2022 Land Rover Defender 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, its 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 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 rugged image.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Modern touches like rounded corners and recessed LED headlights gave it a unique personality. The Defender's interior was spacious and ergonomic, with a mix of leather and suede upholstery that seemed more practical for off-road adventures. Exposed metal and screws added to its rugged charm without feeling gimmicky. The Defender 90 V8 we tested had a comfortable driving position and ample headroom and legroom, making it a more practical choice than its predecessor.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured 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 powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot's fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, achieving an EPA-rated 22 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly 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 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 horsepower, and a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road focus, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's off-road prowess included a 4WD system with low range, good approach and departure angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, 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. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models. These chairs were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and slid forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. The Pilot had abundant storage, including door panels, a center console, and front seatback pockets. 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 with both rows folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a massive center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and a basic version of 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 capabilities. 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 Land Rover Defender's standard Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, but the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

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 had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot's crash-test ratings were generally favorable, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adaptation. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which is common for luxury vehicles.