Written byIn the crowded field of three-row SUVs, the always-competitive Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot stand out as two of the best family options. Both feature roomy interiors, powerful powertrains, and techy features that make them perfect for road-tripping, slogging to and from work, and anything in between. But with such similar experiences between them, how do you choose which one is right for you?
Where the standard Highlander plays relatively well, the Toyota Grand Highlander adds more room, potent engine options—including hybrids—and a swank interior loaded with tech. This is for those who want a little bit more room and would rather have the additional utility without the tradeoff of a lesser fuel economy or performance.
However, the Honda Pilot is no slouch either. It still boasts its ever-reliable 3.5L V6, comfortable seating for up to eight, and the enduring reliability that Honda is known for. It is, after all, a well-rounded SUV that strikes a decent but not fantastic balance of power, practicality, and price.
Each SUV has driver-assistance technology, large infotainment screens, and high-end interior details. The Grand Highlander prioritizes luxury and efficiency, while the Pilot prioritizes rugged capability and a stout V6.
So, which is the best balance of room, power, features, and bang for your buck? We will compare these two SUVs in significant categories, focusing on performance, interior comfort, technology, and safety, before determining which will be the winner for 2025!
Must Check: 2024 Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited
Performance and Engine Options
Toyota Grand Highlander
Three powertrain options are available for the Toyota Grand Highlander, depending on your performance and efficiency needs. The normally-aspirated 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base unit produces 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Toyota also provides a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain focusing on efficiency rather than power. If you want a good mix of performance and efficiency, the Hybrid Max system pairs a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor for 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard on the Grand Highlander, but a traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is offered. It provides smooth power delivery, but the Hybrid Max does 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds. Adaptive trailer sway control and other driver-assist features address the mechanical side depending on the powertrain: the max tow rating is 5,000 pounds on the Hybrid Max. As for efficiency, the hybrid model excels at an estimated 36 mpg combined, whereas the turbo-four gets about 24 mpg combined.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot doesn’t make it complicated, using a 3.5-liter V6 with outputs of 285 hp and 262 lb-ft. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the shifts are smooth, and acceleration is solid. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available, providing added confidence during inclement weather conditions.
With AWD, the Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds, the maximum the Grand Highlander can handle. The Hybrid delivers an estimated 22 mpg combined with the AWD models, but that still leaves it a peg behind the Toyota hybrids.
Winner: Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander wins because it offers more engine options, including hybrid types that improve fuel economy. Additionally, it boasts impressive hybrid performance with the Hybrid Max powertrain, making it a bit more well-rounded in power and efficiency.
Interior Space and Comfort
Toyota Grand Highlander
A long-overdue lofty competitor in the three-row SUV class, the Toyota Grand Highlander offers space and family-friendly interior accommodations. It is marketed as a more spacious alternative to the standard Highlander, featuring plenty of third-row seating capacity for adults and children. That’s a lot of legroom 41 inches in the second row and 33.5 inches in the third row.
The figures on the cargo space front are also impressive 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet with all rear seats stowed. This massive cargo space provides ample room for luggage, sporting gear, or large items. Premium touches improve the cabin experience, including available leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and an advanced climate control system.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot also offers a well-equipped, flexible interior, but it is a decent rival in this tailored category. The third-row seats are also adult-sized, with 32.5 inches of legroom, a bit tighter than in the Grand Highlander. Row two, however, is still spacious, so rear seat occupants shouldn’t feel cramped.
Cargo ability is adaptable, with 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 87 cubic feet total when expanded. It’s not quite as big as the Grand Highlander, but it still offers plenty of room for day-to-day use. Interior technology and convenience features enhance practicality, including an extensive touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging, and USB ports in all rows. There is also Honda’s CabinTalk intercom system, which enables easier communication between front and rear passengers.
Winner: Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander is victorious in this category thanks to its expanded cargo space, roomier third row, and higher-end amenities. Although the Honda Pilot boasts great versatility and technology, the Grand Highlander’s Highlander’s additional legroom and stowage make it the superior family-friendly vehicle.
Technology and Infotainment
Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander debuts raise the bar for technology and infotainment. The big touchscreen is desirable and pairs well with a crisp, human-friendly UI. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the defaults, providing seamless smartphone integration. An available digital gauge cluster enriches the driving experience and options for premium sound, including an available JBL 11-speaker sound system. The Grand Highlander also receives the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and a pre-collision system. All this, plus much more, makes the Grand Highlander a convenient- and tech-packed SUV for those who care about safety.
