2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was often recommended for families due to its practical features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing seats, and its comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents without hassle. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed. Despite its practical design, the Odyssey's image as a minivan deterred some buyers, although its styling, especially in the Elite trim with dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, added a touch of flair.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and fresh alloy wheels. The top-of-the-line Signature trim had body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort. Mazda also restructured its trim levels, introducing the 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo models, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive only, unlike some competitors that offered all-wheel drive or hybrid options. The Odyssey had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, it averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey was praised for its quick acceleration, responsive handling, and overall driving enjoyment, although its brakes tended to overheat on long descents, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model offered a turbocharged engine with up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas, with an EPA estimate of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were improved for 2022, offering a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride with reduced body roll and enhanced grip.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a low step-in height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's storage space was impressive, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area offered 32.8 cubic feet of space, expandable to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats with new, more comfortable furnishings. The driving position was sportier, and the front passenger seat was height-adjustable in all but the base trim. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout was less intuitive due to the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Storage space was limited, with a small center armrest bin and adequate cargo space of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto starting with the EX trim. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. The Touring and Elite trims also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear-seat entertainment system, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice recognition capabilities.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system required the use of center console and steering wheel controls, lacking natural voice recognition. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety features lacked refinement, sometimes responding too sharply or abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 included the i-Activsense package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a driver monitoring system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's safety features operated mostly in the background, making them more likely to be used. It also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.