2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's 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 it 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 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, combined with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its increased 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for better approach and departure angles. It featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack could support a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Wilderness trim also included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, fitting between the Onyx XT and Limited XT trims. The test vehicle, equipped with a power sunroof, navigation system, and reverse automatic braking, totaled $39,965.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and quick acceleration. The available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly agile handling, aided by the Black Edition’s 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for its 3,896-pound weight and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated 24 mpg combined, but real-world testing on a mountainous route yielded 21.3 mpg. The Outback's CVT, while functional, lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires enhanced its off-road prowess. The Wilderness trim also included a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it the most capable Outback ever. On pavement, the Outback felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled in challenging conditions.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, though the front passenger seat had only four-way adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on Touring trims 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. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a large center console. The power tailgate, standard on EX-L trims and higher, revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. Rear seat space was generous, with air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports, though the StarTex material could be uncomfortable in warm conditions. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback also included a waterproof cargo tray and seatback material, along with LED lighting for the cargo area. The roof rack could support a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and satellite radio. The Special Edition trim 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, allowing the driver to communicate with rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on higher trims. However, it included PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The system was functional but not very refined. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured EyeSight ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The system was effective and unobtrusive. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.