Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Which SUV is The Best?

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Did you know the Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot are top choices for families in the US? They sell over 350,000 units a year. Choosing between them can be tough. We’ll compare the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2024 Toyota Highlander to help you decide.

Looking for a roomy SUV or one that can handle off-road adventures? Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have great features. We’ll look at their engines, interiors, and more to find out which is the best.

The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are two top picks in the family SUV market. They offer roomy interiors, strong performance, and many features for today’s families. Let’s explore their current market status, main differences, and new updates.

Current Market Position

In 2023, Toyota sold 171,289 Highlanders, while Honda sold 110,298 Pilots. This shows the Highlander outsold the Pilot. Yet, the Pilot ranked second in the upper midsize SUV category by J.D. Power, with a score of 84/100. The Highlander scored 80.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • The Honda Pilot is a bit bigger, offering more cargo space than the Toyota Highlander.
  • The Highlander has a hybrid option, while the Pilot only has a gas engine.
  • The Pilot has a TrailSport trim for off-road adventures, while the Highlander focuses on fuel efficiency.

What’s New for 2024-2025

For 2024-2025, the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have made significant changes. The Honda Pilot got a 2023 redesign, making it roomier. The Toyota Highlander introduced a Grand Highlander variant for bigger families.

Both models dropped their base trims for better entry-level options. The Pilot added a TrailSport trim for better off-road performance. The Highlander keeps its hybrid options for better fuel efficiency.

Engine Performance and Powertrain Specifications

The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander have different engines. The 2024 Honda Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 engine. It makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander starts with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Highlander also has a hybrid option. This combines a 2.5-liter engine with electric motors for 243 horsepower and up to 36 mpg.

Both SUVs can be in front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). The Pilot has up to six drive modes, including Trail and Sand for AWD. This makes it versatile for different driving conditions.

SpecificationHonda PilotToyota Highlander
Engine3.5-liter V62.4-liter Turbo 4-cylinder / 2.5-liter Hybrid
Horsepower285 hp265 hp / 243 hp (Hybrid)
Torque262 lb-ft310 lb-ft / – (Hybrid)
Drivetrain OptionsFWD / AWDFWD / AWD
Drive Modes6 (including Trail and Sand)4 (Sport, Eco, Normal, Snow)

In summary, the Honda Pilot has a more powerful V6 engine. The Toyota Highlander offers a turbocharged four-cylinder or a hybrid. Both SUVs have various drivetrain options and drive modes for different needs and terrains.

Toyota highlander vs honda pilot: Price Comparison and Trim Levels

Choosing between the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot involves looking at price and trim levels. Let’s explore the value each offers as a popular family SUV.

Honda Pilot Trim Options and Pricing

The Honda Pilot has six trim levels, starting at $43,623 for the Sport model. The Black Edition is the top model at $56,129. The EX-L trim is a favorite, priced around $45,000, offering great value.

Toyota Highlander Model Range and Costs

The Toyota Highlander has five trim levels, starting at $41,955 for the LE model. The Platinum model tops out at $54,332. The XLE trim is a great choice, priced around $46,500, for its features and value.

Best Value Trims for Each Model

The Honda Pilot EX-L and Toyota Highlander XLE are the best values. The Pilot EX-L balances features and price well. The Highlander XLE is well-equipped at a good price. These trims are great for those looking for the best deal.

ModelTrimPrice RangeKey Features
Honda PilotEX-L$45,000Leather-wrapped steering wheel, power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, and more
Toyota HighlanderXLE$46,500Moonroof, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, smart key with push-button start, and more

The Toyota Highlander has a slight edge in base model value, with a lower starting price. The Pilot EX-L and Highlander XLE are the top choices for those wanting the best mix of features, performance, and price.

Interior Space and Comfort Features

The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot shine in interior space and comfort. The Honda Pilot has a roomier interior. It offers 40.5 inches of front headroom and 41 inches of front legroom. The third-row seats provide 32.5 inches of legroom, perfect for families.

The Toyota Highlander has a slightly smaller interior. It has 39.6 inches of front headroom. The Highlander’s third-row legroom is 28 inches, a bit less than the Pilot’s. Yet, both can seat up to 8 people, offering plenty of room for your family.

The Honda Pilot has a unique feature: a removable middle seat in the second row. This adds flexibility for carrying both people and things. Both SUVs offer premium features in higher trims, like leather seats and panoramic sunroofs.

The Honda Pilot also comes with heated front seats and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat. This makes for a comfortable and customizable drive. Overall, the Honda Pilot has a slight advantage in suv interior space and flexibility.

Cargo Capacity and Storage Solutions

The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are great for suv cargo space. The Pilot has up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row. It can grow to 113.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. The Highlander offers 16 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 84.3 cubic feet total.

