2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited a dynamic styling that aligned with the contemporary Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot offered a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog gauges for fuel and engine temperature with a digital screen for other information. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, though it used hard plastics in many areas, which detracted from its overall refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse embraced a more traditional SUV aesthetic with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a large grille. While its exterior was considered generic, it was clean and handsome, appealing to buyers seeking a classic SUV look. The Traverse differentiated its trim levels through styling details, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. Inside, the Traverse maintained a restrained styling, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. The materials in the RS trim were decent, though not quite justifying its price tag.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 9-speed offered smoother acceleration and potentially better fuel economy. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System provided drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability slightly.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the Traverse's powertrain didn't feel as strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed transmission performed well, though it occasionally delivered rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, its AWD system required manual activation and didn't significantly enhance handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for the segment.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious cabin with seating for up to eight passengers, or seven with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims. Its third row was adult-friendly, and the EX trim and above featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. The Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, slightly less than some competitors but more than the Mazda CX-9. Higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate. The Pilot excelled in family-friendly features, with ample storage and a conversation mirror for monitoring rear passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the seating configuration. It offered above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The Traverse boasted impressive cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. Despite its size, the Traverse had limited interior storage options, typical of midsize crossovers, making it less practical than a minivan for carrying people and cargo.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's base LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen, while higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system, however, was criticized for its confusing layout and lack of a tuning knob. All but the LX trim offered HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. Navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium audio system were available on higher trims, with wireless charging standard on the Elite and Black Edition.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a Bose audio system. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. It also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard for all rows, but wireless charging was only available on the Premier and High Country trims.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" score from the IIHS, with a "Superior" rating for crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking available only on higher trims.