2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, with AWD as standard. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, offered a premium feel but struggled with practical issues like pet hair on its black mats. The interior, reminiscent of a minivan, featured quality materials but lacked excitement due to its drab design.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy stood out with its distinctive grille, unique lighting, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior boasted quilted Nappa leather and a suede headliner, giving it a luxurious feel. While opinions on its styling varied, the Palisade's upscale appearance made it seem more expensive than it was. The cabin's premium materials and design elements set it apart in the midsize three-row SUV class, offering a sense of luxury at a competitive price.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, delivering a smooth and refined driving experience. Its nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD system provided excellent traction and handling, with driving modes for various conditions. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 L/100 km, with the test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. The Pilot's suspension offered a comfortable ride and agile handling, though its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade, equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower, offered a powerful and quiet ride. Its 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada provided versatility with multiple driving modes, including a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.1 L/100 km, matching the test vehicle's performance. The Palisade's firmer suspension delivered excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not particularly sporty. It excelled in typical driving scenarios, offering ease of operation and impressive Highway Driving Assist technology.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a bench second-row seat. The Black Edition featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs offered comfort and flexibility, while the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults. The Pilot boasted extensive storage options and a power tailgate, with cargo space ranging from 524 litres to a maximum of 3,092 litres.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and accessibility, offering a plush experience in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Front seats were power-adjustable, with heated and ventilated options extending to the second row. The third-row seat was more accommodating than most competitors. The Palisade provided ample in-cabin storage and a hands-free Smart Liftgate, with cargo space ranging from 509 litres to 2,447 litres. The power-folding second-row seats added convenience for expanding cargo capacity.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system. The system was adequate but lacked some modern conveniences, such as a tuning knob and advanced voice recognition. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature for communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featuring a 10.25-inch display. It included SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade supported dual Bluetooth connections and wireless smartphone charging, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were limited to the smaller screen. Additional features included a Driver Talk intercom, Quiet Mode, and a head-up display, enhancing the overall technology experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. While effective, the system lacked refinement. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and high scores from IIHS, except for an "acceptable" rating in some areas.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping systems. It included a rear occupant alert system and advanced blind-spot monitoring on higher trims. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist provided smooth and sophisticated assistance, though it required driver attention. It earned top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring excellent protection for occupants.