2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance ruggedness with family-friendly design. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the 2020 Black Edition, its exterior 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 on most trims. 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, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, had a starting price of $51,435, including destination charges.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic look, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. The Wrangler's design was unmistakable and offered various configurations, including painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops. The interior was functional but less comfortable than car-based SUVs like the Honda Pilot. The Wrangler's upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments added to its rugged charm. Available trims included the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions like the Willys and 80th Anniversary. The Rubicon 392, with its Hemi V8, stood out for its off-road prowess and unique styling elements.

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 refined power delivery. The Pilot's available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. 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 MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift, and upgraded brakes, along with a dual-mode performance exhaust.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered 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, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs, standard on Elite and Black Edition trims, provided nearly the same comfort as the front seats and were heated. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot's cargo space measured 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that opened or closed in 18 seconds at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Most 2021 Honda Pilots included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim featured navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The Touring trim also included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature for easier communication with rear-seat passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, available on higher trims, offered crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead. The camera also had its own washer-sprayer for off-roading in muddy or dusty conditions.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. While effective, the older version of Honda Sensing lacked refinement, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was intrusive. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came standard with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. While the Wrangler's safety features were basic, the live tire-pressure monitoring system was particularly beneficial for monitoring tire pressures in real-time during off-road adventures.