2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The interior was upgraded with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more luxurious feel. The Odyssey's design changes aimed to reduce brightwork and elevate its status as a premium minivan.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, resembling more of a rugged SUV. It boasted 23 centimetres of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The Wilderness stood out with its unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, Gunmetal Gray trim, and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was designed to inject personality and purpose into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking adventure.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower. It offered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Wilderness achieved fuel efficiency of 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway, averaging 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback's CVT, while functional, lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch transmission. The Wilderness excelled off-road with its all-wheel drive, 23 cm ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. It offered improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior with logical controls and ample storage. It featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in higher trims. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior was designed for comfort and functionality, catering to families with its flexible seating and storage options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which was practical but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the rear seat provided ample head and legroom. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping. The interior was designed for adventure, with waterproof materials and practical storage solutions.

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

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better alternatives. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was surprising given its target demographic. The infotainment system was functional but could benefit from enhancements in sound quality and user interface.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of rollover resistance. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though some features could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness retained the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.