Compare the2022 Honda OdysseyVS 2020 Mercedes Metris Passenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Odyssey are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Honda Odyssey has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Odyssey has a standard Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Odyssey has standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Metris Passenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

To help make backing safer, the Odyssey EX/EX-L/Touring/Elite’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Odyssey Touring/Elite has standard HondaLink Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Odyssey and the Metris Passenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Warranty

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Odyssey 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the Metris Passenger. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Metris Passenger ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

The Odyssey’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Metris Passenger runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Odyssey’s warranty.

Reliability

The engine in the Odyssey has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Metris Passenger has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey second among minivans in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Metris Passenger isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 15 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Engine

The Odyssey’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 72 more horsepower (280 vs. 208) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Metris Passenger’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Odyssey gets better fuel mileage than the Metris Passenger (19 city/28 hwy vs. 20 city/24 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Odyssey’s fuel efficiency. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Odyssey uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Metris Passenger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Odyssey has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Metris Passenger (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Odyssey has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Odyssey, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Metris Passenger.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Odyssey’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Metris Passenger:

	Odyssey	Metris Passenger
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Odyssey has larger tires than the Metris Passenger (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R17).

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Odyssey has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Metris Passenger. The Odyssey Touring/Elite has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Odyssey has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Odyssey has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Odyssey flat and controlled during cornering. The Metris Passenger’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

Chassis

The Honda Odyssey may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Mercedes Metris Passenger.

The front grille of the Odyssey uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Odyssey uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Odyssey has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 5.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more third row legroom than the Metris Passenger.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Odyssey’s middle and third row seats recline. The Metris Passenger’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Odyssey’s cargo area provides more volume than the Metris Passenger.

	Odyssey	Metris Passenger
Behind Third Seat	38.6 cubic feet	38 cubic feet

The Odyssey’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Elite has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Odyssey Elite, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Ergonomics

The Odyssey EX/EX-L/Touring/Elite has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Odyssey has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When three different drivers share the Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Elite, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Elite’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Odyssey’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Metris Passenger’s parking brake has to released manually.

The Odyssey’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them. Mercedes does not offer a locking feature on the Metris Passenger’s standard power windows.

Push Button Start standard on the Odyssey allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse (Odyssey EX/EX-L/Touring/Elite’s Smart Entry will also allow unlocking the doors and cargo door without taking your keys out). The Mercedes Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Odyssey’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Metris Passenger’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Odyssey has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Odyssey detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Odyssey has standard power remote mirrors. The Metris Passenger only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

When the Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Elite is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Metris Passenger’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Elite’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Odyssey Elite keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Odyssey Elite’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Odyssey EX/EX-L/Touring/Elite has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Odyssey has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is standard on the Odyssey Touring/Elite. The Odyssey’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a navigation system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Odyssey Elite has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Odyssey Touring/Elite has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Odyssey owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Odyssey will cost $1165 to $1875 less than the Metris Passenger over a five-year period.

The Odyssey will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Odyssey will retain 47.19% to 50.84% of its original price after five years, while the Metris Passenger only retains 46.29%.

Recommendations

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Honda Odyssey, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels. The Mercedes Metris Passenger isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Metris Passenger isn’t in the top three.