Honda Pilot
Honda Pilot it has a 9-inch touch screen, and though very functional, it’s a size step down from the Grand Highlander display. It also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you avoid missing a wireless connection on the road. Honda Sensing suite includes standard features such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and road departure mitigation. The Pilot distinguishes itself with available Wi-Fi capability so the whole family can stay connected. For families, its rear-seat entertainment options — like optional cabin intercom and streaming apps — ensure the miles will fly by on long hauls. The Pilot offers a far less complicated entertainment system, but it isn’t quite as big and offers nothing like the Grand Highlander’s premium audio options.
Winner: Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander wins technology and infotainment offers technology and infotainment advantages, including a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen compared to the 9.0-inch version based in all but the top trims of the Honda Pilot, a digital gauge cluster with an available 12.3-inch display compared to an analog gauge cluster in most trims of the Pilot, and a premium audio system with 1,200 watts and 11 speakers compared to a 640-watt, 15-speaker system in the Pilot. Plus, the excellent Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite makes it all that much more desirable. If you want the tech that complements driving dynamics and enhances the overall portfolio, the answer is probably Toyota.
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Safety and Driver Assistance Features
The Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited excel in safety, offering active driver-assistance tech and top-tier crash protection.
Crash-Test Ratings
Full crash-test ratings for the Grand Highlander have yet to be issued by the NHTSA and IIHS, but the standard Highlander achieved a 5-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The 2024 Honda Pilot also received a 5-star NHTSA rating, plus a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, suggesting it has a solid structure and crashworthiness.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Their respective safety suites are standard on both SUVs:
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
Honda Sensing includes:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
- Lane Keeping Assist System
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Blind-Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert
However, both systems have similar functions. For example, while Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 has Lane Tracing Assist, which improves lane centering at highway speeds, Honda Sensing has Traffic Jam Assist, which smooths stop-and-go driving.
Reliability Ratings
Honda Pilot—9/10 via J.D. Power | Toyota Grand Highlander—No score yet. Given the Toyota nameplate and its long-standing reputation for top-tier long-term reliability, we suspect it will be fine.
Winner: Tie
Both SUVs deliver solid safety, excellent crash-test scores, full ADAS, and competitive reliability. They effectively do the same job, so the choice between them comes down to your preference for safety system features.
Pricing and Value
With various options across price points and favoring different lifestyle needs, pricing, and value weigh differently in the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander. With an MSRP of about $37,000 for the Honda Pilot versus around $45,000 for the Toyota Grand Highlander, the Honda is an affordable, family mid-size SUV, first and foremost.
For example, the Honda Pilot Elite costs around $51,000 in the higher-end trims, while the Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum tops out at over $56,000. Both offer leather upholstery, advanced safety tech, and bigger touchscreens as standard. Still, the Pilot provides all of that without the luxury price luxury buyers face when purchasing a high-trim base model.
Honda always seems to do well when it comes to keeping its value over resale, which is down to reliability and longevity. Meanwhile, the Grand Highlander from Toyota will offer similar resale value but higher maintenance and repair costs. Ultimately, the Pilot has a lower TCO thanks to better price and lower servicing costs.
For budget-oriented buyers or those who prefer to extract maximum value from an investment, the Honda Pilot is a better total package. It offers substantial resale value, lower ownership costs, and great features in any trim for the money.
Winner: Honda Pilot (Lower base price)
Final Verdict: Which Should You Get?
Considering the Toyota Grand Highlander vs Honda Pilot boils down to what you value most in a family-oriented SUV. With plenty of flexibility, the Toyota Grand Highlander offers a choice of powertrains, including an ultra-efficient hybrid. Technology is also strong, with a modern infotainment system, available safety, and a spacious interior that can easily fit more prominent families. From efficiency to a base 2.4-liter turbo-four and a hybrid powertrain to more powerful engine options, the Grand Highlander has many options to cater to various needs.
Conversely, the Honda Pilot is a dependable and economical option that can be had with a conventional V6. The Pilot isn’t quite as versatile, and hybrids aren’t offered, but it rides comfortably thanks to solid tech and safety features. The Pilot is a strong choice for budget-conscious buyers or anyone who prefers a tried-and-true V6 engine.
Overall Winner: Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander takes the gold thanks to versatility, hybrid efficiency, and sophisticated technology. The Toyota Grand Highlander is the best all-around SUV for families, featuring a comfortable ride, striking exterior — provided in the correct trim — and plenty of tech to go along with a similarly modern and efficient powertrain.
