2021 Honda Pilot vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

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. Available in five trims in Canada, the Pilot offered standard all-wheel drive and a price range from $42,905 to $56,805. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, was priced at $58,806 with a destination charge. While quality materials were evident, the interior design resembled a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not appeal to everyone.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, offering a similar but distinct design with a unique Infiniti grille. The QX80's LED lighting and tasteful chrome use added an upscale look, complemented by 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels. Inside, the QX80 featured upscale materials like quilted semi-aniline leather seats and wood trim, though its style was becoming outdated. Despite its luxurious cabin, the QX80 struggled to meet the high expectations of the premium full-size SUV market, falling short compared to its competitors.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, offering a smooth and refined driving experience. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. Its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and agile handling, though off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 boasted a 400-horsepower, 5.6-litre V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque, delivering robust performance and a pleasing exhaust note. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the QX80 offered smooth power delivery and quick gear shifts. Its four-wheel-drive system, based on the Nissan Patrol, provided ample off-road capability with over 23 cm of ground clearance. The QX80's towing capacity was an impressive 3,855 kg, and its Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight people, with comfortable and supportive front seats featuring power adjustments. Second-row captain's chairs were optional, providing nearly equal comfort to the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. 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 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height. Inside, it offered a spacious cabin with good head- and legroom, though not as generous as some competitors. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to rivals, with 470 litres behind the third row and 2,694 litres with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were slow to operate, but the cabin featured premium touches like illuminated kick plates.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim included a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature. While adequate, the system's small screen and limited HondaLink services were drawbacks.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 included a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A Bose 17-speaker sound system was standard, along with a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system lacked HDMI adapters, causing inconvenience. The absence of ProPilot Assist was notable, as it was available in less expensive models.

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 a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and "good" ratings from IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score in one area.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured standard safety equipment like forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Additional features included driver attention alert and adaptive cruise control. The QX80's crash-test ratings were limited, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and no IIHS ratings available.