2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan designed with families in mind. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey also offered a comfortable third-row seat, making it ideal for carpooling or family trips with grandparents. With ample cargo space, the Odyssey could transform into a cargo hauler by folding down the third-row seat and removing the second-row seats. Despite its practical design, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a luxury SUV that aimed to impress with its black-on-black aesthetic. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome from the exterior, giving it a sleek, modern look. However, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin was crafted with high-quality materials and offered a quiet ride, thanks to the smooth V8 engine. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This front-wheel-drive minivan used a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls on the dashboard. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey offered an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey was quick to merge onto freeways and responsive in corners, but its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivered 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX featured a six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system. Despite its hefty curb weight of 5,126 pounds, the GX managed an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it returned 16.8 mpg. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, but the steering was slow and heavy, making parking a chore.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a low ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, making it easier to tend to children or create a pass-through to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and triple-zone automatic climate control. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry difficult. The third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space when in use. With the third-row seat stowed, the GX offered 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and folding the second-row seat increased it to 64.7 cubic feet. The side-swinging tailgate made loading cumbersome, especially in tight spaces.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, and CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, but it felt outdated. The Elite trim also featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to use and offered a dual-screen view. The GX also included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services. However, the placement of the stereo controls below the off-roading controls was inconvenient. The voice recognition technology was quick and accurate, and the GX offered optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety features could be overly sensitive and abrupt. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors. The absence of these features might appeal to some drivers who prefer fewer driving aids.