2022 GMC Yukon 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 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 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 featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its black 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 GMC Yukon, especially in its Denali trim, was a chrome lover's dream. The front of the Denali was dominated by a vast, multi-dimensional chrome grille, giving it a unique and commanding presence. The AT4 trim had a distinct look with a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo. The AT4 had a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents. The Yukon provided ample comfort across all three rows, a significant improvement from previous models.

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 optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, including a 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The standard 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the Denali's 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet. The turbodiesel, available on all trims except the AT4, produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a 648-mile range. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The AT4 trim featured a two-speed transfer case and a 32-degree approach angle for off-roading. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, with its 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The Yukon featured independent rear suspension for better handling and a smoother ride, though some bouncing was noted over rough pavement.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered 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. 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 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 provided 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 2022 GMC Yukon significantly improved third-row comfort with an additional 10 inches of legroom, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 25.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding center console with hidden storage. Power-retractable assist steps made entry and exit easier. The Yukon also had pushbutton transmission controls, which took some getting used to but eventually became second nature.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system on the Touring trim played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps. However, the infotainment system's screen was small, and the voice-recognition technology required specific prompts.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center and a 15-inch head-up display on the Denali trim. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Denali trim included a Bose 14-speaker audio system, though its sound quality was underwhelming. The rear-seat media system had dual 12.6-inch touchscreens compatible with various media formats, though additional adapters were needed for some devices.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim and above added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Yukon.