When it comes to choosing a midsize SUV, two names often come to mind: the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot. Both vehicles have earned a reputation for reliability, comfort, and strong performance, making them popular choices for families and individuals alike. However, determining which of these SUVs is better depends on various factors, including performance, design, technology, safety features, and overall value.
In this comprehensive article, we will compare the 2024 Toyota Highlander and the 2024 Honda Pilot across multiple categories to help you decide which SUV might be the best choice for you.
1. Overview of the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander has been a staple in the midsize SUV market since its debut in 2001. Known for its refined interior, fuel-efficient engine options, and robust safety features, the Highlander caters to families seeking reliability and long-term value. The 2024 Highlander comes equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a hybrid option, and seating for up to eight passengers.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, has been a formidable competitor in the midsize SUV market since its introduction in 2003. It offers spacious seating for up to eight passengers, a rugged design, and strong off-road capability. The 2024 Honda Pilot comes with a V6 engine and all-wheel-drive options, emphasizing performance and versatility for those who want both family-friendly features and a sense of adventure.
2. Performance Comparison
Toyota Highlander
The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers a choice between two powertrains: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a hybrid option. The turbocharged engine produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, providing a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. The hybrid version, which pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, delivers 243 horsepower and achieves an impressive combined fuel economy of 36 mpg.
The Highlander’s fuel economy is one of its strongest points, particularly with the hybrid model, which makes it an attractive option for families who want to save on fuel costs. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is available, but it’s more suited for light off-road conditions rather than hardcore off-roading.
Honda Pilot
The 2024 Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth power and responsive acceleration. The Pilot’s towing capacity stands at 5,000 pounds with AWD, making it a solid choice for those who need to tow trailers or boats.
Fuel economy is slightly lower than the Highlander, with the Pilot averaging 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models. However, the Pilot’s i-VTM4 AWD system is more off-road-capable than the Highlander’s AWD, thanks to features like selectable terrain modes (snow, sand, mud, and more) and a higher ground clearance.
Verdict on Performance
The Toyota Highlander wins on fuel economy, especially with its hybrid model, which provides significant savings at the pump. However, the Honda Pilot excels in power and towing capacity, making it a better option for those who prioritize performance and off-road capabilities.
3. Interior and Comfort
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander boasts a modern, upscale interior with high-quality materials, particularly in higher trims. Seating is comfortable, and there is a variety of options depending on how many passengers you need to accommodate. It can seat up to eight passengers, though opting for captain’s chairs in the second row reduces seating to seven.
The front seats are supportive and spacious, and the second row provides ample legroom. However, the third row in the Highlander is somewhat cramped compared to its competitors, making it more suitable for children or shorter trips. Cargo space behind the third row is 16 cubic feet, which expands to 84.3 cubic feet with both rows folded down.
The Infotainment System includes a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch screen available on higher trims. Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa come standard, along with multiple USB ports and a Wi-Fi hotspot option.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot offers an equally spacious and well-appointed interior, with a focus on practicality and comfort. Like the Highlander, it can seat up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat or seven with available captain’s chairs. The Pilot’s third row is notably roomier, making it a better choice for families with older children or adults who need to sit in the back.
The Pilot also shines when it comes to cargo space, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 109.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. This makes it a top contender for those who need extra space for gear, luggage, or groceries.
Standard technology includes a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless smartphone charging. The Pilot also features a 12-speaker premium audio system in higher trims, providing a more immersive sound experience.
Verdict on Interior and Comfort
Both SUVs offer excellent interior quality and comfort, but the Honda Pilot edges out the Highlander when it comes to third-row comfort and overall cargo space. If interior space is a priority, the Pilot is the better choice.
4. Technology and Features
Toyota Highlander
The 2024 Highlander comes equipped with a variety of tech features designed to enhance convenience and connectivity. In addition to the standard 8-inch infotainment screen, the available 12.3-inch screen provides sharp graphics and an intuitive interface. The system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims also offer JBL premium audio, a digital rearview mirror, and a panoramic sunroof.
A notable feature in the Highlander is the Driver Easy Speak system, which uses a microphone to project the driver’s voice to the rear seats, ensuring that everyone in the vehicle can hear without the driver needing to raise their voice.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is also packed with modern technology, including a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers wireless charging, a Bose premium sound system, and a customizable digital driver’s display. Additionally, the Pilot includes HondaLink, which allows for remote vehicle control and tracking through a smartphone app.
One standout feature in the Pilot is the CabinTalk in-car PA system, similar to the Highlander’s Driver Easy Speak, which allows the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speaker system. Higher trims come with rear-seat entertainment and multiple USB ports to keep everyone connected on longer trips.
Verdict on Technology
Both SUVs offer advanced technology features, but the Honda Pilot has a slight edge with its more intuitive infotainment system and rear entertainment options, making it ideal for families who rely heavily on in-car technology during trips.
5. Safety Features
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced safety features. This includes:
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Dynamic radar cruise control
- Automatic high beams
- Lane tracing assist
- Road sign assist
In addition to these features, the Highlander offers blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and higher trims come with a 360-degree camera and front/rear parking sensors. The 2024 Highlander has also received high marks from safety organizations, including a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Honda Pilot
The 2024 Honda Pilot includes Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety technologies that mirrors many of the Highlander’s offerings:
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Road departure mitigation
- Traffic sign recognition
In addition, the Pilot comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a multi-angle rearview camera. Higher trims also offer a 360-degree camera and front/rear parking sensors. Like the Highlander, the Pilot has received top safety ratings, making it a highly secure choice for families.
Verdict on Safety
Both the Highlander and the Pilot are equipped with comprehensive safety features and have excellent safety ratings. There is no clear winner in this category, as both vehicles offer robust safety technology to keep you and your passengers secure.
6. Pricing and Value
Toyota Highlander
The 2024 Toyota Highlander has a starting price of around $36,000 for the base L trim and can go up to around $50,000 for the top Platinum trim. The hybrid version starts at around $40,000, offering a more fuel-efficient option for those willing to invest slightly more upfront.
The Highlander’s strong reputation for resale value and reliability makes it a smart long-term investment. Toyota’s warranty coverage includes a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, with hybrid components covered for 8 years/100,000 miles.
Honda Pilot
The 2024 Honda Pilot starts at around $37,000 for the base Sport trim and can reach $53,000 for the Elite trim. While slightly more expensive than the Highlander at the top trims, the Pilot offers more standard features and greater cargo capacity, which may justify the higher price for some buyers.
Honda’s reputation for reliability is on par with Toyota’s, and the Pilot also offers strong resale value. The warranty coverage includes a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Verdict on Pricing and Value
The Toyota Highlander offers a more affordable entry point, especially for hybrid models, making it the better value for those seeking fuel efficiency. However, the Honda Pilot provides more standard features and larger interior space, which may justify its higher price for families needing more room.
7. Conclusion: Which SUV is Better?
Choosing between the 2024 Toyota Highlander and the 2024 Honda Pilot comes down to your specific needs and priorities.
- If fuel efficiency, a hybrid option, and a more affordable starting price are top considerations, the Toyota Highlander is the better choice.
- If power, off-road capability, third-row space, and cargo capacity are more important, the Honda Pilot is the superior option.
Ultimately, both SUVs are excellent choices in the midsize category, offering reliability, comfort, and advanced features. Your decision should be guided by your lifestyle, whether you prioritize day-to-day efficiency or weekend adventures with a bigger, more rugged SUV.
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