2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to give the SUV a more rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its 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 feel, did not enhance the Pilot's appeal. Quality materials were evident, but the design choices, such as the hard-to-clean floor mats, were less practical for pet owners.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, reminiscent of the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. While the exterior design paid homage to its heritage, the modern Defender was larger, offering improved interior space and ergonomics. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery. This approach maintained the Defender's off-road character without compromising on luxury, making it a practical choice for adventurous drivers.

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 powered all four wheels through a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, enhancing traction and handling. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 10.9 L/100 km in testing. While its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles, the Pilot excelled in providing a comfortable ride and responsive handling on pavement.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower. The new V8 engine, producing 518 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance, accelerating the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The Defender's off-road prowess was supported by a 4WD system with low range, impressive ground clearance, and advanced off-road technologies. Despite its rugged capabilities, the Defender provided a comfortable on-road experience, making it a versatile choice for both urban and off-road adventures.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, with seating for up to eight people. The Black Edition featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, while second-row captain’s chairs provided additional comfort. The Pilot's interior was designed for practicality, with abundant storage options and a power tailgate for easy access to the cargo area. With up to 3,092 litres of cargo space, the Pilot was well-suited for family road trips.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender, available in two-door and four-door configurations, offered flexible seating and cargo options. The Defender 90's rear seats were surprisingly comfortable, while the Defender 110 provided more cargo space, with up to 1,875 litres available. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. Land Rover also offered exterior cargo solutions, such as a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes, enhancing the Defender's practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered additional features, such as a built-in navigation system, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim included a rear-seat entertainment system, enhancing the Pilot's appeal for families. However, the infotainment system's interface was less intuitive, and some features were limited to higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The Defender's user interface was well-designed, though the touchscreen required a firm touch. Standard features included a surround-view camera system, with optional upgrades such as a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display, enhancing the Defender's technological appeal.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. While the system was effective, it lacked refinement. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist technologies, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. While the Defender lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, its suite of safety features aligned with those of other luxury brands.