2022 Land Rover Range Rover 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 Special Edition trim, new for 2021, added features like black alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging. 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 boasted quality materials, though the design felt reminiscent of a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent an evolutionary redesign, maintaining its iconic broad and rounded face while introducing subtle changes like a vertical accent strip under the mirrors. The most notable update was at the rear, where thin LED strips replaced the old square taillights, emphasizing the SUV's substantial presence. Inside, the Range Rover's cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger touchscreen, offering a modern look. Premium leather and rich wood trim adorned the interior, exuding luxury. The Range Rover's solid build and quiet cabin added to its premium feel, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment, rivaling even more expensive alternatives like the Maybach or Bentley.

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 a smooth and refined driving experience, with a nine-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered various driving modes, including Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, and featured fuel-saving technologies like variable-cylinder management. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model, and our test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's suspension provided 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 modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, impressive for its size. The Range Rover's handling was agile, with well-managed body roll, and it featured rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response system, which adjusted the suspension and drivetrain for optimal traction. The Range Rover's ride quality was smooth, with minimal wind and road noise, making it one of the most comfortable luxury SUVs available.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, 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, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. The Pilot featured abundant storage, including a large center console and hidden compartments. 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 provided spaciousness in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats offered long-distance comfort with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console. The second row accommodated taller passengers with power recline and sliding adjustments, while the optional third row was suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space was limited to 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row but expanded to 93 cubic feet with seats folded. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension facilitated loading and unloading.

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 premium audio system. The infotainment system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered impressive sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

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 EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. 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 included standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. While crash-test results were unavailable, the Range Rover's safety features performed well during testing. However, some rivals offered additional safety technologies not present in the Range Rover.