2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance rugged styling with the practical needs of a family SUV. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of a Black Edition in 2020, the exterior design remained polarizing. 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. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive could be added for an extra $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim for 2021 added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester retained much of its previous-generation styling, with the most noticeable change being the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's decision to maintain the boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model, which we tested, featured orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, adding a sporty flair. The Forester's design was practical and unpretentious, with a focus on functionality over flashiness. The Forester's shared platform with other Subaru models like the Impreza and Outback contributed to its rugged yet familiar feel.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power delivery, making the SUV quick to accelerate. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with modes for Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand. Fuel-saving technologies included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The Pilot's suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, though its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, but power felt merely adequate, especially during highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven pavement. Standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode enhanced the Forester's capability on different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and hill-descent control on higher trims made it more capable off-road than many competitors.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight people 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 were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly as much comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a large center console. The Pilot's cargo space measured 16.5 cubic feet 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 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a spacious feel. Cargo space was 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing some competitors. However, the Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for average-sized phones, and wireless charging was not available. The center console was reasonably sized, and the large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly.

Most 2021 Honda Pilots included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The new Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The Touring trim also featured 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 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it received an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru's EyeSight system, which offered adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus, which checked for signs of distraction. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.