2021 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was somewhat unremarkable from the side, with a few updates from the previous model year, such as a more slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various parts of the vehicle, including the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. Higher trims featured projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, with LED running lamps reserved for the Limited and Platinum trims. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shined, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to give it a more rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices from $32,250 to $49,920. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red-tinted and perforated seat inserts, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The interior quality was high, with comfortable and supportive seats, but the design felt more like a minivan from the front seat, which detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot to initiate a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride that didn't inspire confidence. However, the vehicle's muted inputs and outputs made for a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was impressive for a large vehicle, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 20/27/23 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot also featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and refined, providing quick acceleration. The nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an available torque-vectoring AWD system that could send up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot's fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with the AWD model achieving an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and unexpectedly athletic handling. However, its off-road capability was limited by its modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs, which were standard on the Limited and Platinum trims and optional on the XLE. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander featured three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet for the rear, side window shades, and a heated second row on upper trims. Cargo space was generous, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior also included eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for additional storage.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for a family, with seating for up to eight people when equipped with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on the Elite and Black Edition models, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. The Pilot featured extensive storage options, including door panel storage, a large center console, and front seatback pockets with smartphone holders. Cargo space was competitive, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an infotainment system that felt outdated, with low-resolution maps and screens, and a convoluted process for using onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was underutilized, with climate and fuel economy information always present. However, the Highlander included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Upper trims featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, both of which were crisp and informative. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system was decent. Standard features included SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and four USB-A ports, along with a one-year trial for Safety Connect.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and a basic version of HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and limited voice-recognition technology. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature. The rear-seat entertainment system played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander had a driver's knee airbag and a special cushion airbag for the front passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a 2020 Top Safety Pick, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet rated it.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot used an older version of Honda Sensing, which was functional but not very refined. The NHTSA gave the Pilot a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it "good" ratings in most categories, with an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.