2021 Subaru Ascent 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, from the base LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power liftgate, and advanced infotainment options.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced as a much-needed addition to Subaru's lineup, drew design inspiration from the smaller Forester and Outback models, scaled up to a three-row midsize SUV. Its cabin mirrored this approach, with a dash design similar to other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity among buyers. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering a range of features from driver-assistance technologies to upgraded infotainment systems. The Touring trim stood out with second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

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 either a 6-speed automatic transmission on lower trims or a 9-speed automatic on higher trims like the Touring and Elite, offering refined acceleration and improved fuel economy. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. It featured Honda's Intelligent Traction Management System with drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability in different terrains.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, providing a balanced and responsive driving experience. The Ascent excelled in comfort, with a ride that absorbed road imperfections well, and its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, along with the X-Mode system, made it adept in snowy conditions and light off-roading. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious cabin with seating for up to eight passengers, though higher trims with second-row captain’s chairs reduced capacity to seven. Its third row was adult-friendly, unlike some competitors, and the EX trim and above featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. The Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than some rivals but more than others like the Mazda CX-9. It included practical features like a power liftgate and a conversation mirror for monitoring rear passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. While some competitors offered more cargo space, the Ascent's capacity was still competitive. It came standard with a power liftgate, though it lacked a hands-free option. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. Its first two rows were spacious, and the third row was suitable for adults on short trips or children on longer journeys. The Ascent also featured an impressive 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's base LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen, while higher trims included an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the infotainment system's layout was criticized for being confusing, lacking a tuning knob, and relying heavily on touchscreen controls. Higher trims offered additional features like navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium audio system, with the Elite and Black Edition including a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent's StarLink infotainment system was praised for its logical menu layouts and easy-to-read icons, supported by hard buttons and dials. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with front and second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system, enhancing the Ascent's appeal.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, which included 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 Subaru Ascent was recognized as an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, with additional features like reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring available. The Ascent also gained standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights for 2021.