2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made loading children into car seats a breeze, and the spacious third-row seat provided comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey managed to incorporate a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality interior materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over from the previous year with minor updates and a simplified lineup. The Atlas featured a bold, boxy design with standard R-Line elements on the SEL Premium trim, including 21-inch wheels. While the interior design was simple and premium-looking, the use of hard, shiny plastics detracted from the overall quality. The Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, but the materials used did not match the SUV's price point.

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, with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, its brakes tended to overheat and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, was recommended for its towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, despite its lack of refinement and lower fuel economy of 19.6 mpg in combined driving. The Atlas featured multiple driving modes and an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, but its ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces and noticeable body float on undulating pavement.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space 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.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with its V-Tex leatherette seating and heated front seats, offered a comfortable and spacious interior. Higher trims added features like tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas excelled in cargo space, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, many storage areas were unlined, leading to unwanted noise from items sliding around.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk technologies. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display standard and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims included the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL Premium R-Line trim added a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and voice command functionality was limited without a subscription to the Car-Net Hotspot plan.

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. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems lacked refinement, and the blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly placed. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a surround-view camera system and Park Assist technology. However, the Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings, and the parking sensors were overly sensitive. The Atlas received four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.