2021 Honda Pilot vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with 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. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its minivan-like front seat design and drab exterior did not appeal to everyone. Quality materials were evident, but the hard plastic panels and black floor mats that attracted pet hair were drawbacks.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX maintained a modern and sporty design, thanks to a 2020 facelift. It was available in base 350, F Sport, and L trims, with a hybrid RX 450h option. The RX stood out with its aggressive styling, sharp character lines, and angular features. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented elements like 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with various color combinations and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim lacked comfort. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered 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's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg combined for AWD models, and it delivered a comfortable ride with unexpectedly athletic handling. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h offered a combined output of 308 hp. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving modes did not significantly alter the vehicle's handling. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, with fuel efficiency ratings of 23 mpg combined for the RX 350 and 30 mpg combined for the RX 450h.

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 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 Pilot's cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet available with all seats upright. The RX's cargo area was accessible via a power liftgate, but the load-in height was high due to the sporty bumper design. Interior features included a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Higher trims added features like navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a rear-seat entertainment system. While the system was adequate, it lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice commands.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. The screen's positioning created access issues, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. Despite these challenges, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. While effective, the system lacked refinement. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. It was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights but received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Despite its age, the RX remained competitive in safety.