2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Honda Pilot (Car 1) and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (Car 2) is the torque output, where the Grand Highlander leads with 310 lb-ft compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Conversely, the Pilot generates 285 hp, exceeding the Grand Highlander's 265 hp. Fuel economy also favors the Toyota, achieving 24 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22 combined MPG. Pricewise, the Pilot has a lower starting MSRP at $40,200 compared to $41,360. While the Pilot is slightly shorter at 199.9 inches versus 201.4 inches, the Grand Highlander offers superior utility, boasting 20.6 cu ft of cargo space over the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft. Transmission setup differs too, with the Pilot utilizing a 10-speed automatic while the Grand Highlander uses an 8-speed.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander secures the commuter win due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 24 MPG against the Pilot's 22 MPG.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander provides measurably more utility with 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is favored by enthusiasts for its higher peak horsepower output of 285 hp versus the Grand Highlander's 265 hp.
2025 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot presents better initial value with a lower starting MSRP of $40,200 compared to the Grand Highlander's $41,360.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- The budget priority mandates the lowest initial purchase price at $40,200.
- The driver prefers higher peak horsepower, as the Pilot delivers 285 hp.
- A 10-speed transmission operation is desired over the Grand Highlander's 8-speed unit.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- Maximizing cargo capacity is critical, as the Grand Highlander offers 20.6 cu ft.
- Superior torque for towing or heavy loads is needed, provided by 310 lb-ft.
- Slightly better fuel efficiency is prioritized, rated at 24 combined MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 201.4" |
| Width | 78.5" | 78.3" |
| Height | 71.0" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Which crossover offers better real-world driving efficiency between the Pilot and the Grand Highlander?
Based on EPA estimates, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is marginally more efficient, achieving 24 combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway). The 2025 Honda Pilot is rated at 22 combined MPG (19 City/27 Highway).
How does the horsepower and torque strategy differ between the two vehicles?
The Honda Pilot emphasizes peak power with 285 hp, while the Toyota Grand Highlander prioritizes pulling power, delivering significantly more torque at 310 lb-ft compared to the Pilot’s 262 lb-ft.
What is the measurable difference in exterior size for parking purposes?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is slightly longer at 201.4 inches, making it 1.5 inches longer than the Pilot's 199.9 inches; however, the Grand Highlander is marginally narrower at 78.3 inches versus 78.5 inches.
Is the base MSRP a significant factor when comparing these two crossovers?
Yes, the 2025 Honda Pilot starts at $40,200, creating an initial price advantage of $1,160 over the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander's MSRP of $41,360.
How do the transmissions compare in gear count?
The Honda Pilot utilizes a more complex 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the Toyota Grand Highlander employs an 8-speed automatic transmission for power delivery.
Which vehicle provides more usable space behind the third row?
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offers superior standard cargo capacity, measuring 20.6 cubic feet, which is 2.0 cubic feet more than the 18.6 cubic feet found in the 2025 Honda Pilot.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool