2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor, appealing to those who preferred a traditional small crossover design. Its upright layout offered a commanding view of the road, while the interior boasted a modern and attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with every button and dial easily accessible. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey maintained the classic minivan design ethos but added a touch of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level, which topped the lineup, featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Odyssey's interior was designed with family comfort in mind, offering quality materials and a classic open-concept layout. Despite its minivan roots, the Odyssey provided a sense of style and practicality, making it a popular choice for families.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, which felt underwhelming in both city and highway driving. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims featured a more robust 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Tucson's ride was comfortable and refined, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. Towing capacity varied from 1,500 pounds with the base engine to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades could lead to pedal vibration and audible grumbling, especially when the van was fully loaded.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided adequate space for weekend trips or larger items. The Tucson's interior was comfortable, with solid front-seat headroom and legroom, and supportive seats for long journeys. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured numerous storage compartments and trays for convenience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. It provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, with a well in the floor to prevent items from rolling out. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to a massive 144.9 cubic feet. The Odyssey's interior featured quality leather, supportive seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats offered flexibility for families, allowing for easy access to the third row or better protection in side-impact collisions.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with all available technology, but its infotainment features were becoming outdated compared to rivals. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring and Elite trims added navigation, HondaLink connected services, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks. The Odyssey's embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.