2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was designed with practicality and utility in mind. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for a robust appearance. The Ascent's roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trims added to its functional design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The test vehicle, a Touring trim priced at $46,285, featured a stylish Abyss Blue Pearl exterior and Java Brown leather interior, exuding a sense of quality and thoughtful design.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, from the base LX at $32,250 to the Black Edition at $49,920, with FWD standard and AWD optional for $2,000 on most trims. The new Special Edition trim at $38,960 added black 20-inch wheels, blacked-out trim, wireless charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The test vehicle, a Black Edition with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, totaled $51,435. It featured exclusive black leather with red accents and ambient lighting, though the black floor mats were prone to collecting pet hair. The Pilot's interior, with quality materials and a minivan-like front seat layout, offered practicality but lacked excitement.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and AWD. This setup provided good acceleration and maintained power at high elevations. However, it was fuel-thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg on the test loop, below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow and numb steering, and the suspension struggled with pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, had issues with power delivery and a cheap-feeling shifter. Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot's AWD system could direct up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic stop/start, with the AWD model averaging 21.5 mpg on the test loop, close to the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat had 10-way power adjustment, and both front seats had significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench or captain's chairs, with the latter providing comfort and sliding functionality. The third-row seat was accessible and suitable for short trips. Cargo space was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench. The test vehicle's front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The second-row captain's chairs, standard on higher trims, were comfortable and heated, with side window shades and tri-zone climate control. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low cushion. Storage was abundant, with door panel compartments, a large center console, and front seatback pockets with smartphone holders. The power tailgate revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security services. The Touring trim improved the screen resolution and added navigation. The system had stereo knobs and separate climate controls but lacked advanced voice recognition. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. The premium Harman Kardon speakers provided excellent sound, and USB ports were available in all three rows. The Ascent also featured a 180-degree front and rear camera view and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. Voice recognition required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system, a 115-volt outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature for communication with rear passengers. The entertainment system supported DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming apps.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured Subaru's EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected alerts onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. Starlink Safety Plus services were free for three years, with Security Plus available for six months, offering remote engine start and other features.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing was functional but lacked refinement. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite four-star marks for front-passenger protection. The IIHS gave the Pilot "good" ratings, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection. The standard headlights earned an "acceptable" rating, while higher trims received a "good" rating.