2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda Pilot

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, 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, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, 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 overall appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar look and feel, reminiscent of older models. The interior, however, was updated, especially in trims above the base model, which featured dual 7-inch touchscreens. Higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. Quality materials were evident, with Limited and Touring trims offering two-tone leather upholstery. Our test car, the Onyx Edition XT, featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. The exterior design was practical, with high gray cladding to protect against scratches. The Outback's styling remained smooth and plain, with a few chrome accents and bracket-shaped LED running lights. For 2021, adaptive LED headlights became standard, and a new brown paint color was introduced.

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 and responsive. A nine-speed automatic transmission drove the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving technologies included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, resulting in an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The Pilot's suspension setup offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the Outback, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't help, making the Outback slow and noisy. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the base engine. Fuel economy for the turbo XT was slightly lower, at an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, compared to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the base engine. The Outback's handling was soft, but its ride comfort and off-road capability were excellent, thanks to 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's proactive AWD system with X-Mode for tougher conditions.

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 were optional on Touring trims and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same 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 compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot's cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrain without being oversized. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of intrusive elements. Headroom and legroom were ample in all seating positions, and visibility was excellent due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a front center console with handy pockets. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included 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. Voice recognition required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. 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 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was even worse. Despite this, the system offered modern features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions, reducing its effectiveness compared to systems that also use radar.

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. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, earning 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 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium trims and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking was optional on the Onyx Edition XT and standard on the Limited 2.5 and Touring trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, as well as a "Superior" rating for forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.