2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 starting at $32,250 and reaching up 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, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and a fully loaded interior, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 sported a rugged exterior that set it apart from previous generations and other compact crossovers. Its boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and aggressive front end gave it a distinctive look. The RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. The Adventure model added a retro Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road trim featured matte black wheels, LED fog lights, and red interior accents. The interior included functional touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, but material quality did not improve significantly with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model we tested had SofTex upholstery, which was durable but not as luxurious as leather.

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 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 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 agile 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 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically seen in racing engines, and delivered power at high RPMs. However, the transmission was slow to shift, and the steering lacked feedback, making the driving experience less engaging. The RAV4 offered a Sport mode, but it only added weight to the steering without improving responsiveness. On the highway, the RAV4 was quieter and more comfortable, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. Off-road, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured a torque-vectoring rear axle and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, but their limited suspension articulation and approach angles restricted their capability on challenging trails.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a tall, upright roof that provided good headroom and visibility. However, legroom was slightly less than some competitors. The front seats in the TRD Off-Road model were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 had a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but it did not slide fore and aft like some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, which was above average but still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior included oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls that were easy to use, even with gloves. Storage options were somewhat limited, with a large center-console bin and a space for smartphones, but no large cupholders or loose change compartments.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink services. The Special Edition trim added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was functional but not exceptional, with a small screen and limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim featured an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a well-positioned touchscreen and easy-to-read graphics. However, it lacked the flashiness of some competitors and did not offer a head-up display on gasoline models. The RAV4's interface was simple and effective, making it easy to use without being overly complicated.

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. The older version of Honda Sensing was functional but not as refined as newer systems. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), despite four-star ratings for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Pilot its highest "good" ratings, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection. The standard headlights earned an "acceptable" rating, while higher trims received a "good" rating.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it missed the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain option packages.