2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 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. The Odyssey offered a comfortable third-row seat, making it ideal for carpooling or family trips with grandparents. With its ample cargo space, the Odyssey could transform into a cargo hauler by folding down or removing seats, rivaling the capacity of larger SUVs. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey maintained a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels on the Touring trim. The interior was spacious, with leather upholstery and a user-friendly layout, although the switchgear placement seemed haphazard at first glance.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS, in contrast, exuded luxury and sophistication. Its design was more subtle than some of its flashier competitors, but it offered options for those seeking visual drama, such as the AMG GLS 63 with its muscular grille and 22-inch wheels. The Maybach version added chrome accents and power running boards for a more opulent look. Inside, the GLS provided a luxurious experience with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were seamlessly integrated, enhancing the cabin's modern feel. While the GLS 450's interior was understated, it still conveyed a sense of quality and refinement, making it a fitting choice for those seeking a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or a hybrid powertrain, resulting in a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and noise, especially when fully loaded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It was complemented by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which added 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. While the inline-six engine provided smooth and ample power, the air suspension's body control left room for improvement, as it exhibited excessive motion over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, slightly less than some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for versatile configurations, enhancing passenger safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey provided 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, while removing the second-row seats created a cavernous 3,984 litres of space.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide and fold for easy access to the third row, and the GLS offered competitive legroom thanks to its long wheelbase. Cargo space measured 355 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded. The GLS featured power-folding seats and a power tailgate for added convenience. However, some ergonomic issues, such as the touchscreen's reach and sun visor size, detracted from its overall functionality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring trim was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system felt outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command capabilities. The embedded navigation system was less intuitive than smartphone-based options, highlighting the need for an upgrade in future models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and voice recognition. It offered multiple control options, including a touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and the touchscreen itself. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, allowing for hands-free operation. The GLS also included augmented-reality navigation, although the embedded system occasionally suggested inefficient routes. The graphics were visually appealing, and the optional Burmester audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high beams and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or reacting too abruptly. The blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly positioned, and its radar coverage was limited. Despite these issues, the Odyssey received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also featured Crosswind Assist, lane-keep assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control and advanced driver-assistance systems. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.