2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with practicality, offering a rugged appearance since its 2019 refresh and a sleek Black Edition in 2020. Despite these efforts, its exterior design was often considered an acquired taste. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices spanning from $32,250 to $49,920. The Special Edition trim, new for 2021, added features like black 20-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black mats were notorious for attracting pet hair. The interior, with its quality materials and minivan-like front seat design, offered practicality but lacked excitement.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged roots to a symbol of luxury. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to exceed $250,000. Our test vehicle, the HSE Westminster special edition, was priced at $106,715 and featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained timeless, with hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and clean lines. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while comprehensive, was not as intuitive as newer systems, requiring patience and practice to master.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and refined performance. 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 and handling. Fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start contributed to an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, though its off-road capability was limited by its modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension delivered a classic wafting sensation, while its Terrain Response 2 system ensured off-road prowess. Despite its weight and tall center of gravity, the Range Rover handled well, though it was best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, with seating for up to eight people. The test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional, providing comfort and flexibility, while the third-row seat offered mid-pack comfort. Storage was abundant, with clever solutions throughout the cabin. The Pilot's cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked support and adjustability. Despite this, rear-seat amenities included quad-zone climate control and a premium sound system. Storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center console and modest cargo capacity of 25 cubic feet, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet. A suspension kneel function aided loading, and the rear-seat center section folded for longer items.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation and a premium audio system. The system was adequate but not exceptional, with some limitations in voice recognition and subscription services. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system, though many passengers preferred using their own devices.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system, with three displays offering extensive customization. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while comprehensive, was not entirely intuitive and required practice to master. The dual 10-inch touchscreens could be distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. While effective, the system was not the most refined. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added advanced driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included several safety packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond. Overall, the safety features were effective and accurate.