2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and LT trims featured unique grille patterns, while the RST trim boasted a sporty blacked-out look with 22-inch wheels. The Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, with a rugged front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, and the High Country trim exuded luxury with a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille and standard LED headlights, with a more expressive rear featuring quad-outlet dual exhausts. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim tested at $80,293, including various option packages.

Inside, the Tahoe's interior was centred around a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, which improved storage capacity but compromised control layout. The LS trim featured cloth seats, while leather became standard from the LT trim onwards. The Premier and High Country trims offered perforated leather in various colours. The Z71 trim tested met quality expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while hard plastic covered the lower half. The Tahoe's interior was spacious, with a maximum seating capacity of eight, though the front bench seat was no longer available.

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 five trims in Canada, including the LX, EX, EX-L Navi, Touring, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $42,905 to $56,805. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada, with no front-wheel-drive option. The Black Edition, tested at $58,806, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. However, its black mats were prone to collecting pet hair.

The Pilot's interior showcased quality materials, including hard plastic panels. Its design resembled a minivan, with a flat dashboard, thin windshield pillars, and a low centre console. While this layout provided practicality, it did not enhance the Pilot's aesthetic appeal. The Black Edition's interior included heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the third-row seat comfort was average for its class, with a low and flat bottom cushion. The Pilot offered ample storage, with a power tailgate and a hidden storage compartment for smaller items. Cargo space was competitive, with 524 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,092 litres.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-litre V8 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine was available for all trims except the Z71, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and off-road enhancements. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle an 831-kilogram payload. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-litre V8 engine and 10-speed transmission provided ample power and refinement, with a combined fuel efficiency of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered all four wheels through a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, capable of directing up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot included Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with driving modes for various conditions. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with a combined fuel efficiency of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and agile handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch alloy wheels. The steering and brakes were responsive, though the brakes could heat up with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by the Pilot's ground clearance and approach angles, but it could handle minor challenges.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a standout feature, offering a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo space was impressive, with 722 litres behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for families, with seating for up to eight people. The test vehicle's front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were standard on the Black Edition, offering comfort and sliding forward for third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, centre console, and seatback pockets. The Pilot's power tailgate revealed 524 litres of cargo space behind the third row, with a maximum of 3,092 litres. A hidden storage compartment kept smaller items organized.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, though its capabilities were not fully tested. A 15-inch head-up display was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX-L Navi trim added navigation, while the Touring trim offered wireless charging, a premium audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice prompts. The Touring trim also included a rear-seat entertainment system with Cabin Talk, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers or headphones. The system played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features, including Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot's Honda Sensing system was functional but not refined. NHTSA gave the Pilot a five-star overall rating, while IIHS awarded it "good" ratings, with an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.