2021 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, redesigned in 2019, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its rugged look. The Adventure trim improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the otherwise high-quality interior materials.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. The 2019 refresh and 2020 Black Edition added rugged and blacked-out looks, respectively, but the design remained polarizing. The Pilot offered seven trims, from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, had a $51,435 price tag, including destination charges.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid, a separate model, delivered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided adequate performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable at higher altitudes. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model included a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various terrains. Fuel economy averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, offering smooth and refined performance. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an available torque-vectoring AWD system. The Pilot's fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in an 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was generous, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passengers. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight people with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, with heating and inboard armrests. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with door panel compartments, a center console, and front seatback pockets. The power tailgate revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded and 83.9 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly and practical. Depending on the trim, the infotainment system featured a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data. The TRD Off-Road trim included an 8-inch display, menu shortcut buttons, and knobs for volume and tuning. Upgrades included navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was impressive, and the optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and 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 lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system, a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature for communicating with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps.

The 2020 RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), featuring advanced driving assist safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota also provided a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The IIHS awarded the 2020 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights, while other models received a Marginal rating for headlight performance.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist systems. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had a blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system. The Pilot's Honda Sensing system was functional but lacked smoothness and refinement. The NHTSA gave the Pilot a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS awarded it "good" ratings except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection. The standard headlights received an "acceptable" rating, with higher trims earning a "good" rating.