2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing both its interior and exterior. The updates were not minor, as the styling changes allowed the RX to stand out in a competitive market. Despite its age, the RX maintained a stylish edge over its Toyota counterparts. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to resemble other Lexus models, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new shape, dual exhaust, rear diffuser, and reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate.

Inside, the RX continued to offer a well-appointed cabin with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors. Various interior colour and material combinations were available, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. The F Sport appearance packages added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels. The interior was luxurious yet practical, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a hardy design suitable for family life. However, the centre stack's dated look was a drawback as the industry moved towards more modern designs.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the current Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The design cleverly masked the Pilot's size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. The cabin was modern, with a semi-digital instrument panel, though it used hard plastics in many areas, making it less upscale compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot offered various trim levels, from the base LX to the top-tier Black Edition, each adding more features and luxury.

The Pilot's interior was spacious and comfortable, with an adult-friendly third row, unlike many competitors. The EX-L trim and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access to the third row. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 1,583 litres of cargo space, surpassing many rivals. The higher trims featured a power liftgate and 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 keep an eye on and communicate with rear passengers.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The three-row RX 350 L had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h hybrid combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, with a CVT completing the powertrain. The RX hybrid models featured motors on both axles, adding 67 horsepower to the car. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it offered a smooth and connected driving experience. Fuel efficiency was a strong suit, with the RX 350 achieving 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h used 7.9 L/100 km combined. The RX F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was equipped with 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 had a 9-speed automatic for more refined acceleration and better fuel efficiency. The Pilot's V6 provided strong acceleration for real-world driving, though it wasn't the segment leader. The ride was comfortable and refined, ideal for commutes and road trips, but lacked athleticism. The Pilot featured the Intelligent Traction Management System with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes for various conditions, though it wasn't designed for off-roading.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior was not as minimalist or stylish as its German competitors, but it was functional. The two-row RX model comfortably seated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best for small children. The cabin was wide and tall, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct views of curbs and corners. The RX's cargo area was smaller than rivals, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on some models.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while Touring and Black Edition trims had optional captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, with ample head and legroom. The EX-L trim and higher featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 1,583 litres of cargo space, surpassing many rivals. The Pilot was designed for family use, with plenty of storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk to keep an eye on and communicate with rear passengers.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for 2020, including moving the display closer to the driver. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity helped mitigate issues. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other app compatibility. The centre console touchpad system was improved, and the RX had six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had a confusing layout, lacking a tuning knob and relying on the touchscreen for radio interaction. The EX-L trim added navigation, while Touring and Black Edition trims included a rear entertainment system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and upgraded audio system. The Pilot's technology was functional but could be frustrating to use.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera. The 2020 enhancements added features like daytime bicyclist detection and lane-tracing assist. The RX had a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2020 Honda Pilot included the HondaSensing suite, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard safety features included airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot 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.