2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that we often recommended to families due to its practical features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, and its comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents or carpool kids 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 the minivan stigma, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and kinked sliding doors that added character to its design.

Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured leather upholstery, a low console between the front seats, and a center stack with easily accessible controls. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows provided excellent visibility, enhancing the driving experience. The Odyssey's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering plenty of storage space and a user-friendly layout. However, the minivan's infotainment system was somewhat outdated compared to its competitors, and the safety features, while comprehensive, lacked refinement.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent, particularly in the new Onyx Edition trim, offered a sporty appearance with blacked-out exterior trim, badges, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. The Onyx Edition also featured water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. Priced at $37,995, the Onyx Edition included options like a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover for an additional $2,000. The Ascent's styling was subjective, but the blacked-out treatment gave it a distinct look.

Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition had a gray two-tone StarTex upholstery with light gray stitching and metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. While the StarTex material was water-resistant, it tended to trap sweat, making it uncomfortable on hot days. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with plenty of storage space and a shelf running the width of the dashboard. However, the third-row seats were best suited for children, as taller adults found them uncomfortable. The Ascent's cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls and front-wheel drive. 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. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey's brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during downhill driving, its overall driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, responsive handling, and remarkable composure on various road types.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 22 mpg combined. During testing, the Ascent averaged 20.5 mpg. The Ascent's flat-four engine layout contributed to a lower center of gravity, improving handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance provided off-roading capability. However, the Ascent's brakes could heat up and fade during enthusiastic driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Odyssey Elite featured quality leather seats, power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan provided ample storage space, including shelving in the front door panels and a handy floor tray. 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, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third-row seats were best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second row was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. The Ascent provided plenty of storage space, including a useful shelf running the width of the dashboard. Cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

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 Odyssey Touring and Elite also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear-seat camera system, and an in-vehicle public address system. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display screen, HDMI inputs, and a USB port. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and a lack of a tuning knob for the stereo.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent in base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. The Ascent's voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands for accurate responses. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance features including 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 lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, automatic high-beam assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert on Premium trim and higher.