2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback featured Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly unchanged, had 90% new parts and offered 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used infrared to detect and alert sleepy or distracted drivers and adjusted settings via facial recognition.

The 2020 Outback came in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, added the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, included blind-spot monitoring, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, featured the turbo engine, heated rear seats, and off-road capabilities. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims added the turbo engine for $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared dynamic styling with the rest of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its belt-line design masked its size, giving it a sleeker appearance. Inside, the Pilot had a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog and digital displays. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, though it used hard plastics in many areas, making it less upscale compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

The Pilot came in six trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The LX included 18-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and power windows. The EX trim, recommended by CarGurus, added remote start, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and tri-zone climate control. The EX-L trim featured leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a power moonroof. The Touring trim added 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and an upgraded stereo. The Elite trim included power-folding side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Black Edition, new for 2020, featured unique black-painted wheels and exterior accents.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The upgraded 2.5-liter engine produced 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, with 26 mpg city and 33 highway. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims delivered 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was a standout feature, providing consistent power delivery and reducing wear on components. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle off-road conditions, though it wasn’t designed for extreme off-roading. The Onyx XT trim’s upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission on LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 9-speed transmission provided smoother acceleration and better fuel economy.

The Pilot’s V6 engine offered strong acceleration for everyday driving, though it wasn’t the segment leader. The ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System allowed drivers to select from Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes, adjusting drivetrain and traction control settings for various conditions.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, a station wagon, offered functional benefits such as ample passenger and cargo space, a low load height, and a lower center of gravity for better handling and braking. It provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with enough room for a 6’4” driver to sit comfortably in both the front and rear seats. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while higher trims offered second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher had one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The Pilot had plenty of storage spaces for family use, and higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, it suffered from lag, affecting functions like navigation and radio station changes. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the system had potential if Subaru addressed the lag and camera quality.

The 2020 Honda Pilot’s LX trim had a 5-inch color LCD screen, while other trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Display Audio system had a confusing layout and lacked a tuning knob, making it less user-friendly. Higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM, and a Cabin Control Remote Capability. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims had a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system and mobile hotspot capability. The Elite and Black Edition also featured a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and Subaru’s EyeSight system. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was unreliable and often gave false alerts. Despite this, the Outback’s safety features were impressive for its price.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also had front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, 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.