2023 Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Comparison
Highlighted Features
2023 Highlander
2023Pilot
Base MSRP
$36,620
$39,500
Engine
2.4L inline 4-cylinder
3.5L V6
Horsepower
265
285
Adaptive cruise control
Yes
Yes
Speakers
6
7
Estimated Combined (MPG)
25
22
Whole vehicle warranty months / (miles)
36 / 36000
36 / 36000
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Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Performance
- Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have plenty of power, but the Highlander produces greater torque, making it ideal for towing and transporting goods and groups of people. The Highlander’s 2.4L turbocharged engine with Stop and Start Engine System (S&S) generates 265 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Pilot’s 3.5L V6 engine generates 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque.
- The Toyota Highlander comes equipped with a Direct Shift-8AT 8-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECT), while the Honda Pilot comes with a 10-speed Automatic Transmission (10AT) with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) and Paddle Shifters.
- Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are available in FWD and AWD. All gas models of the Toyota Highlander have a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. In contrast, the FWD models of the Honda Pilot have a max towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Only the AWD models of the Honda Pilot have a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
- The Highlander enjoys a reputation for having refined riding characteristics with its unibody design, Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, and trailing-wishbone suspension. The Honda Pilot midsize SUV uses a MacPherson Strut Front Suspension and Multi-Link Rear Suspension.
- Experience powerful performance and peak practicality with the Toyota Highlander’s hybrid powertrain. A combination of a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and up to 3 permanent synchronous motors (2 front, 1 rear in AWD models) grant the Highlander Hybrid a system power output of 243 net horsepower. The Honda Pilot is not available in a hybrid model.
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Fuel Economy
- The Toyota Highlander has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 36 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and an overall combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg.
- The base trim 2WD Honda Pilot Sport has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. The Honda Pilot is not available in a hybrid model.
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Technology
- The Toyota Highlander base grade starts with an 8-inch touchscreen, but an intuitive and immersive 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia color touchscreen is available on the XLE and XSE and standard on the Limited and higher grades, including Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, and Bronze Edition. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial are included for all Highlander models.
- On the other hand, the Honda Pilot has a 7-inch Color Touchscreen on the LX and Sport, while a 9-inch color Touchscreen is standard on the EX-L and higher. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and a 3-month SiriusXM Platinum plan trial are only standard on the EX-L and higher trims of the Honda Pilot, unlike on the Highlander, which features these as standard across the line.
- Finding the fastest route is easier with the Toyota Highlander’s available Drive Connect trial. A subscription is required after trial ends, and this service is dependent on a 4G connection. Drive Connect includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, voice recognition capability, and Destination Assist. The Honda Pilot also comes with an available navigation service via the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition.
- The Toyota Highlander also comes with a USB-A media port, four USB-C charge ports, two 12V outlets, hands-free smartphone capability, and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology. The Honda Pilot also comes with a USB-A media port but features only two charge ports on the LX and Sport, and 4 ports on the EX-L and higher.
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Safety & Convenience
- The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot both have an Overall Crash rating of 5 from the NHTSA, which is the highest achievable rating in any crash category. Both midsize SUVs have a frontal crash rating of 4, a side impact rating of 5, and rollover crash ratings of 4.
- The Toyota Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) active safety suite, which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
- The Honda Pilot comes with Honda Sensing® Driver Assistive Features. These features include Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, Rear Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, Low Speed Brake Function, and Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System. Additionally, this suite of safety features includes Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Jam Assist, Lead Car Departure Notification System, Traffic Sign Recognition System, and Auto High-Beam. Finally, this Honda safety suite includes Adaptive Driving Beam, Parking Sensor System, Unintended Acceleration Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Monitor, and Honda Parking Pilot.
- A multi-angle rearview camera is standard on all Highlander Platinum models and available on the Limited models via the SB package - Panoramic View Monitor option. Similarly, the Honda Pilot comes with a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera.
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Warranty
- Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot come with a 60-month/unlimited mileage Corrosion Perforation warranty, a 60-month/60,000-mile Powertrain warranty, and a 36-month/36,000-mile Basic Warranty.
