2021 Lexus RX vs 2020 Honda Pilot

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited a dynamic styling consistent with the 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. The Pilot was available in several trims, each adding more features, with the Black Edition offering unique black-painted wheels and accents.

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased the modern design aesthetic of Lexus with its large grille, angular headlamps, and floating roof. The interior was luxurious, featuring sumptuous seating and perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. The RX was available in five variants, including the performance-focused RX F Sport and the extended-body RXL with a third row. The RX maintained its 2020 design updates, which included elongated headlights and a refined front end. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels and LED lighting, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The interior was well-appointed, offering a range of materials and features, though the center console design was seen as dated.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, 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 for smoother acceleration and better fuel economy. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. It featured an Intelligent Traction Management System with drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability in different terrains.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a V6 with three electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower, managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission. The RX offered a comfortable and dynamic driving experience, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive suspension and sportier features. The RX was limited to a top speed of 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious cabin for up to eight passengers, with second-row captain’s chairs available in higher trims, reducing capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and the EX trim and above offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. The Pilot offered 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than some competitors but more than the Mazda CX-9. Higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered seating for five in the two-row models and up to seven in the three-row RXL variants. Front and second-row seating was spacious, but the third row was tight. The RX had 18.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL provided 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 58.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. While not as spacious as some competitors, the RX included a standard power liftgate and an available hands-free liftgate.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's base LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt stereo, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the system's interface was criticized for its confusing layout. Additional features included HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. Navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system were optional on the EX-L and standard on higher trims, which also offered a premium audio system and mobile hotspot capability.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system. The infotainment system was functional but not the most user-friendly, with a Remote Touch controller for navigation. The RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which might be a drawback for some buyers.

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 earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with Good marks in crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite, which offered a range of driver-assist technologies. However, it lacked the advanced hands-off systems found in some competitors.