2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2020 Honda Pilot was characterized by its dynamic styling, aligning with the contemporary Honda lineup. It featured thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille, with a subtle belt-line uptick around the rear side windows that cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, where analog fuel and engine-temperature gauges complemented a digital screen displaying other information. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, though it incorporated hard plastics in several areas, which detracted from its overall refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot offered various trim levels, from the base LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding more features and upscale touches, such as leather upholstery, power liftgate, and advanced infotainment options.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, meanwhile, was introduced as a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, capturing some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart. It presented a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs designed for optimal off-road performance. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with minimal Ford branding. Wheel options varied across trims, enhancing both its look and off-road capabilities. Inside, the Bronco Sport featured a rugged yet uncluttered design, with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, and practical features like a rubberized cargo floor for easy cleaning.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with either a 6-speed automatic transmission on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims or a 9-speed automatic on the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims. The 9-speed transmission offered smoother acceleration and potentially better fuel economy. Despite its unconventional shifter button setup, the Pilot's V6 provided strong acceleration for everyday driving, though it wasn't the fastest in its class. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, enhancing traction in various conditions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims were equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable commuter, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious cabin with seating for up to eight passengers, though higher trims with second-row captain’s chairs reduced capacity to seven. Unlike some competitors, the Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and above featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot was designed for family use, with ample storage for toys and gear, and features like a conversation mirror to keep an eye on rear passengers.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active lifestyles with features like cargo space designed to fit two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 150 pounds. The cargo area included clever features like a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers. The Bronco Sport's interior was designed for practicality, with features like rubberized flooring for easy cleaning.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's base LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen and a 215-watt stereo system. Higher trims included an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the system's interface was criticized for its complexity. Additional features on higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims offered navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium audio system, with the Elite and Black Edition also featuring a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot as standard. Higher trims could be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with advanced off-road technology like trail control available. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all but the Base model, and higher trims featured a digital instrument panel.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, which included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured standard airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control, with optional parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite as standard, offering features like pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with built-in safety features. However, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available for the Bronco Sport.