2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with a style that built upon a decade-long theme, presenting a familiar yet slightly modernized look. For this model year, Honda introduced a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trim levels, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert extending across the taillights. These changes helped reduce the brightwork, providing a more contemporary vibe. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trims, and the Elite trim showcased perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ambient dashboard lighting, and tri-color floor mats, which were functional in hiding dirt.

Customers had the option of choosing from five trim levels, from the base LX to the luxurious Elite. Price points ranged from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. Notably, paint options such as Deep Scarlet Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, Pacific Pewter Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl required an additional $395, a departure from the previous year when these colors were included without extra cost. Our test model, a Lunar Silver Metallic Odyssey Elite, came with 19-inch wheels featuring Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, signaling a move towards a more polished aesthetic akin to an Acura minivan.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda CR-V did not stand out in its crowded compact crossover market segment. The overall styling was similar to most other crossovers, with minor distinctions like the grille opening and occasional chrome accents. Honda offered the CR-V in eight colors, but many were varying shades of gray, black, and white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic reserved for higher trims. Inventory checks often revealed a shortage of these more interesting colors, highlighting availability challenges.

The CR-V’s interior colors matched the exterior with options in black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim. The upper trims featured wood panels and additional chrome for enriched aesthetics. Compared to some of its competitors, like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, the CR-V's modernity in seat design and dash layout was noted, albeit not necessarily enough to sway buyers focused on distinctive style.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey maintained its combination of a 3.5-liter V6 engine and ten-speed automatic transmission from previous years, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission's Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters, though rarely used, were standard. Its fuel-saving technology, allowing the engine to operate on fewer cylinders in certain conditions, helped achieve an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined, with our testing delivering 21.8 mpg.

While the Odyssey suffered from the lack of an all-wheel-drive option, a significant drawback in snow-prone areas compared to AWD-equipped Chrysler and Toyota minivans, it boasted enhancements like a new electronic brake booster. This feature supported stop-and-go low-speed following in the adaptive cruise control system and improved brake feel and response. However, during intense driving, the brakes exhibited quick heating, rumbling, and fade, particularly on downgrades, suggesting a need for more robust braking components.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda CR-V was powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding hybrids. This setup enabled an approximate 0-60 mph acceleration of 7.8 seconds, placing it in a competitive performance range without excelling. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) prioritized smoothness over engagement, a contrast to the more traditional transmissions available in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an optional upgrade, similar to most compact crossovers except the Subaru Forester, which provided standard AWD. The suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, aligned with industry norms, delivering decent handling and ride quality without surprises.

Entering the 2021 Honda Odyssey revealed a well-organized interior with easy-to-read instrumentation and logical controls, although it missed a tuning knob for the stereo, complicating operation. The vehicle featured a comfortable 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat in all trims except the base LX, with the Elite trim adding a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage space excelled with generous compartments, though the wireless smartphone charger in the Elite trim occupied some valuable space.

The Odyssey’s second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating and cargo configurations, accommodating wide, buddy, and super modes. While supportive, these seats had non-adjustable armrests, and users had to physically remove the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume. In contrast, the CR-V interior emphasized practicality, boasting 102.9 cubic feet of passenger space, surpassing the Toyota RAV4. With seats folded, it offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The CR-V provided various tailgate options depending on the trim, from manual to hands-free power tailgate in the Touring trim. Additionally, roof rails came standard only on the highest trim, unlike competitors like Subaru, which offered them more broadly.

Starting from the EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, and a Cabin Control app. Higher trims added a navigation system, WiFi capabilities, HondaLink services, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Elite trim boasted an 11-speaker premium sound system, wireless charging, and a rear-seat entertainment system with built-in streaming apps.

Despite the wealth of technology, the Odyssey’s infotainment suffered from the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology. Conversely, the 2021 Honda CR-V offered limited technology in the base LX with a 5-inch color screen but included a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims. Audio systems varied by trim, ranging from a 180-watt system in lower trims to a 300-watt system with subwoofers in the Touring trim.

Charging ports were plentiful in the CR-V, including USB ports and a wireless charger in the Touring trim. However, the inclusion of a satellite navigation system was exclusive to this top trim.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety suite by making Honda Sensing standard across all trims, adding new capabilities like low-speed follow for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a Honda Sensing menu button. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning. While the Odyssey’s adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning could be more refined, it earned consistent high marks from safety ratings, including top NHTSA scores and the expectation of regaining its IIHS Top Safety Pick status.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning five-star NHTSA and IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings, though slightly lower scores in headlight evaluations and LATCH ease of use affected its highest accolades. Honda’s strategy to standardize advanced safety features across all trims was commendable, providing essential technology like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.