2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new model year introduced a refreshed grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. These changes aimed to reduce brightwork and give the Odyssey a more contemporary look. The interior received upgrades with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, particularly in the Touring trim, offering a more upscale feel. The Odyssey's seating materials and design saw improvements, and new tri-colour floor mats were introduced to better conceal dirt.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD, priced at $45,341, appeared less distinctive despite being fully loaded. The styling was robust for a compact SUV, but the 18-inch wheels seemed undersized. The interior was a mix of stylish and practical elements, with some quality inconsistencies. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin was functional, with a blend of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate on the tailgate was noted during testing. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid's design was practical and functional, with a hint of ruggedness, but lacked the premium feel expected at its price point.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow, and paddle shifters for manual control. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive was a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing adaptive cruise control and brake pedal feel. While the Odyssey offered a pleasurable driving experience with well-managed ride and handling qualities, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. The hybrid system provided standard all-wheel drive and several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The RAV4 Hybrid's fuel efficiency was rated at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, with a tested average of 5.9 L/100 km. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's steering was well-weighted, and the suspension design contributed to favourable ride and handling dynamics. However, the all-season tires offered low grip, affecting cornering performance. The RAV4 Hybrid excelled as a daily driver, with a comfortable ride and the ability to handle light off-road conditions.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable with 12-way power adjustment, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat legroom was decent, and the backrest reclined slightly for added comfort. The dashboard was well-organized, with large climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. The RAV4 Hybrid offered 1,059 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded. Storage solutions included dashboard shelves and door panel bottle holders, enhancing practicality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, both supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen included SiriusXM satellite radio and a JBL premium audio system with dynamic navigation. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was generally effective, though it struggled with some commands. Camera-based technology included a 360-degree surround-view system and a camera rearview mirror.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard. New features included low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems were effective but could be smoother. The Odyssey received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The system was generally effective, though lane-tracing assist was occasionally intrusive. The RAV4 Hybrid received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS, except for its headlights, which only the Limited trim's adaptive front headlights rated as "Good."