2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Honda Pilot

In 2020, the Acura MDX presented itself as a commendable looking crossover SUV. While its design was not groundbreaking or breathtaking, it assuredly blended in without drawing unnecessary attention or evoking strong negative reactions. Its overall appearance was a harmonious blend that didn't displease nor particularly amaze. The vehicle’s front was adorned with Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which, consisting of five LED elements per side, added both functionality and a touch of class to the front end. These headlights flanked a trapezoidal grille featuring a prominent Acura logo, creating an expressive face. The MDX's exterior was sleek and low-slung for a three-row SUV, marked by chiseled details and a fast roofline, further enhanced by flawless paint and chrome work, a consistent Acura strength.

Inside, the Acura MDX emphasized modern simplicity over the padding and stitching that characterized many luxury interiors. The center stack stood out with dual infotainment screens: an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation situated above a touchscreen and a row of buttons centered by a large command wheel. The materials utilized in the interior exhibited high quality and an authoritative feel, contributing to the MDX’s solid and well-built impression.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot’s design strove to blend ruggedness with modern styles, a goal more aggressively pursued with its 2019 facelift and the addition of the 2020 Black Edition trim, which introduced a popular blacked-out aesthetic. Despite these efforts, the Pilot's overall exterior design remained an acquired taste. The Pilot was available in seven trims, from the base LX to the high-end Black Edition, providing a range of options priced between $32,250 and $49,920. The Black Edition distinguished itself with black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and vibrant red accents inside.

The interior of the Black Edition was decked out with black leather upholstery featuring red-tinted perforations, contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. While the white paint option was a new and welcome addition, the black floor mats, known for their propensity to cling to pet hair, remained. The Pilot’s cabin was characterized by quality materials, stretching to the hard plastic panels, and an arrangement that mimicked that of a minivan, especially with its flat dashboard and inboard armrests, although this did not necessarily work in its favor concerning aesthetic appeal.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered buyers two powertrain options. The first was a 3.5-liter V6 engine with direct injection and variable valve timing, producing a commendable 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The second option, available in the MDX Sport Hybrid, combined a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors, resulting in a total system power of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

In practice, the gasoline-only MDX with SH-AWD exhibited solid performance with smooth and enthusiastic acceleration. The transmission was remarkably well-behaved, delivering timely shifts with the selection of either Comfort or Sport modes. The SH-AWD, with its torque-vectoring technology, enhanced control particularly in cornering by directing power to the outside wheel, ensuring sharper turn-ins and improved handling without drama or instability, even during aggressive accelerations from a standstill.

The Honda Pilot of 2021 housed a singular 3.5-liter V6 engine across its lineup, which generated 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, sufficient to keep the driving experience lively. This engine was coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels or, in models equipped with the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel. The inclusion of Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management, featuring multiple driving modes, further enhanced its handling capabilities.

The Pilot demonstrated a comfortable ride quality complemented by unexpectedly nimble handling, thanks in part to its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems, as well as the torque-vectoring AWD. Equipped with 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition, it showcased athleticism and solid steering feedback. However, the brakes tended to heat up and exhibit vibration during extensive use. Off-road, the Pilot’s capability was limited by its ground clearance of 7.3 inches and all-season tires, suggesting it was more at home on paved surfaces than rugged terrain.

The 2020 Acura MDX proved to be a practical choice for families with its three-row seating configuration, accommodating up to seven passengers. Sliding and reclining second-row seats facilitated easy entry and exit from the third row, while adjustable legroom between rows catered to different needs. Headroom was ample across all three rows. When it came to cargo, the MDX offered 15.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding these seats flat expanded the capacity to 43.4 cubic feet, and folding the second row opened up a substantial 90.9 cubic feet. Additional storage solutions included a recessed cubby hole and an underfloor compartment for concealed items. The front cabin featured a spacious glove box, a flexible center console with USB and power jacks, and door pockets for water bottles.

The 2021 Honda Pilot similarly aimed at family usability, providing seating for up to eight with the option of second-row captain’s chairs in higher trims. The front seats, wrapped in leather in the tested Black Edition, were both heated and ventilated, offering 10-way power adjustment for the driver but only four-way for the front passenger. The second-row seats were nearly as comfortable as the front, with options for heating and tri-zone climate control, alongside entertainment connectivity. The third-row, while sufficient for short trips, lacked long-term comfort due to its low cushion.

Cargo capacity in the Pilot started at 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. Maximum cargo volume was slightly less than the MDX at 83.9 cubic feet. The Pilot also featured an array of storage solutions, including door panel cutouts, center console compartments, and convenient front seatback smartphone pockets.

Acura’s approach with the 2020 MDX involved packing most of the vehicle’s advanced tech into distinct packages. The base model came well-equipped with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, text messaging capabilities, and an eight-speaker audio system, to name a few. Stepping up to the Technology Package added rain-sensing wipers, navigation, Acura Real-Time Traffic, GPS-linked climate control, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package, costing an additional $6,750, introduced a slew of amenities including the Active Damper System, heated and ventilated seats, a surround-view camera, and more. An Entertainment Package, available for $2,000 with the Technology or Advance Packages, featured a DVD rear entertainment system with either a 9.0-inch or 16.2-inch screen and additional speakers.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered a comparable range of tech options, particularly in higher trims. Most models included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The new Special Edition trim introduced wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim featured navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI ports and Cabin Talk. The Pilot’s technology suite, while sufficient, had room for improvement in terms of screen size and user interface smoothness, as voice-recognition required specific prompts for successful operation.

In terms of safety, both vehicles were well-equipped. The 2020 Acura MDX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features in higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and Head-Up Warning. The MDX's robust structure, called Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), aimed to absorb crash impact efficiently to protect occupants. It earned strong safety ratings from IIHS (good in most categories, superior for front crash prevention) and NHTSA (five-star overall rating).

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing as standard across all trims, encompassing adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety tech, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, was included from the EX trim onwards. While effective, Honda Sensing’s older iteration was somewhat less refined in its operation. The Pilot received good safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell slightly short in some frontal impact and headlight evaluations.