2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Honda Pilot presented itself as a vehicle that aimed to balance styling with aspects such as safety, comfort, and performance. During its 2019 refresh, Honda gave the Pilot a more rugged look, and the 2020 Black Edition added a popular blacked-out aesthetic. However, its design remained an acquired taste for many. The Pilot was available in seven versions ranging from the base LX to the top-tier Black Edition, with pricing between $32,250 and $49,920. While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive could be added for an extra $2,000 for most trims, except for the Elite and Black Edition, which included AWD as standard.

A new addition for 2021 was the Pilot Special Edition, featuring black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate, with an MSRP of $38,960. We experienced the fully-loaded Black Edition, complete with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, bringing the total to $51,435, including destination charges.

The Black Edition’s exclusive features included black leather upholstery with red contrasts and red ambient lighting. Quality materials were noticeable throughout, including the hard plastic panels. Despite its exterior design criticisms, the interior felt minivan-like, thanks to a flat dashboard and thin windshield pillars. However, it bore some flaws, like black mats that tended to collect pet hair, making cleaning a hassle.

The 2021 Audi Q5, in contrast, maintained a sharp, modern appearance consistent with Audi’s design language while retaining its individuality. The Q5 boasted a striking facade with LED headlights and the prominent Audi Singleframe grille accentuated by horizontal elements. Crisp character lines on the body and large taillights at the rear contributed to its classy, contemporary look. The Q5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) added S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, which included standard 19-inch wheels and optional 20-inch wheels, further elevating its look.

Inside, the Q5 mirrored its external elegance with a tech-heavy yet uncluttered appearance. The layout of buttons, switches, and knobs was functional and aesthetically pleasing, highlighted by high-quality materials like real wood and metal. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically positioned at the top of the center stack for optimal driver visibility. The second row of the Q5 also offered a leather-appointed, comfortable seating arrangement, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing a dynamic and smooth driving experience. The nine-speed automatic transmission either powered the front wheels or employed a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which could distribute up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management modes—Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand—added to its versatility.

Efficiency mechanisms like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start were included, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD variant, while test drives yielded an average of 21.5 mpg. The Pilot’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension ensured a comfortable ride with surprisingly agile handling, augmented by the Black Edition’s 20-inch wheels and torque-vectoring AWD. Though fun on the pavement, off-road capabilities were limited by its 7.3-inch ground clearance and shallow approach and departure angles.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took performance a notch higher. The PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine with an electric motor, together generating 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. The Q5’s 0-60 mph acceleration time was just 5.0 seconds, thanks to this powertrain. Its curb weight stood at 4,665 lbs. The setup offered brisk acceleration, while fuel economy figures impressed with 65 MPGe combined in hybrid mode and 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode.

The seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission, combined with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive, provided versatility. Drivers could choose battery-only mode (up to 20 miles) for quiet commutes or hybrid mode for optimal performance. Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a 38.4 feet turning radius were initially surprising but quickly became manageable. The Q5’s independent suspension setup offered a balanced, sporty ride with minimal body roll and strong, predictable braking.

The 2021 Honda Pilot demonstrated substantial interior space suitable for family needs, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle included heated, ventilated, and supportive front seats, though the front passenger seat offered only four-way adjustment compared to the driver’s ten-way adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard on the higher trims and provided ample comfort, with an easy slide feature for third-row access. Third-row comfort was merely average, mainly due to a low, flat bottom cushion.

The Pilot excelled in storage solutions, with compartments in door panels and a large center console with a rolltop tray. Behind the third-row seat, it offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with the second row down, making it competitive for long family trips.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV benefited from smart packaging, with its battery pack neatly under the luggage compartment floor, maintaining cargo space at 25.1 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded space to 53.1 cubic feet. Second-row passengers enjoyed 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, comfortably accommodating two adults or three for shorter journeys.

Front-row passengers benefited from Audi’s comfortable, adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Prestige trim. The Q5 featured practical storage solutions, including center-console cubbies and a small bin under the armrest, all reflecting its well-thought-out and efficient design.

In the 2021 Honda Pilot, most trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and satellite radio. The system, adequate yet smaller than competitors’, lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice recognition prompts. Higher trims added features like wireless phone charging, navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio. The rear entertainment system on Touring trims included a 115-volt outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk function, playing DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming apps.

On the other hand, the 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV included Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an intuitive touchpad interface. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster, available in three views, added a customizable and futuristic element to the vehicle’s tech feel. Navigation was standard with the Prestige Package and optional on Premium Plus, integrating route optimization for hybrid driving.

New for the Q5, the Integrated Toll Module (ITM) provided a built-in transponder compatible with major toll services, eliminating the need for external transponders. Audi’s premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, standard on Prestige trims, delivered excellent sound quality, complemented by wireless Apple CarPlay for easy connectivity.

Every 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The older version of Honda Sensing was functional but not refined. The Pilot generally earned favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star NHTSA overall score and high IIHS ratings, except for an “acceptable” front passenger small overlap and headlight ratings.

In the 2021 Audi Q5, safety was comprehensive yet awaiting specific PHEV ratings. The gasoline model received top marks from the NHTSA and good ratings from the IIHS, barring its “marginal” headlight rating. The Q5 PHEV was expected to match these ratings. Safety features included six airbags, brake assist, Audi Pre Sense, stability control, LED lights, and more. Available driver-assistance features like Audi Advanced Key, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system supplemented its safety suite.