- Doubling down on durability and reliability, all Toyota Highlanders come with ToyotaCare, which covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles (whichever one comes first), as well as 24-Hour Roadside Assistance for two years and unlimited mileage. The Honda Pilot comes with Service Pass, which covers factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles. The Pilot also comes with roadside assistance for the duration of its Limited Warranty.
- Toyota Highlander owners have the option for ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive, which covers four years/45,000 miles (whichever one comes first) from the date of first use. The Pilot also offers additional Honda Care plans.
Design
- Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot provide ample seating for up to 8 and plenty of cargo space. The Highlander features second-row fold-down captain's chairs or optional 60/40 split, fold-flat second-row bench seats. The Highlander also comes with 60/40 split, fold-flat, reclining third-row seats with sliding headrests for enhanced passenger comfort. The official features and specs from Honda's website include a flat-folding 3rd-row bench seat with a 60/40 split but does not explicitly list a reclining feature for the third row on the Pilot.
- The Highlander has 16 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the 3rd row, while the Honda Pilot offers 18.6 cu. ft. behind its 3rd-row seats. With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the Toyota Highlander has up to 84.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, while the Honda Pilot has 87 cu. ft.
- The 2023 Toyota Highlander is available in 11 trim levels: the L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Bronze Edition, Limited, Hybrid Limited, Platinum, and Hybrid Platinum. All Highlander trims are available in either FWD or AWD.
- The Honda Pilot is available in 6 trims: the LX, Sport, EX-L, Trail Sport, Touring, and Elite. The Trailsport and Elite are available only in an AWD configuration.
- The 2023 Toyota Highlander is available in 9 exterior color options: Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Cypress, Blueprint, Ruby Flare Pearl, Moon Dust, and Cement.
- The 2023 Honda Pilot is available in 8 exterior colors: Diffused Sky Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic II, and Sonic Gray.
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Features & Specifications
- The Toyota Highlander has an overall length of 194.9 inches, overall width of 76 inches, and an overall height of 68.1 inches. It has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches and a ground clearance of 8 inches.
- The Honda Pilot has an overall length of 199.9 inches, overall width of 78.5 inches, and an overall height of 71 inches. It has a wheelbase of 113.8 inches and a ground clearance of 7.3 inches (8.3 inches for the TrailSport).
- The Toyota Highlander comes with 18- to 20-inch wheels, depending on trim level, coupled with all-season tires. The Honda Pilot also comes with 18- to 20-inch wheels and all-season tires, except the TrailSport, which comes with all-terrain tires.
Shopping tools
Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot
Conclusion
- The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have active safety suites and an Overall Crash NHTSA rating of 5, which is the highest achievable rating. Both have a frontal crash rating of 4, a side impact rating of 5, and a rollover crash rating of 4.
- The Toyota Highlander’s AWD and FWD gas models are tuned for towing and hauling, with more torque that yields higher towing capacities than that of the Honda Pilot. The Highlander’s 2.4L turbocharged engine generates 310 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Honda Pilot’s 3.5L V6 generates 262 lb.-ft. of torque. FWD and AWD Highlander models have a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. versus the FWD Pilots’ 3,500-lbs. towing capacity. Only the AWD models of the Honda Pilot match the Highlander’s 5,000-pound towing capacity.
- The gas-powered Toyota Highlander models have a higher EPA-Estimated fuel economy rating of up to 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. Comparatively, the Honda Pilot has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined.
- The Toyota Highlander is available in a hybrid configuration, which further highlights the Highlander line’s fuel efficiency with even higher fuel economy ratings. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 36 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined. The Honda Pilot does not have a hybrid option.
- A 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Color touchscreen is standard on the Toyota Highlander Limited and higher grades, including Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, and Bronze Edition, and available on the XLE and XSE as an optional add-on. In contrast, the Honda Pilot comes with a 9-inch touchscreen on the EX-L and higher, while the LX and Sport come with a 7-inch touchscreen.