2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh for a more rugged look and a 2020 Black Edition for a blacked-out appearance, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where AWD was standard. 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 and ambient lighting, but the 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, combined with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced the Onyx Edition trim, featuring blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille, and special interior trim. The Ascent was available in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $32,295 and going up to $45,445. The Onyx Edition, priced at $37,995, included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats and an option package for $2,000 that added a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover. The blacked-out treatment gave the Ascent a sporty look, and the interior featured a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching and metallic trim. However, the StarTex material tended to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable but unavailable option.

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 that could send up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. 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 AWD models. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive were standard. The Ascent with 20-inch wheels had an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 20.5 mpg. The flat-four engine layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Acceleration was brisk, and passing power was commendable. Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance enhanced off-road capability. The Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable in urban and suburban settings, but the brakes could be overly responsive. On country and mountain roads, the Ascent demonstrated athleticism but had more body motion due to its compliant suspension. On highways, the lane-keeping and lane-centering technologies could feel unstable, but turning them off improved the driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample room for a family, seating up to eight 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 and four-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on Touring and standard on Elite and Black Edition trims, providing comfort and sliding forward for third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The power tailgate revealed 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 rows down.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could seat up to eight with a second-row bench seat, but the third row was best for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second row was easy with wide rear doors, and captain’s chairs were available. The panoramic sunroof extended over the second row, and some models had rear-side window shades. Storage was plentiful, with a dashboard shelf and large door panel cupholders. The power liftgate revealed 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the second row folded and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows down. Models with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

Most 2021 Honda Pilots included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The 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, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent in base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system had volume and tuning knobs and was easier to use than Subaru’s latest infotainment system. However, the voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with EX trim, it also had 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 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, EyeSight could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and automatic high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available starting with Premium trim, and reverse automatic braking and Starlink Safety and Security were also available.