Honda Pilot vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, sold in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 model was lower and wider, boasting a more premium crossover styling that gave it a planted appearance. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir models came with upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, body-color painted lowers and wheel arches, and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. The interior of the Avenir models was adorned with unique trim patterns, leather-appointed seating, and a head-up display (HUD).

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance reliability, safety, comfort, and performance with its rugged exterior design. The Pilot had seven different versions, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition. The Special Edition trim was new for 2021, adding 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, red-tinted and perforated seat inserts, and red ambient lighting. Despite its rugged look, the Pilot’s exterior design remained an acquired taste.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This was a downgrade from the previous model’s 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision’s weight savings did not compensate for the power loss. The turbo-four engine was competent for daily driving, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The 2021 Envision FWD achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while AWD versions managed 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. However, the engine and road noise during acceleration and deceleration detracted from its premium feel.

The 2021 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, was equipped with 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. The Pilot’s available torque-vectoring AWD system could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with the AWD model achieving 22 mpg in combined driving. The Pilot’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered 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 Buick Envision’s redesign did not enhance its cabin’s functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, the Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger’s access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel.

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, with the driver’s seat offering 10-way power adjustment. 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 Pilot’s third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with carved-out spaces in the door panels and center console. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch and displaying necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could use an available 8.0-inch driver information display for quicker access to station and song title information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, HUD, a rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Honda Pilot’s infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The infotainment system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition technology. The Touring trim’s rear-seat entertainment system played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps, with a Cabin Talk feature allowing the driver to speak to rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had a blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system. The Pilot’s crash-test ratings were favorable, with the NHTSA giving it a five-star overall rating and the IIHS awarding it “good” ratings, except for an “acceptable” score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.