The interior was thoroughly modern, with fewer buttons and a focus on digital instrumentation and touchscreen displays. The RX offered high-quality materials, including NuLuxe artificial leather and real wood trims, ensuring a luxurious feel. The RX's design was both stylish and functional, appealing to those seeking a premium SUV experience.

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 was a front-wheel-drive minivan with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the hybrid options of some competitors, the Odyssey offered a pleasant driving experience with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up during extended downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options, with the AWD model accelerating to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The RX's turbo engine provided better performance at higher altitudes and improved fuel economy, with an expected average of 24 mpg for the AWD version. The F Sport Handling trim added an adaptive damping suspension, enhancing the RX's handling and ride comfort.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats, a tri-zone climate control system, and ample storage space. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat offered comfort for adults. The Odyssey boasted 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Lexus RX offered comfortable seating with premium materials, including semi-aniline leather and NuLuxe simulated leather. The RX's back seat was roomy, with good leg support, although taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX provided useful storage areas and improved cargo space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. While not the most spacious in its class, the RX offered a balance of luxury and practicality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, its technology package felt outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. The Odyssey's CabinWatch and CabinTalk features were useful for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers, but the overall infotainment experience needed an upgrade.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Intelligent Assistant provided natural voice recognition, although it occasionally returned inaccurate results. The RX's infotainment system allowed for user profiles and streaming music services, offering a modern and user-friendly experience. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system delivered excellent audio quality, enhancing the RX's premium feel.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. While comprehensive, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or reacting too abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. New semi-autonomous technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. While impressive, the system had some quirks, such as unmarked adaptive cruise controls and curve-speed reduction technology that could be improved. Overall, the RX provided a robust safety package with innovative features.