The midsize SUV segment is a fiercely competitive market, with the 2023 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander standing out as two of the most sought-after choices for families and adventure-seekers. Both vehicles boast versatile interiors, top-notch safety features, and impressive performance capabilities, making it challenging to determine the superior option. In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the key aspects of each SUV, from the exterior design and interior comfort to technology and fuel efficiency, to help you make an informed decision on the best fit for your requirements and preferences.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Honda Pilot features a refined and athletic exterior design, with its bold front grille, LED headlights, and sculpted body lines. The Pilot’s sleek appearance is complemented by its modern, aerodynamic shape, which not only improves fuel efficiency but also enhances its overall road presence.
On the other hand, the Toyota Highlander displays a more aggressive and rugged design, highlighted by a prominent front grille, angular LED headlights, and muscular fender flares. The Highlander’s distinctive profile is accentuated by its high ground clearance and large wheels, giving it a commanding presence on the road.
Interior Space and Comfort:
Inside, the Honda Pilot offers seating for up to eight passengers across three rows, with ample legroom and headroom in each row. The Pilot’s versatile interior includes multiple storage compartments, a one-touch second-row seat for easy access to the third row, and folding rear seats to create a generous cargo area.
The Toyota Highlander, also featuring seating for up to eight passengers, boasts a comfortable and spacious cabin. However, its third-row seating is more cramped than the Pilot’s, making it less suitable for taller passengers. Both SUVs offer optional second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven but increasing overall comfort.
Technology and Infotainment:
The 2023 Honda Pilot comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and a premium audio system. Additional features include a rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Toyota Highlander offers a similar suite of technology features, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen (with an available 12.3-inch upgrade) and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Highlander also provides a JBL premium audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless charging.
Safety Features:
Both the 2023 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander prioritize safety, earning high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Honda Pilot includes the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
The Toyota Highlander is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package, offering comparable safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Both vehicles come with a rearview camera and multiple airbags for added protection.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency:
The 2023 Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Pilot delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive version, while the all-wheel-drive model achieves 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The Toyota Highlander offers two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, and a fuel-efficient hybrid option combining a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined output of 243 horsepower. The V6 engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid system utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are available for the Highlander. The V6-powered Highlander achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid variant boasts an impressive 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
Price and Trim Levels:
The 2023 Honda Pilot is available in several trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. Prices start at $39,060 for the base LX model and climb to $51,040 for the fully-loaded Black Edition. Each trim level offers different combinations of standard and optional features, allowing buyers to tailor the Pilot to their specific needs and preferences.
The Toyota Highlander is also offered in multiple trims: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The Highlander’s pricing starts at $35,085 for the base L trim and goes up to $48,365 for the top-of-the-line Platinum version. Additionally, the Highlander Hybrid is available in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $39,685 to $51,065.
Key Differences:
While the 2023 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander share many similarities as midsize SUVs, there are several key differences between the two that may influence buyers’ decisions. Here are the main distinctions:
Exterior Design:
The Honda Pilot features a refined, athletic design with an aerodynamic shape, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. In contrast, the Toyota Highlander sports a more aggressive and rugged look with a prominent front grille, angular LED headlights, and muscular fender flares, resulting in a commanding presence on the road.
Interior Space and Comfort:
The Honda Pilot offers a more spacious third-row seating area, making it better suited for taller passengers or families with larger seating requirements. The Toyota Highlander’s third-row seating is slightly more cramped in comparison, which could be a deciding factor for some buyers.
Powertrain Options and Fuel Efficiency:
The Toyota Highlander has an advantage in powertrain options, offering both a traditional 3.5-liter V6 engine and a fuel-efficient hybrid variant with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors. The Highlander’s V6 engine produces more power (295 horsepower) than the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 horsepower). Additionally, the Highlander Hybrid boasts impressive fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, whereas the Honda Pilot does not offer a hybrid option.
Trim Levels and Pricing:
The Toyota Highlander offers a wider range of trim levels, including the L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, as well as hybrid versions for the LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The Highlander’s starting price is lower than the Pilot’s ($35,085 for the base L trim vs. $39,060 for the base LX trim). On the higher end, the top-of-the-line Highlander Platinum is priced at $48,365, while the Pilot Black Edition comes in at $51,040.
Final Thoughts:
Both the 2023 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander excel as midsize SUVs, offering comfort, safety, performance, and versatility for families and adventurers alike. The Honda Pilot stands out with its sleek exterior design and more spacious third-row seating, while the Toyota Highlander boasts a wider range of powertrain options, including a fuel-efficient hybrid variant, and a more aggressive design aesthetic.
Choosing between these two popular SUVs ultimately comes down to individual needs, preferences, and priorities. We recommend taking the time to test drive both vehicles to experience their unique characteristics and features firsthand. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to make a well-informed decision on which SUV best aligns with your family’s lifestyle and requirements.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Honda Pilot Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Refined and athletic design
- Bold front grille
- LED headlights
- Sculpted body lines
- Aerodynamic shape
- Interior Space and Comfort:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Three rows of seats
- Ample legroom and headroom
- One-touch second-row seat access
- Folding rear seats for cargo space
- Technology and Infotainment:
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Premium audio system
- Rear-seat entertainment system
- Wireless device charging
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Safety Features:
- Honda Sensing suite
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Rearview camera
- Multiple airbags
- Performance and Fuel Efficiency:
- 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 horsepower, 262 lb-ft torque)
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options
- EPA-estimated 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway (FWD), 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway (AWD)
- Price and Trim Levels:
- LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, Black Edition
- Price range: $39,060 (base LX) – $51,040 (Black Edition)
2023 Toyota Highlander Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Aggressive and rugged design
- Prominent front grille
- Angular LED headlights
- Muscular fender flares
- High ground clearance and large wheels
- Interior Space and Comfort:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Three rows of seats
- Comfortable cabin
- Slightly cramped third-row seating
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Technology and Infotainment:
- 8-inch touchscreen (12.3-inch upgrade available)
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility
- Bluetooth connectivity
- JBL premium audio system
- Rear-seat entertainment system
- Wireless device charging
- Safety Features:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- Rearview camera
- Multiple airbags
- Performance and Fuel Efficiency:
- 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower, 263 lb-ft torque)
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors (Hybrid – 243 horsepower combined)
- 8-speed automatic transmission (V6), CVT (Hybrid)
- Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options
- EPA-estimated 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway (V6), 36 mpg city / 35 mpg highway (Hybrid)
- Price and Trim Levels:
- L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum
- Highlander Hybrid: LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum
- Price range: $35,085 (base L) – $48,365 (Platinum), $39,685 (Hybrid LE) – $51,065 (Hybrid Platinum)
