2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. 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 accents, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which didn't help its appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, impressed with its value. It offered a choice of two new gasoline engines and a new hybrid powertrain, with trims ranging from SE to the luxurious Calligraphy. Prices ranged from $26,850 to $39,950. The Santa Fe's exterior received a significant update with a redesigned front end, new running lights, grille, and bumper. Inside, new colors, patterns, and textures elevated its appeal, and the new bridge-style center console added functionality. The Calligraphy trim, with its premium leather and high-tech features, made the Santa Fe feel more expensive than it was. However, its exterior design was still an acquired taste, despite Hyundai's efforts to align it with the rest of its lineup.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and quick acceleration. The available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. The Pilot offered driving modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, and fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start. The EPA rated the AWD Pilot at 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 21.5 mpg in testing. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension delivered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling. However, its off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter prioritizing fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine was as fuel-efficient as the standard one, with both achieving 24 mpg combined. The Santa Fe's improved structural rigidity, braking system, and refined handling made it a joy to drive, averaging 22.4 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on 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 cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed for those who didn't need a third-row seat, offered generous passenger space. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric seats in lower trims and leather in higher trims. The Calligraphy trim added premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe's front seats were comfortable for long drives, with power adjustments available from the SEL trim upwards. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 premium audio system. The system was adequate but had a small screen and limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to communicate with rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was packed with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch system required wired connections but included upgraded voice-recognition and Blue Link connected services. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Clari-Fi technology was available with the larger screen. Blue Link, free for three years, offered a range of features, including remote engine start and climate control adjustments. The Santa Fe also featured Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing for remote operation of the vehicle.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, it also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot's crash-test ratings were generally favorable, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, especially in the Calligraphy trim. It included forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and a rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist added to its safety credentials. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights, achieving the highest possible ratings for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.