2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited a dynamic styling consistent with the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot offered 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 used hard plastics in many areas, which detracted from its overall refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot was available in several trims, from the value-oriented LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding more features and upscale touches.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar look with minor updates to modernize its appearance, such as a new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Odyssey offered a more upscale feel with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting in the Touring trim. The minivan's interior was designed for practicality, with improvements in seating material and design, and new tri-colour floor mats to better hide dirt. The Odyssey's updates aimed to position it as a more luxurious option within the minivan segment.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission on lower trims and a 9-speed automatic on the Touring and Black Edition. The 9-speed transmission offered smoother acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System provided drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability in different terrains.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey also featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth power delivery and included variable cylinder management for better fuel efficiency, achieving an average of 10.8 L/100 km in testing. Unlike the Pilot, the Odyssey was front-wheel drive only, which was a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for improvement in this area.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious cabin for up to eight passengers, with optional second-row captain’s chairs reducing capacity to seven. Its third row was adult-friendly, offering ample head and legroom. The Pilot excelled in cargo space, offering 1,583 litres with the rear seats folded, surpassing many competitors. Higher trims featured conveniences like a power liftgate and hands-free tailgate. The Pilot was designed for family use, with plenty of storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk for easy communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered excellent storage and seating flexibility with its Magic Slide second-row seats, allowing various configurations. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior was practical, with logical controls and ample storage, though the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was a drawback. The Odyssey's seating was comfortable, with standard heated front seats and available ventilated seats in higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though its interface was criticized for being confusing. Higher trims added navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a premium audio system. The Pilot's technology offerings were comprehensive but could benefit from a more intuitive design.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey also had an 8-inch touchscreen with similar connectivity features. The Odyssey's technology included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk PA system, enhancing communication with rear passengers. The Touring trim added a premium audio system, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system was appreciated, though not touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with an updated Honda Sensing suite, adding low-speed follow and pedestrian braking. It was expected to maintain its high safety ratings, though the adaptive cruise control's braking could be smoother. The Odyssey's safety features were comprehensive, though blind-spot monitoring was only available on higher trims.