2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Kia Sorento

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 cargo space was impressive, offering ample room for gear and groceries, and its interior design was both functional and stylish, with quality leather upholstery and a user-friendly layout. Despite its practicality, the Odyssey's minivan image was a deterrent for some, though its design included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento presented a more rugged and stylish appearance, especially in the X-Line trim. This midsize SUV featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and robust roof rails, giving it a commanding presence. The Sorento's interior exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, and its cabin was well-constructed with attention to detail. While the Sorento's third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, its second-row captain's chairs offered comfort and convenience for families. The Sorento's design and features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and versatile SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This front-wheel-drive minivan used a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While it lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, the Odyssey offered a Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 10.4 L/100 km, showcasing its efficiency. However, the brakes exhibited pedal vibration and grumbling when descending hills, especially with a full load. Despite this, the Odyssey was quick and responsive, providing an enjoyable driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of engine options, with the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder being the most recommended. This engine produced 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The Sorento's turbo engine provided a lively driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.5 seconds. The SUV's suspension offered a balance of comfort and control, and its brakes performed well even under heavy use. Fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing, but the Sorento's performance and handling made it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Touring featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with various compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility for families, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey boasted 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and up to 3,984 litres with the second row removed.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with Burgundy leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the second-row captain's chairs offered comfort and convenience for families. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space was limited to 357 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,274 litres with the third row folded, and up to 2,139 litres with the second row down. The Sorento's smart power tailgate added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim also included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice recognition capabilities. A major upgrade was needed to keep up with competitors.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The system provided a user-friendly interface, though the graphics and colours might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento's voice recognition system was less effective than Hyundai's, and the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system was reserved for the SX trim. A wireless phone charger was standard on LX Premium trim and above.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The SUV's LED headlights received a Poor rating in Canada.