2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its 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. 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 features like black 20-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, had a sticker price of $51,435 with the optional Platinum White Pearl paint.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced after a hiatus, rode on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K platform. Measuring 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, it had a modern exterior design with a scalloped body side and LED lighting on the tailgate. The Venza's interior was Lexus-like, featuring high-quality materials and an elegant layout. The standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch touchscreen was well-placed, and the front seats were supportive and comfortable. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, powering the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered a smooth and refined driving experience, with a comfortable ride and unexpectedly athletic handling. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model. The Pilot's off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Toyota Venza combined a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with three electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency, with drive modes including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, and the Venza's Predicted Efficient Drive program optimized battery charging based on driving habits. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, with a comfortable ride suited for family travel. Its hybrid setup provided a range of over 500 miles on a full tank of gas.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight people, with comfortable and supportive leather-wrapped front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. The Pilot had ample storage, including a large center console and various compartments. Cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cabin featured numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. Toyota focused on making the Venza's cabin a quiet and serene environment, with extensive sound-blocking and absorbing materials.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 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 10-speaker premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system on the Touring trim featured a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature. The infotainment system was adequate but had some limitations, such as the lack of a tuning knob and specific voice-recognition prompts.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured an eight-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE models, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Limited trim. The infotainment system included AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, intelligent touch-capacitive controls, and navigation. Toyota Connected Services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package on the Limited trim offered a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim and above also included 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 high ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System, featuring stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.