2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the same dynamic styling as the rest of the current Honda lineup. It featured thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The subtle uptick in the belt-line around the rear side windows masked the size of the Pilot, making it look more svelte than it really was. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel. The fuel and engine-temperature gauges were analog, but all other information was displayed on a digital screen directly in front of the driver. The cabin felt comfortable and spacious, with a solid level of refinement, although hard plastics were used in many areas. Rivals like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Mazda CX-9 offered more upscale cabins.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a revised exterior. New standard LED headlights flanked the Pacifica’s new hexagonal grille, giving the front end a more muscular aesthetic. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp that ran the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge mounted at its center. Chrysler offered six new wheel designs for 2021 and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica aimed for a balance between practicality and luxury, especially in the new Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The cabin was designed to be both functional and premium, with a flat dashboard anchored by a largest-in-class 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to the front wheels (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX, EX, and EX-L trims came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 9-speed provided more refined 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 offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, enhancing its capability in various conditions.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, with AWD and the hybrid powertrain as options. The Limited and Pinnacle trims were available with either AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system was new for 2021 and activated on-demand based on driving conditions. The hybrid model offered an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offered 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to rivals like the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot had more cargo capacity than the Mazda CX-9 but less than the Volkswagen Atlas. Higher trims included a power liftgate and a hands-free power tailgate. The Pilot was designed for family hauling, with plenty of storage spaces and a conversation mirror to keep an eye on the kids.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, from the powertrain to the rear of the minivan. The front seating area was spacious and allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with ample storage space, including an under-stack area with a rubberized bin. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power first- and second-row windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, and a Stow ‘n Go third-row bench seat. The second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with Stow ‘n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2020 Honda Pilot’s LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen, operating a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. All other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system lacked a tuning knob and had a confusing layout. Higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Cabin Control Remote Capability, allowing back seat passengers to control the stereo via a smartphone app. Navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a wall-style power outlet were optional on the EX-L and standard on the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The higher trims also featured a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system and mobile hotspot capability, with the Elite and Black Edition including a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, the most modern and customizable infotainment system from FCA. It was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use, though it lacked a head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with new games added for 2021. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with upgrades available, including a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features included front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and the best crash test score of Good from the IIHS, along with a Superior rating in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model at the time of publication.