2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Honda Pilot took inspiration from the dynamic styling of the rest of its Honda lineup. This SUV featured thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille, accompanied by a subtle uptick in the beltline around the rear side windows, which masked its size, giving it a sleek appearance despite its bulk. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, where fuel and engine-temperature gauges retained traditional analog form while other information was displayed digitally in front of the driver. The cabin offered comfort and ample space, with a decent level of refinement marred slightly by the prevalence of hard plastics. This was particularly so when compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Mazda CX-9, which had more upscale interiors.

Trim-wise, the Honda Pilot started with the LX trim, which included basics like 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, and power windows. Moving up to the EX trim, it added conveniences like remote start, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto along with tri-zone climate control and heated front seats. The EX-L introduced leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a power moonroof. The Touring trim kicked it up a notch with 20-inch wheels and blue ambient lighting, while the Elite trim added even more luxury features like a massive panoramic sunroof and heated steering wheel. The top-tier Black Edition incorporated unique black styling elements and nearly all features from the Elite trim.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations with respective designations tied to their engines. The 45 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, while the 55 TFSI came with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A new performance-tuned SQ7 variant with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also available. We examined the 55 TFSI, which started at $60,800 and featured design changes that aligned more closely with the flagship Q8 model.

The upgraded Q7 had new front and rear styling, along with new wheels and lighting elements, improving its aesthetic appeal. The interior mirrored the high-tech Q8, with most physical controls substituted with three digital displays. The test Q7's cabin shone with Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, enhanced further at night with multi-color ambient lighting. However, the Q7's digital screens, though modern, were prone to be dust and fingerprint magnets.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the trim, power delivery was handled by either a 6-speed automatic or a more refined 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The V6 provided robust acceleration and easily handled highway merging and passing, though it wasn’t the leader in its segment. Honda’s proprietary shifter buttons replaced a traditional shifter, resulting in a cumbersome experience. Ride quality was comfortable, designed for smooth commutes and road trips, yet it lacked any real sportiness. The Intelligent Traction Management System allowed drivers to switch between Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes for varying conditions, although it wasn't designed for serious off-roading.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, including a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to enhance fuel efficiency. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, pushed the Q7 from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 5.7 seconds. The SUV boasted a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and had an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined, with real-world results close to 21 mpg. On-road, the Q7’s adaptive air suspension and multiple drive modes provided a varied and engaging driving experience, from city agility to spirited mountain driving. The cabin remained exceptionally quiet thanks to dual-pane acoustic side windows, enhancing the overall luxury feel.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a cavernous interior that could accommodate up to eight passengers, with second-row bench seating standard. Higher trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. Unlike some competitors, the Pilot’s third-row seats were genuinely suitable for adult passengers. The second and third rows folded to offer 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, making it competitive within its class, although it fell slightly short compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent. Honda's utilization of space was intelligent, with numerous compartments for family essentials, mirroring its minivan roots. Features like a power liftgate and a hands-free tailgate on higher trims added practical convenience.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7’s third row was much more restrictive, primarily suitable for children. When used, second-row seats needed to be slid forward to accommodate this seating, significantly reducing cargo space. With the third row folded, it expanded to 35.7 cubic feet and maxed out at 69.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. While comfortable for five adult passengers, the Q7 failed in practical storage, offering limited space for personal items due to design choices that prioritized technology and upscale materials. However, features like four-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, and a panoramic sunroof enhanced the overall comfort experience.

The base 2020 Honda Pilot LX came with a 5-inch color LCD screen operating a basic 215-watt stereo system. More sophisticated trims featured Honda’s Display Audio 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system’s layout and interface left much to be desired, with a lack of tuning knobs and a confusing touch interface. The higher trims added features like HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Cabin Control Remote Capability, an optional rear-seat entertainment system, and in certain trims, a 590-watt premium audio system. Mobile hotspot capability and wireless charging were available in the Elite and Black Edition trims. Despite the array of features, the infotainment system's usability was frequently criticized.

By contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the advanced MMI Touch Response technology with dual touchscreens—an upper 10.1-inch and a lower 8.6-inch display. It provided access to a plethora of SUV's systems, incorporating natural voice recognition and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. However, usage was sometimes hampered by unresponsive virtual buttons due to dry fingertips. Additionally, while polarized sunglasses rendered the head-up display invisible, the overall system was intuitive and comprehensive once set up. The standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot supported remote working and virtual learning, turning the Q7 into a mobile office. The Prestige trim, in addition to high-tech features, had a Bose premium sound system, although future models replaced it with a superior Bang & Olufsen system.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was replete with the HondaSensing suite, offering a comprehensive set of driver-assistance features including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Standard safety equipment included front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control, with optional front and rear parking sensors as well as blind-spot monitoring. It received a five-star overall crash test rating from NHTSA and top scores from IIHS in crash prevention technologies.

For the 2020 Audi Q7, the HD Matrix LED headlights offered remarkable illumination, though IIHS rated them poorly for glare issues. The ADAS suite included Emergency Assist and Turn Assist along with Adaptive Cruise Assist, which sometimes misinterpreted relevant traffic signs. Active Lane Assist also proved finicky in certain conditions. Yet, in overall collision protection, the Q7 received top ratings from IIHS, barring the headlight-related deductions.