New Special Edition trim level.Nine-speed automatic now standard on all Pilot trim levels.Base LX trim gets dual-zone climate control.
Pros A versatile, roomy interior with spacious rear seats Smooth and compliant ride in most conditions Better fuel economy than rivals Many clever storage compartments
Cons Collision warning and adaptive cruise control are overly sensitive Third-row access is narrow
The 2021 Honda Pilot's #12 ranking is based on its score within the Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Honda Pilot has a score of 7.8 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 48 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Smooth ride Adult-friendly seating Respectable cargo room
Cons Poor predicted reliability rating Limited standard infotainment tech
The 2021 Honda Pilot does a solid impression of a minivan, minus the cultural baggage..
Pros Seats up to eight adults—really Strong V-6 power Active safety tech comes standard Infotainment’s good (except for LX)
Cons Skimpy 5.0-inch base touchscreen Loses the panache wars to Hyundai/Kia 9-speed bobbles the occasional shift Top trims are pricey
The 2019 Buick Encore ranked #3 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Buick Encore has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 37 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Nice interior with lots of standard features User-friendly infotainment system Nimble handling
Cons Underpowered base engine Higher base price than rivals
The Encore's available trims have been downsized to the base and Preferred models for 2021. With the exception of adding Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Cinnabar Metallic exterior colors, Buick hasn't made any changes to its smallest SUV.
Pros Smooth ride, intuitive infotainment setup, surprisingly spacious cabin.
Cons Not as fuel efficient as key rivals, lacks standard safety tech, just plain slow.
Simplified trim lineup. Improved suite of driver safety aids.
Pros Hushed cabin at highway speeds Maneuverable size
Cons Tepid acceleration Limited feature availability Small cargo area Unimpressive fuel economy
