2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited dynamic styling consistent with the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a sleeker appearance. Inside, the Pilot offered a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog and digital elements. While the cabin was spacious and comfortable, it used hard plastics in many areas, lacking the upscale feel of some competitors. The Pilot came in various trims, from the base LX to the luxurious Black Edition, each adding features like leather upholstery, power liftgate, and advanced audio systems.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, positioned between the UX and RX, maintained a sharp, streamlined profile. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX's design had become familiar over time. The interior, once radical, now seemed dated, with a stepped center console and plastic switchgear. The F Sport Black Line model added unique styling elements like a mesh grille and dark-finish wheels. While the design had its merits, the material quality felt more mainstream than luxury. The NX offered features like an F Sport heated steering wheel and NuLuxe upholstery, but the overall feel was less premium than expected.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options, with a 6-speed automatic transmission on lower trims and a 9-speed on higher ones. The V6 provided strong acceleration, suitable for everyday driving, though it wasn't the segment leader. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, ideal for commutes and road trips, with drive modes for various conditions.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a total of 194 horsepower. It came standard with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty look, the NX Hybrid was more focused on fuel efficiency than performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb. Drive modes like Eco and Sport offered minimal impact on performance, emphasizing the NX's efficiency over excitement.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious cabin for up to eight passengers, with second-row captain’s chairs available on higher trims. Its third row was adult-friendly, and the cargo space reached 83.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The Pilot excelled in family-friendly features, with ample storage and a conversation mirror for monitoring rear passengers.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had limited front and rear headroom, with rear legroom being the worst in its class. The front seats were comfortable, with power adjustments and available heating and ventilation. The sloping roofline and thick pillars hindered rear visibility. Cargo space was limited to 16.8 cubic feet with seats up and 53.7 cubic feet folded, making it less practical than competitors. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's base LX trim included a 5-inch LCD screen and a 7-speaker stereo. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was criticized for its confusing layout and lack of tuning knobs. Advanced features like navigation and a premium audio system were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, with an 8-inch display and a difficult-to-use Remote Touch Interface touchpad. While it supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, the system felt outdated. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system, but the base audio was subpar. Analog controls for climate and audio were a welcome addition.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star NHTSA rating and a "Good" IIHS score, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. It included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring was newly standard, but a 360-degree camera was absent.