2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's 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. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where AWD was standard. 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 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 rugged image.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, featured a revised exterior design with a larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear received new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The updated rear also included larger exhaust tips and a new bumper. The X3 offered nine exterior finishes, with new colors like Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. Standard 19-inch gray aluminum-alloy wheels were paired with all-season run-flat tires. The M Sport Package added sportier design elements, while the Shadowline Package provided a blacked-out look. The X3 M40i featured a high-gloss black BMW M grille and aerodynamic mirrors. The interior was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The X3 offered various interior color options and ambient lighting with 11 color combinations.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and refined, providing quick acceleration. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered driving modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, and fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start. The AWD model had an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, with well-weighted steering and responsive brakes. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The sDrive30i had an EPA rating of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i had 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The X3 M40i had a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i had an EPA rating of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The X3 offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with the M40i providing a more exhilarating driving experience. The mild-hybrid system was barely noticeable and did not improve fuel economy.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample room for a family, 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 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. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. The Pilot had plenty of storage, including door panels, a center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation on higher trims. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet maximum.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided seating for five adults, with a 40/20/40-split rear seat. The cargo area accommodated backpacks and photography equipment, with a power tailgate standard and hands-free opening optional. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding softness. The thigh-support cushion control handle was a minor annoyance for some drivers. The X3's redesigned center console featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, with an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. The center console layout was similar to newer BMW models, with push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and audio functions. The matte finish of the buttons and the new outer material of the rotary dial improved usability.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. 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 infotainment system was adequate but had a small screen and limited voice-recognition technology. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature.

The 2022 BMW X3 came with BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. The optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully digital experience. The X3 had a 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system for M40i models. Other tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features like keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, a head-up display, and gesture control.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received 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 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. While IIHS crash test results were not yet available, the 2018 X3 was named a Top Safety Pick+, and these results applied to model years 2018 through 2021. The 2022 X3 added more safety features, including adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems. The available Parking Assistance Package and Driving Assistant Professional Package added features like parking assistance, 360-degree camera view, traffic jam assistance, and active lane-keep assist.