Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander Bloomington, IN | Andy Mohr Honda

On the hunt for an SUV that combines power, efficiency, a spacious interior, and advanced technology? We’re excited to announce that shoppers in Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Bedford don’t have to wait any longer for the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander. How can you know which one is the best fit for you and your lifestyle?

In this Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander comparison, we’ll help you do just that by comparing these two capable vehicles in categories you care about. Let’s get started with performance!

Pilot vs Highlander: Power & Efficiency

With the Honda Pilot, you’ll be able to enjoy both power and efficiency standard. This vehicle is powered by a 3.5L Variable Cylinder Management™ V6 engine that puts out a powerful standard output of 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Not to mention, you’ll also get an efficient EPA-estimated 27 highway/19 city MPG on the Pilot LX, EX, and EX-L trims.¹

Although you’ll have an impressive 3,500 pounds of towing capability with this standard configuration, you can still upgrade for even more. The available Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) All-Wheel Drive System gives you an additional 1,500 pounds of capability for a whopping total maximum towing weight of 5,000 pounds.

The Toyota Highlander’s standard 2.7L 4-cylinder engine puts out only 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. As a result, it’ll only give you a standard towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. You won’t get quite as good of mileage on the highway with this engine either.

For more information, read our Honda Pilot reviews here! 

Pilot vs Highlander: Cargo & Passenger Space 

Both the Honda Pilot interior and the Toyota Highlander interior can seat up to eight passengers and offer 38.4 roomy inches of middle-row legroom. However, you’ll find that many of the Toyota’s other interior measurements fall short of the Pilot:

• Front Hip Room (Pilot/Highlander): 59.1 inches vs. 57.2 inches
• Front Shoulder Room (Pilot/Highlander): 62 inches vs. 59.3 inches
• Middle-Row Headroom (Pilot/Highlander): 40.2 inches vs 39.9 inches

You won’t only get 152.9 cubic feet of total passenger volume in the Pilot. You’ll also have a plethora of packing room to bring everything you need along wherever you go. Pack in the whole family and 16.5 cubic feet of boogie boards and towels for a day at the beach or put the third row of seats down and use the 46.8 cubic feet of packing space to make that big college move.

Compare these measurements to the Highlander. This vehicle only has 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all eight seats in use. Even with third row of seats folded down, you’ll only have 42.3 cubic feet of packing space. While that’s quite roomy, it doesn’t match what the Pilot is capable of.

Exterior Features: Flair & Function

The first aspect of the Pilot and Highlander that you or anyone else will see is the exterior. These midsize SUVs put on a great showing in this respect—you’ll find aerodynamically sculpted lines, modern front fascias, and plenty of customizable style.

Want to give your passengers a clear view of the skies above? The Pilot and Highlander both offer available panoramic moonroofs. Slide them open and let the fresh air and natural light flow in. Your drive promises far more fun and refreshment with this feature equipped!

While both vehicles offer LED headlamps for efficiency, they only come standard on the Honda Pilot. Its LED low-beam headlamps with auto on/off will help you conserve energy and shine a more brilliant light far up the road.  

Pilot vs Highlander: Impressive Technology 

Not only will you have space to fit the whole family and your stuff in the Honda Pilot, but you’ll also have all the technology you need to keep everyone comfortable and entertained, starting with the available Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System with Humidity Control. Use this feature to cater to the climate needs of all three rows of seats.

The Pilot also comes standardly equipped with a forward-thinking infotainment system, which features an LCD screen, Bluetooth®, and available smartphone integration features. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ allow you to stay up to date with all your apps right from the infotainment screen.

You’ll find similar features in the 2019 Toyota Highlander. Unfortunately, though, you’ll miss out on the Humidity Control feature in its three-zone automatic climate control system. The Highlander also lacks Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™–some of the most intuitive systems for linking your smartphone with the vehicle’s infotainment system.

SUV Safety Comes Standard

The 2019 Pilot and Highlander offer expansive suites of safety features to help you and your family stay secure on the roads. The Honda Sensing® suite and its Toyota equivalent offer the following features:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Assist System

These features can sense what’s happening around your vehicle and prompt you to respond in any range of adverse situations. Be forewarned of possible frontal collisions so you can apply the brakes. Get an alert, too, if you start drifting from your lane without signaling a lane change.

Adaptive Cruise Control will help you keep pace with the traffic ahead by automatically adjusting the speed to keep a preset distance. While both vehicles come standard with a rearview camera for backing up, only the Honda SUV offers a standard multi-view rearview camera to help you see from multiple angles.

2019 Honda Pilot vs 2019 Toyota Highlander: Which One?

Did you find this SUV comparison helpful? The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander offer impressive features that are sure to impress any driver. However, the Honda SUV really stands out for its extra towing capacity, advanced safety, and state-of-the-art connectivity technology.

Now that you see what the 2019 Honda Pilot is capable of, it’s time to get behind the wheel and experience everything else it has to offer! Shoppers in Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Bedford should give us a call today at Andy Mohr Honda to schedule a test drive.

 

¹ 19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD 6AT trims. 18 city/26 highway/21 combined mpg rating for AWD 6AT trims. 20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg rating for 2WD 9AT trims. 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg rating for AWD 9AT trims. Based on 2020 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.