2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda Pilot was a testament to Honda's dynamic styling, sharing a sleek design with its lineup. It featured thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille, with a subtle belt-line uptick around the rear side windows that cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog gauges for fuel and engine temperature with a digital screen for other information. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, though it fell short of the upscale feel offered by some competitors due to the use of hard plastics.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, maintained a familiar yet fun design, with curvy, car-like lines that echoed Honda's sedan lineup. Its styling leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with lower-quality plastics. Despite this, the CR-V offered a spacious cabin with excellent head- and legroom, thanks to its well-thought-out seating position and low cowl, enhancing front visibility.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine came standard with all-wheel drive in Canada, with a 6-speed automatic transmission for the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and a 9-speed automatic for the Touring and Black Edition. The 9-speed offered more refined acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. Despite its unconventional shifter button setup, the Pilot's V6 provided strong acceleration, making it suitable for both city driving and highway overtaking. The ride was tuned for comfort, ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its versatility.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, offering a quick response, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like road manners were evident in its nimble handling and firm yet comfortable chassis, with minimal body roll. Its low curb weight contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin, with optional second-row captain’s chairs on Touring and standard on the Black Edition, reducing seating to seven. Unlike some rivals, the Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, with ample head and legroom. EX-L trims and higher featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy third-row access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 1,583 litres of cargo space, surpassing most competitors. The Pilot was designed for family hauling, with numerous storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk for easy communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its excellent seating position and low cowl enhanced visibility, while clever storage solutions, like a deep centre console and two-position load floor, maximized cargo space. The CR-V offered 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition and 1,110 litres in other trims. The door pockets were also spacious, making the CR-V practical for everyday use and capable of accommodating various items with ease.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. The system included a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. However, the interface was criticized for its confusing layout and lack of a tuning knob. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring and Black Edition boasted an upgraded 590-watt, 11-speaker audio system and wireless charging.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition included a wireless phone charger, enhancing their tech offerings despite the outdated infotainment system.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured automatic high beams, front and side-impact airbags, and child-seat anchors. Optional safety features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good score from the IIHS, with a Superior rating in crash prevention technology.

The 2020 Honda CR-V also included the HondaSensing suite as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring were available on higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights on the Touring and Black Edition improving nighttime visibility. A recall for a rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.