2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh for a more rugged look and a 2020 Black Edition for a blacked-out appearance, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an extra $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, fully loaded with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, had a window sticker of $51,435. It featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but the black mats were a hassle to clean, especially with pets. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not do the Pilot any favors.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, had a design that aged well despite updates over the years. Most versions had a rugged, aggressive look, except for the chrome-heavy Limited trim. The two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches gave it balanced proportions and timeless styling. Toyota offered the 4Runner in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, Venture Special Edition, and Nightshade Special Edition. Prices ranged from $36,950 for the SR5 with rear-wheel drive to $50,570 for the TRD Pro with four-wheel drive. The Trail Special Edition, priced at $38,565 for the rear-wheel-drive model, added features like a premium audio upgrade, cargo cover, and TRD front skid plate, bringing the total to $43,729. Limited to 4,000 units, it came in four colors and featured dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. Inside, it had black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, a sliding rear cargo tray, and a custom-made 40-quart cooler. The interior was practical with hard plastic materials, big knobs, and manual air conditioning, adding to its rugged charm.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and refined, providing quick acceleration. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system that could send up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot included Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start helped achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model, with a test average of 21.5 mpg. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. The steering and brakes were well-calibrated, though the brakes could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires, making it suitable for minor off-road situations but not extreme conditions.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, tested at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, showcased its off-road prowess. The Trail Special Edition, equipped with A-Trac off-road traction control, handled mud, hills, and ruts with ease. A 4.0-liter V6 engine produced 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The part-time 4WD system required manual shifting into 4-Hi or 4-Lo. The maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with heavy steering and brakes. Its truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm but could be challenging for daily use. The EPA rated it at 17 mpg combined, with a test average of 16.8 mpg, giving it a range of about 385 miles with a 23-gallon fuel tank.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats and sliding forward for third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low, flat cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation on higher trims. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet maximum.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, which could be challenging for shorter individuals without running boards. Once inside, the seats were comfortable, with ample legroom and good visibility in the back. The rear seat had air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The test vehicle lacked a third-row seat but featured a sliding cargo deck with a 440-pound capacity. Cargo space was up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Trail Special Edition's roof rack added extra storage. Interior storage was decent, with practical features like the back bumper serving as a seat for various activities.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium 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 also included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had limited technology. It included a windshield wiper de-icer and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. It came with a year of free Safety Connect services and a three-month WiFi Connect trial. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist. The system had physical shortcut buttons and knobs, making it easy to use, even with gloves. The 8-inch screen was small, but the functionality was impressive.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, it also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but lacked refinement. The lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was noticeable. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating for roof crush strength from the IIHS. However, it had a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision and a three-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact crash. These ratings reflected the SUV's age and older safety design.