2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The new 2021 Subaru Ascent comes highly decorated and well-appointed at any trim. But how does the Ascent compare to the 2021 Honda Pilot, one of its key competitors? Let’s compare the 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot below to see which SUV best meets your needs and matches your active lifestyle in Capitola and beyond. You’ll note that in a matchup of Ascent vs. Pilot, the 2021 Subaru Ascent provides more overall passenger space, more cargo space, and greater ground clearance, not to mention some additional niceties like standard Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive. Learn more about these two SUVs by comparing the Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Ascent down below, or contact us with any additional questions you have.

Ascent vs. Pilot: Passenger & Cargo Space

When comparing the Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Ascent, you’ll notice that both SUVs are built to be people-haulers for discerning Scotts Valley families. That means, in either SUV, you’ll find three rows of seating standard. But just how much space is really in each of these mainstay family-friendly SUVs? Compare the Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot interior measurements, below:

2021 Subaru Ascent Interior & Cargo Space

• Passenger Capacity: You can accommodate 7 or 8 passengers in the Subaru Ascent interior, depending on the configuration and seating options.
• Passenger Volume: The Subaru Ascent interior boasts 153.5 cubic feet of total passenger volume, making it more spacious than the Honda Pilot interior.
• Cargo Volume: The Subaru Ascent has up to 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use, 47.6 cubic feet with just the first two rows of seating in use, and a total of 86.5 cubic feet of cargo space with just the front row seats in use.

2021 Honda Pilot Interior & Cargo Space

• Passenger Capacity: In the Honda Pilot, there’s room for 7 or 8 passengers, depending on the configuration and seating choices.
• Passenger Volume: There’s up to 152.9 cubic feet inside the Honda Pilot cabin, which is spacious, but not as much so as the Subaru Ascent.
• Cargo Volume: You’ll find 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the Honda Pilot with all seats in use, 46.8 cubic feet with just the first two rows of seating in use, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space with just the front row in use. That means no matter which way you slice it, the Ascent has more cargo space than the Pilot.

Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot: Power & Drivetrain Technology

When you compare the Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot engines, the former SUV offers a 2.5L 4-cylinder compared to a 3.5L V6 in the latter SUV. Why is this significant? Though the Pilot engine is inherently larger, the Ascent engine offers the torquey performance you’d expect from a turbocharged engine, making it fun to drive.
What’s more, the 2021 Subaru Ascent gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway whereas the Pilot can’t quite match that fuel economy. Perhaps most importantly, though, is how these SUVs differ regarding drivetrains:

• Subaru Ascent Standard Drivetrain: Subaru Symmetrical AWD
• Honda Pilot Standard Drivetrain: FWD

Why is the standard drivetrain a key factor when comparing the Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Ascent? With standard Subaru Symmetrical AWD in the Ascent, you’ll have the confidence to travel just about anywhere in and around San Jose. Rainy days in the city are easier to navigate, as are the rugged dirt roads that lead to your favorite hiking trails. The Honda Pilot can manage these terrains, sure, but you’re in for a far less comfortable ride with its standard FWD configuration.

Ascent vs. Pilot: Towing & Ground Clearance

When it comes to capability and the Ascent vs. Pilot, the Subaru clearly offers more, thanks to a unique blend of impressive ground clearance, standard AWD, and a great towing capacity. Compare the ground clearance and towing capacity of the Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot in detail, here:

• Subaru Ascent Ground Clearance: 8.7 inches
• Honda Pilot Ground Clearance: 7.0 inches
• Subaru Ascent Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
• Honda Pilot Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs

Test Drive the Subaru Ascent at Santa Cruz Subaru!

If you’re ready to see for yourself all the amazing features that choosing a new Ascent vs. Pilot can offer you, check out our new Ascent inventory online at Santa Cruz Subaru near Aptos. When you’re ready to apply for financing, you can do that online, too! Be sure to also check out our money-saving new Subaru incentives!

Here at Santa Cruz Subaru, it’s our pleasure to provide SUV shoppers like you from Monterey to Watsonville with the right information and the right selection, so you can drive away confidently in the direction of your dreams!

Disclaimers:

*2020 Honda Pilot Shown

***MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,120.00 destination charge and options. Dealers set own prices.