Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot

HIGHLANDER

$36,420

Pictured: Limited Turbo AWD. MSRP as tested $53,181. 

PILOT

$37,090

Pictured: TrailSport AWD. MSRP as tested $50,500.

Pilot 

Honda did a fantastic job with the all-new 2023 Pilot. We like its new more rugged looks and more modern interior (though we'd hoped for a larger available multimedia screen). The new for 2023 off-road oriented TrailSport model we tested featured notably comfortable seats. 

This three-row family hauler delivers a great ride and nice acceleration. It offers versatile, roomy seating with an available removable 2nd-row you can stow under the cargo floor and the third row fits adults.     

We also like the safety updates that include expanded Honda Sensing technology and a next-gen front passenger airbag.

The new Honda Pilot is an excellent choice for families who like a more rugged look and outdoor capability.

Highlander

For 2023, Highlander gas models are now equipped with a new, higher-torque, high-efficiency turbocharged engine. It replaces the V6.

Turbo models are equipped to tow up to 5,000-pounds.

Limited and Platinum grades now have two 12.3-inch screens as standard; one Multi-Information Display (MID) screen and one multimedia screen. The touchscreen is optional for the XLE and sporty XSE grades, which have an 8-inch screen as standard.

Limited and Platinum grades now come standard with power folding exterior mirrors.

New Cypress green exterior color.

Deciding between a new or used Highlander? We've reviewed it several times since 2019. Here's a list of every Highlander we've reviewed.

Pilot

Honda's largest SUV is all-new for 2023. The fourth-generation 2023 Pilot is the largest and most powerful in the SUV's history. It's built on a new platform, features a more rugged exterior design and has an all-new engine.

The interior's been upgraded as well with a more modern, premium look and updated technology. New features include an available panoramic roof. An available removable 2nd row seat can be stowed under the rear cargo floor.

A new TrailSport model is geared towards off-the-pavement adventures. It adds ground clearance and new features like Trail Torque Logic and a TrailWatch Camera system for AWD.

New and improved Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive tech includes a new wide-view camera and radar.

Deciding between a new or used Pilot? We've reviewed it several times since 2016. Here's a list of every Pilot we've reviewed.

Highlander

• New turbocharged engine offers more torque
• More refined interior
• Newer multimedia system with larger available multimedia touchscreen
• More fuel efficient gas engine
• Lineup offers hybrid powertrain

Pilot

• Flexible seating with available removable 2nd-row
• Overall slightly roomier with a larger third row will fit adults
• More cargo space
• More robust audio system offerings
• TrailSport trim adds off-road capability

Highlander

• The third row isn't big enough for adults
• Looser steering
• Audio systems aren't as great

Pilot

• Dated multimedia system
• Smaller touchscreen options
• No hybrid option

24 mpg

22 mpg (FWD)

21 mpg (AWD)

20 mpg (TrailSport AWD)

19 mpg (FWD/AWD)

18 mpg (TrailSport AWD)

27 mpg (FWD)

23 mpg (AWD TrailSport)

25 mpg (Elite, Touring AWD)

• Standard 7-inch multi-information display and available 12.3-inch color LCD multi-information display
• Standard 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6-speaker audio system.
• Available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system w/ wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription that offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices.
  
• Available 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio.
• Available with a backup camera with projected path or a backup camera with dynamic gridlines
• 1 yr trial subcription to Drive Connect  — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist.  Subscription required after trial.  4G network dependent.
•  

• Standard 7-inch TFT driver meter display 
• Available 10.2-inch digital driver display 
• Standard 7-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  
• Available 9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,, HD Radio, SiriusXM subscription, Cabin In-Talk PA system
• Standard Bluetooth
• Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and Honda RealTime Traffic
• Standard 7-speaker audio
• Available 9-speaker audio
• Available 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System
  
  
  

• Available wireless charging
• Five USB ports
• Two 12V outlets

• Available wireless charging
• 2.5-Amp USB Type-A  Front Console (1 Port)
• 3.0-Amp USB Type-C  Front Console (1 Port)
• 2.5-Amp USB Type-A - 2nd Row (2 Ports)
• Available 2.5-Amp USB Type-A Charging Port - 3rd Row (2 Ports)
• 1 12-volt (front)
  
• Available 12-volt (cargo)
• Available 110-Volt Power Outlet (2nd Row)
  
• Available WiFi Hotspot
  

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)  — 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) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Rear passenger seatbelt reminder
• Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)
• Available with a backup camera with projected path or a backup camera with dynamic gridlines
• Available Panoramic View Monitor  

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™)
• Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
• Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
• Traffic Jam Assist

Available Safety Features:

• Low Speed Braking Control
• Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
• Cross Traffic Monitor
• Head-up Display
• Multi Camera View 

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver's-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on middle of second- and third-row seats
• Star Safety System™—includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), * Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) * and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) *
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags —driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags

• 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
• Front & Mid Row Outer 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
• Advanced Front Airbags
• SmartVent® Front Side Airbags 
• Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row Passenger-Side), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row All)
• Seat Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions
• Rear Seat Reminder
• Child-Proof Rear Door Locks
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Brake Assist
• Hill Descent Control
• Hill Start Assist

199.9" - LX, Sport, EX-L, EX-L (7P), Touring, Elite

200.2" - TrailSport

78.5"

71.0" - LX, Sport, Elite, Touring

70.9" - EX-L

72" - TrailSport

285-horsepower

262 pound-feet

17.9

18.5

(FWD/AWD)

• 4,155/4,332 - L
• 4,155/4,332  - LE
• 4,199/4,376 - XLE
•  4,221/4,420 -XSE
• 4,265/4,453 - Limited
• 4,265/4,453 - Platinum

FWD/AWD

• 4,030 / 4,202 - LX
• 4,313 / 4,488 - Sport
• 4,306/ 4,497 - EX-L
• 4,262/ 4,464 EX-L 7
• 4,685 - TrailSport (AWD only)
• 4,418/ 4,625  - Touring
• 4,460 - Elite (AWD) only

3,500 pounds (FWD)

5,000 pounds (AWD)