Midsize SUVs with three rows of seating are now the go-to choice for families with four or more children. Customers who purchase in this class may anticipate plenty of room for passengers and cargo, a wide range of convenience amenities, and (for the most part) simple car-seat installation.
Two of the most popular options for a crossover SUV with a third row are the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The 2022 Honda Pilot and 2022 Toyota Highlander are comparable in size and interior space, other from that. Both come with a typical V6 engine. Toyota also has a hybrid Highlander available for those looking for improved gas mileage.
This 2022 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander comparison will aid in your decision-making if you’re torn between the two vehicles.
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Highlander versus Honda Pilot: which is superior?
A 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque is standard on every 2022 Honda Pilot. Three-row midsize SUVs frequently have six-cylinder engines, but this one distinguishes out for its lively performance. The V6 from Honda is paired with a 9-speed automated transmission.
Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4), the available AWD technology for the 2022 Pilot, is capable of torque vectoring and offers various terrain settings. In order to maintain traction, it is possible to direct up to 70% of the engine’s torque to a single rear tire.
7.3 inches of ground clearance are typical for Pilots. Because it has 7.9 inches of clearance, the Honda Pilot TrailSport is a good option if you frequently travel on dirt roads. AWD Pilots have a 5,000-pound towing capacity as opposed to front-drive models’ 3,500-pound limit when properly equipped.
The FWD 2022 Honda Pilot receives a combined city and highway fuel economy rating of 23 mpg from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pilots with all-wheel drive get 22 mpg on the highway. Due to its higher suspension, the Pilot TrailSport achieves a combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg.
In a similar vein, the Toyota Highlander’s base engine is a 3.5-liter V6. With an 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Although there is occasionally a delay during transmission upshifts, the engine delivers power smoothly.
On the V6 Highlanders, Toyota provides two AWD systems. The entry-level system offers hill-descent control and terrain modes. Torque-vectoring technology is added to the improved AWD system on higher models to increase grip.
8 inches of ground clearance are standard on every 2022 Toyota Highlander. A properly equipped V6 Highlander has a 5,000-pound towing capacity regardless of drive configuration.
The 2022 Highlander with a V6 engine is rated by the EPA at 23 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg combined with AWD. Toyota offers the 2022 Highlander Hybrid if you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient family car. The hybrid powertrain combines a front electric drive motor that receives power from a compact, 1.9 kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The power sources are combined by a second electric motor; this is an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The combined horsepower of hybrid Highlanders is 243 hp.
The rear wheels of AWD Highlander hybrids are propelled by a third electric motor. The gasoline engine does not deliver torque to the rear wheels, unlike on V6 Highlanders (and Pilots). No matter the powertrain configuration, properly outfitted Highlander Hybrids have a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
The FWD 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets 36 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. The Highlander hybrid AWD gets 35 mpg.
Despite having a lesser horsepower rating, the V6 in the Pilot is superior. If you can endure its noisy 4-cylinder engine, the Highlander Hybrid is the winner if fuel economy is your top goal.
Is the Honda Pilot bigger than the Toyota Highlander?
Highlander: The Highlander is a large vehicle with respectable luggage space. Behind the third row, it has a cargo capacity of 16.0 cu ft. When the third row is folded, the volume rises to 48.4 cu ft. You can transport 84.3 cubic feet of cargo by folding both rear rows.
Pilot: The Pilot is even larger than the Highlander. Additionally, Honda, and its mid-size SUV in particular, are experts at making the most of interior space. Behind the third row, the pilot provides 16.5 cu ft of cargo space. With both rear rows folded down, the cargo space expands to 83.9 cu ft, or 46.8 cu ft when folded flat. You would think that’s not much, but the Pilot also conceals under-floor cargo compartments that, when the rear rows are folded, significantly boost the cargo capacity by as much as 25 cu ft.
The Honda Pilot is the more spacious of the two and the best option for a big family because of its larger dimensions and concealed storage compartments.
Is a Honda Pilot purchase worthwhile?
The Honda Pilot is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. With three rows of comfortable seats, a sizable load area, and a high-quality cabin, it succeeds on almost all counts. Thanks to a strong base V6 engine and a good balance of handling ability and ride comfort, driving it is also not boring.
Is the Toyota Highlander a dependable vehicle?
The Toyota Highlander has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it seventh out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $489 average annual repair cost. When compared to all other vehicles, the frequency and severity of repairs are both about average.
What issues do Toyota Highlanders have?
Similar problems with the motorized tailgate and air conditioning system plagued the Toyota Highlander’s previous version from 2008 to 2013. A few owners have also complained of oil leaks from the engine and clunking sounds they hear when rotating the steering wheel.
The Toyota Highlander is the largest SUV available.
