Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot

Let’s compare the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, two popular midsize SUVs in the market, in various aspects:

1. Exterior Design: Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have a sleek and modern design with bold grille and sharp lines. The Highlander has a more conservative and refined look, while the Pilot has a more rugged and aggressive appearance.
2. Interior Space: Both SUVs offer spacious and comfortable interiors with three rows of seating, capable of accommodating up to eight passengers. The Highlander has slightly more passenger space in the first and second rows, while the Pilot offers more third-row legroom and headroom. Both vehicles provide ample cargo space, but the Pilot has a slight edge with more cargo capacity behind the third row.
3. Performance: The Toyota Highlander comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and offers smooth and refined performance. The Honda Pilot also has a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, but it generates slightly more power at 280 horsepower. Both vehicles offer available all-wheel drive (AWD) for better traction and handling on slippery surfaces.
4. Fuel Efficiency: The Toyota Highlander has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, which is impressive for a midsize SUV. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is slightly lower than the Highlander.
5. Safety Features: Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot come with a wide array of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Toyota Highlander offers Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes additional safety features like intersection turn assist and emergency steering assist, while the Honda Pilot offers the Honda Sensing suite of safety features.
6. Technology: Both vehicles offer a good range of standard and available technology features, such as touchscreen infotainment systems, smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports. The Highlander has a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, while the Pilot offers a slightly larger 8-inch or an available 10.2-inch touchscreen display.

However, there are some areas where the Toyota Highlander may be considered better than the Honda Pilot, based on factors such as customer reviews, expert ratings, and market trends. These areas include:

Reliability: Toyota is well-known for its reputation of producing reliable vehicles, and the Highlander is no exception. It has consistently received high reliability ratings from sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, which can be an important consideration for many car buyers.

Resale Value: Toyota vehicles are often known for their strong resale value, and the Highlander is not an exception. Due to its reputation for reliability and durability, the Highlander tends to hold its value well over time, which can be advantageous if you plan to sell or trade-in the vehicle in the future.

Standard Safety Features: The Toyota Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of standard advanced safety features that includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and more. While the Honda Pilot also offers a similar suite of safety features, the Toyota Safety Sense system is often praised for its effectiveness and ease of use.

Fuel Efficiency: The Toyota Highlander offers slightly better fuel economy compared to the Honda Pilot, with EPA-estimated ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the base V6 engine. This can result in potential savings on fuel costs over time.

Brand Reputation: Toyota has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality vehicles with a focus on durability, safety, and customer satisfaction. Toyota consistently ranks highly in reliability and customer satisfaction surveys, which can be reassuring to potential buyers.

Wide Range of Hybrid Options: The Toyota Highlander offers a hybrid powertrain option, which provides improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared to the gasoline-only models. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, does not currently offer a hybrid option, which may be a factor to consider for those who prioritize eco-friendly driving.