2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the same dynamic styling as the rest of the Honda lineup, featuring 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, combining analog fuel and engine-temperature gauges with a digital screen in front of the driver. The cabin felt comfortable and spacious, 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 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a styling that looked older due to its carryover design from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. The Forester's boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious look. The Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact. The Forester's interior was a no-nonsense mix of durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. The cabin was practical, though not particularly luxurious, and the infotainment system was user-friendly but slow to boot up.

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 (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). 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 transmission. The V6 provided strong acceleration, making it easy to move from a standstill or pass on the highway. 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 for various conditions, enhancing its capability slightly.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. The Forester's power felt adequate for most situations but lacked the thrust needed for confident highway merging or overtaking. The suspension was softly tuned, absorbing bumps well but resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. AWD was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces, and higher trims offered Dual X-Mode. The Forester had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on rough terrain, though not as capable as some off-road-focused rivals.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while higher trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher had one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to its rivals. The Pilot had plenty of storage spaces for family use, and higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline, which also enhanced outward visibility. The Forester offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. It had more cargo space than some competitors but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on the Limited and Touring trims. The Forester's interior had practical storage solutions, though it lacked features like wireless charging and a standard power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen, a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. Higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was criticized for its confusing layout and lack of physical controls. Higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM, Cabin Control Remote Capability, navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system. The Elite and Black Edition trims also had a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though it was slow to boot up. The Forester also had secondary screens for additional information, which seemed overly complex.

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 had front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety features 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 for crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also had steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester's driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, was unique among mainstream brands, ensuring drivers remained attentive.