2022 Volvo XC60 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 a 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. 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. 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 for 2021 added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The Black Edition, which we tested, came fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery featuring red-tinted and perforated seat inserts, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The only option was a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, bringing the total to $51,435. While the interior boasted quality materials, the design felt more like a minivan, which, coupled with its drab exterior, did not enhance its appeal. The black floor mats, which attracted pet hair, were a minor inconvenience, but overall, the Pilot offered a comfortable and practical interior.

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look, a rear bumper that hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to move sensors behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with the XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country.

The interior remained largely unchanged, retaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. Our B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding some flair to an otherwise subdued interior. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Overall, the XC60's interior was elegant but understated compared to other Volvo models.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power delivery, making the SUV quick and responsive. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. The Pilot also included Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes.

Fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start helped the AWD Pilot achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling. The torque-vectoring AWD system, 20-inch wheels, and excellent visibility contributed to the driving enjoyment. However, the brakes tended to heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by the Pilot's 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

For 2022, Volvo introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains for the XC60, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 also featured an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively AWD.

The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The B6 R-Design we tested felt smooth and responsive, with impressive body control in corners. The XC60 prioritized a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by the optional air suspension. Volvo also offered a plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge, with 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, and featured Öhlins adjustable dampers, Akebono brakes, and a front strut bar.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided 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, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats and sliding forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion.

Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation on higher trims. The cargo area offered 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 hidden storage compartment was useful for organizing smaller items or securing groceries.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's interior space remained competitive, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom, tying with the Audi Q5 for the worst in its segment. Legroom was average in both rows. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo space, at 21.1 cubic feet with the seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with them down, making the XC60 less spacious than many luxury crossovers.

The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, despite the somewhat pinched roofline. Large exterior mirrors also aided in driving without relying heavily on driver aids.

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

The infotainment system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. Voice recognition required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. 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 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, retaining a 9-inch touchscreen but now running the Android Automotive operating system. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot were standard. Optional features included a head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins.

The new system integrated Android-specific features like Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation. Android users could sync their profiles with the car, and the Google Play Store provided access to third-party apps. The system also supported over-the-air software updates. While iPhone compatibility was promised, it lacked the added functionality of syncing a Google profile. The system's graphics were clear, and the new layout with sideways swiping made navigation intuitive. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

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. Starting with the EX trim, it also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. While effective, the older version of Honda Sensing lacked refinement, and the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was intrusive.

Crash-test ratings were generally favorable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Pilot a five-star overall rating, despite four-star marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Pilot its highest "good" ratings, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection. The standard headlights earned an "acceptable" rating, while higher trims received a "good" rating.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but the 2021 model received the IIHS's highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New for 2022 were a Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, was available as an option.