2022 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a spacious and comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups with ease. Its cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded or removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style, particularly in the Touring trim with its dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was a compact SUV that embraced a more traditional design while incorporating electric vehicle elements. It retained the familiar shape of its gasoline counterpart, with subtle differences like a solid grille panel and unique badging. The XC40's Scandinavian design sensibility was evident in its airy and roomy cabin, featuring harmonious lines and premium materials. The Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights and floating roof illusion added to its visual appeal. Overall, the XC40 Recharge was a luxury SUV that combined style with functionality, offering a seamless transition to electric driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge, on the other hand, was an all-electric vehicle with a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack powering two electric motors for all-wheel drive. It boasted 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 Recharge featured regenerative braking and one-pedal driving, enhancing energy efficiency. Its low centre of gravity improved handling, and it offered a range of 359 kilometres on a full charge. The XC40 Recharge's fuel efficiency was rated at 2.8 Le/100 km combined, with fast-charging capabilities for added convenience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a low ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The minivan offered ample storage space, including a centre console tray and various cubbies. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, while the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed, making it ideal for family trips and hauling large items.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge excelled in form and function, offering clever storage solutions and comfort features. It had a front trunk for additional storage, along with ample cabin cubbies and USB ports. The front seats were comfortable, while the rear seats were suitable for two passengers. The XC40 Recharge provided up to 1,628 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms. Its compact size made it versatile for urban driving while still offering practicality for everyday use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with a range of technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered CabinWatch and CabinTalk for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, lacking a larger screen and advanced voice recognition. The navigation system required specific commands and was less intuitive than smartphone-based options.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was loaded with tech, featuring a 9.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It ran on the Android Automotive operating system, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store. The XC40 Recharge supported over-the-air updates for both infotainment and vehicle software. However, its range display showed a percentage of charge rather than remaining kilometres, which could cause range anxiety. Despite this, the XC40 Recharge offered a comprehensive and modern tech package.

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

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured an extensive list of safety equipment, including collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and a high-strength protective cage for the battery. The XC40 Recharge also introduced a new sensor platform for enhanced safety features and Volvo’s Connected Safety system, which shared road condition data with other connected Volvo vehicles.