2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the 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. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black mats were a challenge to clean. The interior boasted quality materials, though the design felt reminiscent of a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard model we tested, in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery, lacked the Heritage Edition's distinctive styling. The exterior, with its large headlights and chrome accents, appeared basic and somewhat outdated. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus design themes, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall feel was nostalgic, reminiscent of a time when SUVs were simpler, yet it lacked the modern flair expected at its price point.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing a smooth and refined driving experience. A nine-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot offered a comfortable ride with its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and its handling was surprisingly athletic. However, its off-road capability was limited by its modest ground clearance and all-season tires. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. The Land Cruiser excelled off-road, thanks to its Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control. It also boasted a sophisticated suspension system with KDSS for maximum wheel articulation. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected handling. Fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 14.7 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were available, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. The Pilot excelled in storage, with numerous compartments and a generous cargo area. With the third-row seat folded, it offered 46.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was roomy and comfortable, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted, but leg support was lacking. Cargo space was accessible via a split clamshell liftgate, offering 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo space was 82.8 cubic feet, slightly less than the Pilot.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink services. The system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice commands. Higher trims offered additional features like a rear-seat entertainment system and a WiFi hotspot. The Touring trim added a Cabin Talk feature for easier communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was more dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but offered Siri Eyes Free and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was also dated, with non-touchscreen displays and limited streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score in front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but its substantial weight and 10 airbags provided a sense of security.