2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish a signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and distinctive wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like center console, creating a luxurious and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with practicality, offering a rugged appearance with its 2019 refresh and a blacked-out look in the 2020 Black Edition. Despite these efforts, the Pilot's exterior design was considered an acquired taste. Available in seven trims, the Pilot ranged from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices from $32,250 to $49,920. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its minivan-like front seat design and drab exterior did not enhance its appeal. The Pilot's interior was practical, with quality materials and ample storage, but its design leaned more towards functionality than luxury.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by independent multi-link suspension, with the 3.5T models featuring electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T models had a curb weight between 4,506 and 4,850 lbs, while the 3.5T models weighed between 4,907 and 5,104 lbs. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with RWD, and 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined for the 3.5T AWD.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot's ride was comfortable, with MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and it handled well thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The Pilot's off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and design. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capability. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80 offered a comfortable second row with power seats and window shades, while the third row was standard only on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on Touring trims and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, offering comfort and sliding functionality for easier third-row access. The Pilot's third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. Storage was abundant, with a large center console and hidden compartments. Cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and NFC digital key functionality for Android users. Genesis Connected Services provided three years of complimentary services, including remote start, vehicle health reports, and destination guidance. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, and the Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers was a highlight.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Pilot's infotainment system was functional but lacked some modern features, such as a tuning knob and advanced voice recognition. The Touring trim also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD and Blu-Ray capability, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature for communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. The GV80 was equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist were also included, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of ADAS including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite a four-star rating for front-passenger protection. The IIHS gave the Pilot "good" ratings, with an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.