2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate. The latter two trims featured a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on all Canadian trims except the Essential. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colours, although the materials used were not as premium as the design suggested. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the Honda lineup, with thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its cabin was modern, featuring a semi-digital instrument panel and a spacious, comfortable interior. However, the use of hard plastics detracted from its refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot offered a range of trims, from the value-packed LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding various features such as leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced tech options. The Pilot's design was more conventional, appealing to those who preferred a classic look.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, delivering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, thanks to laminated glass. It had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and fuel efficiency ratings of 12.0 L/100 km city and 9.2 hwy with the turbo engine and AWD.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured standard AWD in Canada and came with either a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission, depending on the trim. The Pilot's V6 provided strong acceleration and a refined driving experience, although it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered various drive modes for different conditions, enhancing its versatility. The Pilot was well-suited for real-world driving, offering a comfortable and composed ride.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a two-row SUV with thoughtful design elements, such as creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. It featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious, with reclining options and heated cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres with the seats folded. A hands-free smart liftgate added convenience.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin, with optional second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. Its third row was adult-friendly, and the EX-L trim and higher provided one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. The Pilot had 1,583 litres of cargo space with the seats folded, surpassing many rivals. It featured numerous storage spaces and family-friendly amenities, such as a conversation mirror and CabinTalk feature for easy communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with stereo control knobs and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with additional features like SiriusXM and Blue Link connected services in higher trims. The Ultimate trim added a larger display, navigation, and a premium sound system. Safety tech included a head-up display and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, its interface was less intuitive, lacking a tuning knob and featuring a confusing layout. Higher trims added navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a premium audio system. The Pilot's tech offerings were comprehensive but could be challenging to use.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor. The Preferred trim included an ultrasonic occupant alert system for added safety.

The 2020 Honda Pilot also received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. It came standard with the HondaSensing suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot's safety tech was comprehensive and effective.