2023 Toyota RAV4 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 provided comfort for additional passengers like grandparents or carpoolers. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering the same capacity as a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seats were folded and the second-row seats removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style, particularly in the Elite trim, which featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and a sleek design.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a more rugged aesthetic, especially in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and orange interior accents, giving it a sporty look. While the RAV4's interior was relatively basic, it provided practical storage solutions and a sense of ruggedness with its lever-style gear shifter. The RAV4's design was consistent with the model introduced in 2019, and it offered a range of trims to suit different preferences and budgets.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked the all-wheel-drive and hybrid options available in some competitors, the Odyssey delivered a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg. During testing, it averaged 22.6 mpg on a diverse driving route. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, offering quick acceleration and responsive handling, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly exciting, the RAV4's performance was adequate for everyday driving. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came with all-wheel drive, enhancing their capability. The RAV4's suspension setup provided a comfortable ride, but it was not as quiet as some competitors. The TRD Off-Road trim offered additional off-road features, but the Adventure trim was more of a style statement than a true off-road performer.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior, with easy access through wide-opening doors and a low step-in height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seats were comfortable for adults. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats removed, the Odyssey excelled in cargo capacity.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 accommodated five passengers, with 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear. It offered 41 inches of front legroom and 37.8 inches in the back. While the RAV4's rear seat was narrower than some competitors, it provided practical storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and large door pockets. The RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class for storage capacity.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, its infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals. The Touring and Elite trims included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad, but the overall technology package needed an upgrade.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, and a 10.5-inch screen for higher trims. It supported over-the-air updates and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Adventure trim we tested featured an upgraded multimedia system with an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on select trims. The RAV4's technology package was more modern and competitive.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems lacked refinement, sometimes issuing false warnings or responding too abruptly. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on the base model and standard on higher trims. The RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with improvements in crash-test performance compared to previous models.