2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited a dynamic styling that aligned with the contemporary Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot offered a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog gauges for fuel and engine temperature with a digital screen for other information. While the cabin was comfortable and spacious, it did incorporate hard plastics, which detracted from its overall refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot was available in several trims, with the EX trim recommended for its added features like remote start and Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey maintained a familiar look with minor updates to modernize its appearance, such as a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and new wheel designs for higher trims. The Odyssey's interior was praised for its upscale feel, especially in the Elite trim, which included perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting. The minivan offered a range of seating configurations with its Magic Slide second-row seats, enhancing its versatility. However, the need to physically remove the second-row seats to maximize cargo space was seen as a drawback. The Odyssey's cabin was equipped with numerous storage solutions, although the wireless smartphone charger in the Elite trim took up some space on the center console.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims featured a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims came with a 9-speed automatic for more refined acceleration. Despite its power, the Pilot was not the segment leader in acceleration but provided ample power for everyday driving. The ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered various drive modes, enhancing its capability in different conditions.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey shared the same 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower through a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Odyssey's drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, with paddle shifters for manual control. The V6 engine, combined with variable cylinder management, provided smooth power delivery and decent fuel efficiency, averaging 21.8 mpg in testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. The brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for further enhancement.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious cabin with seating for up to eight passengers, or seven with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims. Its third row was adult-friendly, and the EX trim and above featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the rear seats folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with its rivals. The SUV was designed for family use, with ample storage for toys and gear, and a conversation mirror to keep an eye on rear passengers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and storage, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and Magic Slide second-row seats for versatile seating arrangements. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity was cumbersome. The Odyssey's interior was well-equipped with storage solutions, though the wireless charger in the Elite trim occupied some console space.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's technology varied by trim, with the base LX featuring a 5-inch color LCD screen and a 7-speaker stereo. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the system's interface was criticized for its complexity. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims offered a premium audio system, navigation, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Pilot also featured Cabin Control Remote Capability, allowing rear passengers to control the stereo via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's technology started with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the EX trim, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control app. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi, and a CabinWatch camera. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker sound system and wireless charging. HondaLink subscription services provided additional features like remote engine start and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were noted drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional safety features included 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 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard HondaSensing on all trims, adding low-speed follow for adaptive cruise control and pedestrian braking. The Odyssey also featured road-sign recognition and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the EX trim. The Odyssey maintained its top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the adaptive cruise control's braking was noted as uneven.