2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to modernize its decade-old styling theme. The new model year introduced a redesigned 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 upscale look. The interior saw improvements with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey's appeal as a luxurious family vehicle. Despite these updates, the Odyssey maintained its reputation as a practical and stylish minivan, offering a range of trim levels and pricing options.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged, adventure-ready design, staying true to its roots as a traditional SUV with a strong connection to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. The 4Runner's high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its off-road capabilities. Inside, the cabin reflected its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 4Runner offered various trim levels, including Trail, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, each catering to different preferences and needs. Standard features included a power-sliding rear window, satellite radio, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Limited package added a third row of seating and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. This combination delivered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes such as 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. While all-wheel drive was unavailable, the Odyssey featured an electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were well-balanced, offering a pleasurable driving experience, though the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with low range. While the engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with noticeable body roll and jostling over bumps. However, off-road, the suspension excelled, absorbing rough terrain with ease. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner's towing capacity was up to 2,268 kilograms, surpassing most car-based crossovers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and well-organized interior, with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The Odyssey's 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 with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in their fold-flat design.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model reduced maximum cargo space to 2,514 litres, with 1,311 litres behind the second row and 254 litres behind the rear seats. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-operated rear window for easy access to the cargo area. While the cabin was not as spacious as more modern SUVs, it provided ample storage for gear and equipment.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Touring trim included 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 notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons and dials for easy operation, especially when wearing gloves. While it lacked advanced features like a head-up display, the system covered the basics and complemented the 4Runner's analog driving style. Navigation and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available as upgrades.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for most crash tests. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were only available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense, which included forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The 4Runner earned four stars for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing from the NHTSA. It was backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.