2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, showcasing a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. It was based on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. The ID.4’s interior design blended Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1St Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4 didn’t quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, and the adaptive cruise control now included a stop-and-go low-speed following capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were pleasurable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during heavy use in a heatwave.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4’s handling was balanced, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor provided instantaneous torque, making acceleration fun. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard on all but the base LX trim, with the Elite trim adding a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not have a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The center console was narrow, offering limited storage for larger items, though there were plenty of places to store a phone.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features like automatic collision notification and remote operation of the engine and door locks. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were 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 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. The touchpads were difficult to use without looking, and the control setup required relearning simple tasks. The natural-language voice-control system responded to the prompt “Hello ID” and allowed for commands like adjusting the temperature or changing radio stations, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature communicated information through a light strip at the base of the windshield. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) became standard on all trims, with new features like low-speed follow capability for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS and received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The ADAS worked accurately but could apply uneven braking and had a lane-departure warning system that wobbled the steering wheel.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and five out of five stars from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, which brought the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.