Honda Pilot vs Audi Q3

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a postmodern automotive styling with its massive corporate grille, which paired well with its stout, chunky design. This design presented the idea of utility and dynamic handling, while primarily delivering on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, making it a standout feature. However, the interior design, which debuted with the 2019 model year, started to feel less special as Volkswagen's newer interiors caught up in design, albeit not as upscale.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the Pilot's exterior design remained an acquired taste. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices from $32,250 to $49,920. 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, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, offered a premium feel but struggled with practical issues like pet hair on the black mats.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a lively performance with solid power for passing, especially in Sport mode, which quickened throttle response and altered transmission mapping for harder acceleration. The Q3 also featured Audi’s Drive Select with Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, though the Off-Road mode was best suited for light dirt trails. The base engine had some turbo lag, particularly noticeable under hard acceleration or highway passing. Overall, the Q3 offered nimble handling and a comfortable ride, striking a balance between engagement and refinement.

The 2021 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and refined power delivery, making the SUV quick to get up to speed. The Pilot offered a torque-vectoring AWD system, capable of directing up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel, and 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 Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and unexpectedly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the total cargo space was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, featuring comfortable front seats with deep cargo pockets and impressive headroom and legroom in the rear seats. It could seat five, but four passengers could comfortably take a road trip if they packed light.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for a family, seating up to eight people with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs, standard on Elite and Black Edition models, were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and could slide forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat offered mid-pack comfort for midsize three-row SUVs, with a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system included a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. Other available features were wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit, an optional feature, replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display that could present the navigation map across nearly the entire screen.

The 2021 Honda Pilot, starting with most trims, included 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 offered navigation, HondaLink subscription services, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The infotainment system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The Touring trim also included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to speak to rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional driver assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional available features were a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist for parallel and perpendicular parking spots.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist systems. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had a blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system. The Pilot used an older version of Honda Sensing, which worked but lacked smoothness and refinement. The lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was also less subtle than desired. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.