2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to blend rugged styling with the practicality expected from an SUV. Despite efforts to enhance its appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Black Edition, in particular, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, adding a touch of sophistication. However, the interior, with its flat dashboard and minivan-like feel, did not quite match the rugged exterior aspirations. The Pilot's design was functional, with quality materials throughout, but it lacked the visual appeal that some buyers sought.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza boasted a modern and elegant design, reminiscent of a Lexus. Its sleek proportions and distinctive features, such as the scalloped body side and LED tailgate lighting, gave it a sophisticated look. The Venza's interior continued this theme, offering a Lexus-like ambiance with high-quality materials and a well-thought-out layout. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with supportive front seats and ample room for rear passengers. The Venza's design was more refined and suited for urban environments, emphasizing style and comfort over ruggedness.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system enhancing its performance. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 10.9 L/100 km during testing. Its suspension system offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly agile handling, making it enjoyable on paved roads. However, its off-road capabilities were limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. This setup allowed for efficient and balanced performance, with the option for electric-only operation for short distances. The Venza's handling was agile, thanks to its shared platform with the Camry, but it was not designed for aggressive cornering. Instead, it excelled as a comfortable and efficient family vehicle, offering a smooth and serene ride.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, accommodating up to eight passengers with its versatile seating configurations. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, while the second-row captain's chairs offered additional comfort and convenience. The third-row seats, though less comfortable for adults, were suitable for short trips. The Pilot excelled in storage options, with numerous compartments and a generous cargo capacity of up to 3,092 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, with its two-row seating, offered a spacious and comfortable cabin for five passengers. The interior was thoughtfully designed, with convenient features like an electric parking brake and sliding sun visors. The Venza's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 1,560 litres of space available when the rear seats were folded. Toyota prioritized a quiet and serene cabin environment, incorporating sound-blocking materials throughout the vehicle.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. While the system was functional, it lacked some modern conveniences, such as a tuning knob and advanced voice recognition. Higher trims offered additional features like a rear-seat entertainment system and wireless phone charging, but these were limited to more expensive models.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a JBL audio system, and a head-up display. The Venza's hybrid technology was seamlessly integrated, with features like Predicted Efficient Drive optimizing battery usage. Toyota Connected Services provided additional convenience and safety features, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While effective, the system was not as refined as newer versions. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Venza was equipped with the Toyota Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive array of safety features. These included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Venza received top safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.