2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey carried a familiar design with minor tweaks aimed at modernizing its appearance. Notably, the Odyssey featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across trims, and a fresh gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trims, adding a touch of flair. These changes reduced the use of brightwork, giving the Odyssey a more contemporary look.

Five trim levels were offered: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. Notably, colors like Deep Scarlet Pearl and Platinum White Pearl required an additional $395, which was a departure from the previous year when they were offered at no extra cost.

The test vehicle, clad in Lunar Silver Metallic, featured the Elite trim, priced at $48,940 after destination charges. The 2021 Odyssey Elite offered perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and tri-color floor mats. The 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, along with a toned-down chrome treatment, aligned the Odyssey Elite closer to the luxurious standards of its Acura counterparts.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum epitomized luxury within its lineup. It sat alongside a series of trims: XL STX, XLT, Limited, and King Ranch. Prices started at $50,595, and the Platinum trim came in at $74,375 MSRP. Upgrading to the extended-length Expedition MAX required an additional $2,000 but added significant cargo space.

The test Expedition Platinum sported Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, an electronic limited-slip differential, and second-row captain’s chairs, bringing the total to $80,510. Features like power-deploying running boards and an intricately detailed chrome grille, complemented by 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, ensured that the Expedition Platinum made a striking visual impact.

However, using the Expedition to transport six people and their luggage presented a challenge, as its cargo space was insufficient compared to a minivan like the Odyssey. Although the extended-length MAX model would have remedied this, the shorter version struggled with storage space behind the third-row seat.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey maintained its established drivetrain—a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, generating 280 horsepower. This front-wheel-drive setup facilitated smooth, effortless power distribution. The transmission featured Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes and paddle shifters. The engine’s variable cylinder management technology aimed at fuel efficiency, with the EPA rating it at 22 mpg in combined driving, and actual testing showed an average of 21.8 mpg.

The Odyssey lacked an all-wheel-drive option, putting it at a disadvantage compared to competitors like Chrysler and Toyota, which offered AWD versions of their minivans. However, the Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster in 2021, enhancing adaptive cruise control and brake pedal feel. The braking system, while generally competent, struggled under high-stress conditions, highlighting a need for potential upgrades.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford Expedition offered strong performance with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, while the Platinum trim offered a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The Expedition’s towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the configuration, with Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist facilitating easy trailer maneuvering.

The Expedition’s adaptive damping suspension and 22-inch wheels provided a comfortable ride, albeit less cushioned than preferred due to the tire’s shorter sidewalls. This SUV averaged 17.1 mpg in combined driving conditions. While the Expedition excelled on pavement, its off-road capability was enhanced in XLT and Limited trims with the FX4 Off-Road Package, which included improved engine cooling, skid plates, and Terrain Management driving modes.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered an intuitive and functional interior. The instrumentation was legible, controls were logical, and storage was ample. Notable highlights included a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat on all trims except the base LX, and standard features like a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats in the Elite trim.

One downside was the absence of a tuning knob for the stereo, which hindered usability. Nevertheless, the Magic Slide second-row seat layout added versatility, allowing for various seating configurations and ease of access to the third row. Cargo space was considerable, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, despite the inconvenience of physically removing these seats for maximum cargo capacity.

The 2021 Ford Expedition boasted spacious and comfortable seating for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension contributed to an overall smooth ride. Storage was abundant, and the Expedition featured power-deploying running boards and a high liftover height for the cargo floor. Cargo space in the regular Expedition ranged from 19.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat to 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Expedition MAX model offered greater cargo space, from 34.3 cubic feet with the third-row seat up to 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

Despite its substantial space, the Expedition’s cargo volume still fell short compared to most minivans in terms of overall capacity.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey provided an extensive suite of technology, especially from the EX trim upwards. Features included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and HD Radio. Higher trims added premium features such as a navigation system, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen and built-in streaming apps.

Touring and Elite trims offered advanced HondaLink subscription services, such as Security, Remote, and Concierge plans, with varying free trial periods. The lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks, detracting from an otherwise robust tech package.

The 2021 Ford Expedition utilized the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display that was user-friendly despite its age and sometimes sluggish response. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, and optional 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While Ford’s voice recognition system saw improvements, it still required specific commands for complex tasks.

The tested Expedition included a Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging, but it lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. Although the infotainment system was adequate, it faced competition from newer, more advanced tech systems on the market.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey enhanced its safety features with standard Honda Sensing across all trims, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS was anticipated due to the inclusion of LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist. The Odyssey achieved high ratings from the NHTSA, with top five-star ratings except for rollover resistance, which received a four-star score.

While the 2021 Ford Expedition hadn’t been crash-tested by the IIHS, it garnered a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. However, its rollover resistance received three stars for RWD and four stars for 4WD models. Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.