2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with practicality, offering a rugged appearance since its 2019 refresh and a sleek Black Edition in 2020. Despite these efforts, its exterior design was often considered an acquired taste. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices spanning from $32,250 to $49,920. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black floor mats were notorious for attracting pet hair. The interior, while using quality materials, resembled a minivan with its flat dashboard and low center console, which did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. Its sleek, sporty profile was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and flush door handles, contributing to its streamlined appearance. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sophisticated, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The infotainment system was intuitive, and the interior offered a variety of configurations, though it was less opulent than previous models.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power, making the SUV quick to accelerate. A nine-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive, while an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg combined for AWD models, with our test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg. The suspension system offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly agile handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD and 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" experience. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's off-road capability was compromised by the lack of a locking differential or low range. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivered up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, offering high performance while reducing emissions.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were optional, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin and a large center console. Cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control, integrated with the transmission button, which was criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the cabin featured high-quality materials, though it lacked some of the luxury touches of previous models.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium audio system. The system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable features. It included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation capabilities. The system offered a 360-degree camera view and off-road mode, while the instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

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 for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.