One of the strongest rivals to the Toyota Highlander is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. Comparing the cabin measurements of the two vehicles reveals that the Traverse is, in fact, almost a foot longer than the Highlander. The Traverse boasts 20% more third-row legroom and an additional 14.5 cubic feet of total load space.
Mobile Wi-Fi, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are additional standard amenities on the Traverse. None of the Highlander trim levels provide any of those technologies. Furthermore, the Traverse is less expensive to start even though Toyota offers the most common safety measures. You can therefore put the money you save towards Chevy extras like collision-avoidance braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Is the Honda Pilot an SUV?
Because it has always offered room for up to eight passengers, Honda’s largest crossover SUV, the Pilot, is a family-oriented vehicle with three rows of seats and a foot in both the mid-size and full-size classes. Honda’s mid-size SUV prior to the Pilot’s arrival for the 2003 model year was the Passport, a knockoff of the Isuzu Rodeo that filled a void in the lineup while Honda developed its own SUV. The all-wheel-drive Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly outfitted, which increases its attractiveness to families. SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chevrolet Traverse are competitors.
What distinguishes the Honda Pilot Touring from the EXL?
More passenger space is another factor that influences many Aurora drivers to choose a Honda crossover. Both the EX-L and Touring have basic eight-passenger seating; however, depending on your needs, you can also choose a seven-passenger layout in the Touring. The second-row seats in the seven passenger model are perforated, heated captain’s chairs for a more opulent trip.
What distinguishes the Honda Pilot EXL from the EX?
Additional variations between the Honda Pilot EX and EX-L The following features are either standard or offered on the EX-L but are not on the EX: seats with leather trim. system for advanced rear entertainment. electric tailgate
Which issues does the Honda Pilot have?
Electrical troubles with the 2020 Pilot are rather typical, while not being as widespread as other Pilot faults. Owners of the 2020 model have complained about electrical issues that led to broken navigation systems, instrument panels, and entertainment systems.
Key Points
- Less than 100 complaints on vehicles from 2014 and later indicate that the Pilot has been a reliable vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The average annual repair cost for more recent Pilots is $542, which is less expensive than the Ford Explorer’s average annual repair cost of $732.
- In a recent survey of the cars most likely to travel 200,000 miles, the Honda brand came in second. Although the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the same platform as the Pilot, was listed in the study’s list of 16 cars projected to reach that mileage milestone, the Pilot was not.
- The Pilot’s track record of dependability has one flaw: In 2013, a class action lawsuit involving an engine problem impacting more than 1.6 million automobiles was resolved. The 3.5-liter V6 engine used in 2009–2013 Pilots may malfunction or burn excessive amounts of oil, according to the lawsuit.
- The Honda Pilot is a dependable and reasonably priced SUV that, while not the most thrilling car on the road, should satisfy the ordinary driver for a decade or more of devoted service and can easily travel over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
How trustworthy are Honda drivers?
Breakdown of the Honda Pilot’s reliability rating. The Honda Pilot has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 13th out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $542 average annual repair cost.
Which SUV has the highest rating for dependability?
A dependable SUV, or sport utility vehicle, should be at the top of your list if you have any plans to grow your family or are simply searching for a car that can accommodate more luggage and cargo. The best part is that you don’t need a minivan for the extra seats because it has all the bells and whistles of a modern automobile and might provide you some fun off-roading. This means that you can have a little bit of automotive style while being a soccer parent.
A new type of vehicle called an SUV came onto the market to give its occupants more enclosed room and the adaptability of a pickup truck. SUVs have grown in popularity over the years and are currently among the most common types of vehicles.
You can feel a bit confused while deciding which SUV is best for you because of its rising popularity and the wide range of vehicle features and brands available.
Here is a list of the most dependable SUVs for 2021 to help you focus your search.
Toyota Sequoia
Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has been discontinued in the US, Toyota has not abandoned us without a sizable, dependable SUV. The Toyota Sequoia is known for exceeding 1,000,000 miles and has several mechanical components in common with the full-size Tundra truck. Despite the Sequoia’s inability to match the Land Cruiser’s off-road prowess, the TRD Pro model is no pushover when the pavement ends. The Toyota 4Runner, the Sequoia’s brother in the brand’s SUV series, is a good option for those seeking additional off-road capability.
There is ample space for up to eight persons inside the Sequoia, including a third-row that is surprisingly comfy. Although less opulent than competitors in the same category, interior materials are nevertheless strong and of great quality. For the 2021 model year, the infotainment system has a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android auto.
A 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower powers this dependable SUV. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard, with four-wheel drive being an option. The Sequoia has terrible fuel efficiency, getting only a maximum of 17 MPG on the interstate and 13 in the city. Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are all standard safety features.