2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda Pilot

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, though its minivan-like front seat design and drab exterior did not appeal to everyone.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models but with a fresher interior. The base trim featured dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display. Quality materials were evident, and the Outdoor XT trim added a rugged touch with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding and smooth styling, maintaining its identity as a lifted wagon rather than a typical SUV.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD. It offered a smooth and refined driving experience, with a fuel efficiency of 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving. The Pilot's handling was unexpectedly athletic, aided by its suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-litre flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with 22 cm of ground clearance and Subaru's proactive AWD system. X-Mode further enhanced its off-road prowess, making it more capable than many crossovers and SUVs.

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 front seats with heating and ventilation, while second-row captain’s chairs offered similar comfort. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. The Pilot excelled in storage, with numerous compartments and a power tailgate revealing 524 litres of cargo space, expandable to 3,092 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided excellent visibility and comfort, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage solutions were practical, though some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were not standard. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited HondaLink services. The Touring trim featured a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing advanced safety features. The single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, despite some usability challenges.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with some areas for improvement in lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and additional airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were standard on higher trims. It earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, with excellent crash-test results and advanced safety features.