2020 Honda Pilot vs 2019 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant departure from Subaru's previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike its predecessor, the Ascent was a well-rounded vehicle with bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and advanced infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Its design featured a commanding presence with pronounced fenders and an imposing grille, reminiscent of a scaled-up Subaru Forester. Inside, the Ascent offered a spacious cabin with options for either a 7-passenger layout with captain's chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a bench seat. The trims ranged from Base to Touring, each adding more features and luxury, such as leather seating, heated seats, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the Honda lineup, with thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel and a spacious, comfortable interior. While some hard plastics were present, the Pilot offered an adult-friendly third row, unlike many of its competitors. The trim levels ranged from LX to the Black Edition, each adding more features like leather upholstery, power liftgate, and advanced infotainment systems. The Pilot was designed for family hauling, with plenty of space for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The CVT featured a manual tap-shift function with simulated gears, providing a responsive driving experience. The Ascent offered impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds when equipped with a tow-prep package. Its fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with slight variations for higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims featured a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims came with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips. It also featured Honda's Intelligent Traction Management System, offering drive modes for various conditions. The Pilot's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, making it suitable for real-world driving scenarios.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered generous interior space, with ample legroom and headroom in the first and second rows. The third row was tighter, suitable for children or short trips. The Ascent excelled in cargo space, providing 47 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86 cubic feet with all rear seats down, surpassing many competitors. It also featured 19 cupholders, enhancing its practicality for road trips.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while higher trims offered captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and the EX trims and higher featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offered 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with its rivals. The Pilot was designed for family use, with ample storage and convenience features, including a conversation mirror for monitoring rear passengers.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-use menus and physical controls. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon stereo, panoramic moonroof, and navigation.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen, while other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Display Audio system, however, had a confusing layout and lacked a tuning knob. Higher trims offered additional features like HD Radio, SiriusXM, and a premium audio system. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims included navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and mobile hotspot capability.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came with a full array of airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology was standard across all trims, offering pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Standard safety features included airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS.