2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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, each adding more features, with the Black Edition offering unique black-painted wheels and accents.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 embraced a rugged SUV aesthetic with boxy fender flares and a scowling front end, setting it apart from other compact crossovers. Despite its aggressive exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, shared with other Toyota models, which provided a solid foundation but didn't match the styling's promise of off-road prowess. The interior featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, but material quality didn't improve with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model added unique features like matte black wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capability, though it lacked the suspension articulation of true off-roaders.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims used a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring and Black Edition featured a 9-speed automatic for smoother acceleration and better 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 offered drive modes for different conditions, but the system's controls were not intuitive.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The engine achieved impressive thermal efficiency and revved eagerly, but the transmission was slow to shift, and the steering lacked feedback. The RAV4's highway performance was more refined, with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. Off-road, the Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, but their off-road capability was limited by suspension articulation and approach angles.

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 boasted 1,583 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, surpassing many competitors. Higher trims included features like a power liftgate and a hands-free power tailgate. The Pilot was designed for family use, with plenty of storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk to facilitate communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof for good headroom and visibility, though legroom was less generous. The rear seats were less comfortable for long trips, with flat cushions. Cargo space was above average at 1,977 litres with the seats folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and controls, but lacked large cupholders and storage spaces. The centre-console storage was ample, but the design sacrificed some console space.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. The system included a 215-watt stereo with a subwoofer, but its interface was criticized for being confusing. Higher trims added features like navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a premium audio system. The Touring and Black Edition also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered larger screens. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked standout features. The RAV4 Prime offered a head-up display, but the gasoline model did not. The system included shortcut buttons for key functions, and a JBL premium audio system was available.

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

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. The RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.