2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, offered a unique aesthetic. However, the interior, with its flat dashboard and minivan-like front seat design, did not impress everyone. The Pilot's quality materials were evident, but the hard plastic panels and drab exterior design were less appealing.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates, including the Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was coherent despite its massive grille, appealing to those seeking a tough, aggressive look. However, the interior fell short of modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The semi-aniline leather was a redeeming feature, but overall, the GX's interior felt dated.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, delivering smooth and refined power. Its nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction, with up to 70% of engine output directed to a single rear wheel. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 10.9 L/100 km. Its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, though off-road capability was limited by its modest ground clearance.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine with 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, was coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample grunt, the GX's weight affected high-speed performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride compared to unibody SUVs. However, the GX excelled off-road with its Torsen centre differential, low-range 4WD, and Multi-Terrain Select system, offering impressive ground clearance and towing capacity.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered 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 were nearly as comfortable as the front seats, and the third-row seat, while not ideal for adults, provided mid-pack comfort. The Pilot excelled in storage, with numerous compartments and a generous cargo capacity of up to 3,092 litres.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel angle. The dashboard design offered excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage was limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX's third-row seats were best suited for children, and accessing them was challenging. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded, making the GX more suitable as a two-row SUV.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added wireless phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium audio system. While the system was adequate, it lacked a tuning knob and had limited HondaLink services. The Touring trim also included a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options, though kids might prefer using the Wi-Fi for their devices.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but the infotainment system's graphics were outdated. The touchscreen was complemented by analog controls, offering a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. However, the overall tech offering was primitive for a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS, though some areas received lower marks.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models. The GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.