The Grand Highlander is a new addition, offering 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. It has a total of 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This makes it a top pick for those needing lots of room.

Third-Row Space Comparison

The Pilot and Highlander both have plenty of room for the third row. But the Grand Highlander has more space, making it great for big families or extra passengers.

Maximum Cargo Volumes

The Pilot has the most cargo space at 113.7 cubic feet. The Highlander has 84.3 cubic feet. The Grand Highlander offers 97.5 cubic feet, making it a top choice for big items.

Flexible Storage Options

  • Both the Pilot and Highlander have 60/40-split folding third-row seats for different setups.
  • The Pilot’s easy-fold seats with pull straps and push-button make it easy to carry more.
  • The Pilot also has a hidden storage well and cargo area hooks for extra storage solutions.

The Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Grand Highlander offer many ways to carry things. They meet the needs of families and adventurers.

Technology and Infotainment Systems

When it comes to in-car technology and infotainment, both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot offer great features. The suv infotainment comparison shows some key differences between these two popular SUVs.

The Honda Pilot comes with a 7-inch touchscreen as standard. A bigger 9-inch display is available on higher trims. It also has wireless connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on upper trims. Plus, it has an available 12-speaker premium audio system for a better sound experience.

The Toyota Highlander has an 8-inch touchscreen as standard. An impressive 12.3-inch display is available as an upgrade. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available across the Highlander lineup. Toyota also offers an 11-speaker JBL sound system for those who love music.

Both SUVs have convenient wireless charging, head-up display, and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Honda Pilot also has the CabinTalk in-car PA system and Conversation Mirror. These features improve communication between the front and rear seats.

In summary, the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot offer a wide range of infotainment and connectivity features. They cater to the needs of modern families. Buyers should think about what they need to choose the right SUV for them.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are great at keeping your family safe. The Highlander has Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a top-notch set of safety features. It includes pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control. The Pilot has Honda Sensing, which offers similar safety features like collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control.

Standard Safety Equipment

Both SUVs also have many standard safety features. These include:

  • Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Automatic high beams
  • Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
  • LATCH child seat anchors

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

For even more safety, the Highlander and Pilot offer extra features. The Highlander has front and rear parking assist with automatic braking. The Pilot has a surround-view camera system and forward collision mitigation.

Safety Ratings Comparison

Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have earned top safety ratings. The 2024 models got the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This shows both brands’ dedication to suv safety features and driver assistance technology.

Fuel Economy and Performance Metrics

The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have different strengths when it comes to fuel efficiency and performance. The Highlander, including its hybrid models, has great suv fuel efficiency ratings. The standard Highlander gets 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The Highlander Hybrid, however, gets an amazing 35 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.

The Honda Pilot also has good mpg ratings, with 19 MPG city and 25 MPG highway for its all-wheel-drive version. But the Highlander’s smaller turbocharged engine is more fuel-efficient. The Pilot’s V6 engine, however, gives it a bit more power.

ModelCity MPGHighway MPGInvoice PriceMSRP
Honda Pilot Black Edition AWD1925$50,104$54,580
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 25th Anniversary Edition AWD3534$48,285$52,680

Both the Highlander and Pilot can tow up to 5,000 lbs when equipped properly. This makes them great for towing trailers or boats. The Highlander Hybrid, though, can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.

In summary, the Toyota Highlander, especially its hybrid models, shines with its suv fuel efficiency. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, offers a spacious cabin and good mpg ratings. Your choice between these SUVs will depend on what matters most to you.

Conclusion

The toyota highlander vs honda pilot debate is a tough one. Both are top picks for families in the U.S. The Honda Pilot has more room inside and can carry more stuff. It also has a special TrailSport trim for off-roading.

The Toyota Highlander is better for saving gas, especially with its hybrid models. It also starts at a lower price, making it a good deal.

The Toyota Grand Highlander is a new option that offers more space and luxury. Your choice between the Pilot and Highlander depends on what you need most. Do you want more room, better gas mileage, or a lower price?

Both SUVs are well-made and offer great features for families. They are both excellent choices for a family suv choice.

Choosing between the best midsize suv from Honda or Toyota is a good problem to have. Think about what you need and try out both. See which one fits your life best and offers the best mix of usefulness, efficiency, and fun.

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Celica come back

December 13, 2024

Very informative and useful, details.

John Tjon

Good article

December 12, 2024

A lot information, thanks

Julia

Top top toyota

December 12, 2024

Celica 2025 is a top model of Toyota,

Julia

New Celica

December 9, 2024

I drove an ’81 from ’85 til ’99 and loved it. Then I got my first Nissan 240 SX. Twenty five years later, I’m on my fourth 240. Any chance of a 240SX comeback?

John

Toyota riders . Com

December 6, 2024

Very informative

Sk

toyotariders

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