2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 and digital displays. While the cabin was comfortable and spacious, it did incorporate hard plastics, which detracted from its overall refinement compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot's trim levels ranged from the value-oriented LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding progressively more features and upscale touches.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained a timeless design that balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its aesthetic appeal contributed to its enduring success, with a model lineup that spanned from the affordable Laredo to the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk editions. The Grand Cherokee Summit trim, in particular, offered a plush interior with premium materials like leather, wood, and aluminum. However, despite its luxurious feel, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and component fits. The Grand Cherokee's design was both a testament to its heritage and a signal that a redesign was imminent.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It 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 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 challenging terrains.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, producing 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation for improved efficiency, though fuel consumption remained high. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road prowess, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban settings.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious cabin with seating 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, providing 1,583 litres with the rear seats folded, surpassing many competitors. Higher trims featured conveniences like a power liftgate and CabinTalk, which projected the driver's voice to rear passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, though rear legroom was limited. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space was 1,028 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. Practical storage was limited, but thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks were appreciated.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. However, the system's interface was criticized for its lack of intuitive controls, relying heavily on the touchscreen for basic functions. Higher trims added navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a premium audio system.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav system offered a user-friendly experience with fast response times and clear graphics. It included navigation, smartphone integration, and a WiFi hotspot. The Summit trim boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Despite its age, the Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology was effective, and its tech offerings, while not extensive, were sufficient for most needs.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came equipped with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, with a "Superior" score in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were mixed. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash scenarios. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, enhancing its safety profile.