2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$40,200 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Toyota Highlander often comes down to budget versus slight efficiency gains and standard drivetrain advantages. The Pilot greets you with a more attractive starting MSRP of $40,200, significantly undercutting the Highlander's $45,270 entry point, a difference of $5,070. Power delivery favors the Pilot, which offers 285 hp compared to the Highlander's 265 hp, though the Highlander counters with more torque at 310 lb-ft. For hauling gear, the Pilot wins on sheer volume, boasting 18.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft. However, the Highlander nudges ahead slightly in fuel economy, achieving 24 MPG combined, which beats the Pilot's 22 MPG combined rating. This comparison highlights a trade-off: saving money upfront with the Pilot, or gaining standard AWD and better mileage with the slightly pricier Highlander.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Highlander

The 2026 Highlander is the better choice for daily commuters due to its superior 24 MPG combined fuel economy and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

Families will appreciate the larger physical footprint, offering greater overall passenger space and 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Pilot appeals more to drivers seeking robust acceleration with 285 horsepower on tap.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is the clear value winner, starting at $40,200, saving buyers over $5,000 compared to the Toyota Highlander's MSRP.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You need the maximum possible cargo area, as the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft versus 16 cu ft in the Highlander.
Sticking to a tighter budget is critical, given the Pilot's $40,200 MSRP compared to the Highlander's higher starting price.
You prefer a stronger initial horsepower rating of 285 hp for your driving style.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is a must-have for your local weather conditions.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, as the Highlander achieves 24 MPG combined versus 22 MPG.
You value a higher torque figure (310 lb-ft) for pulling power, despite lower horsepower.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Toyota Highlander
Length	199.9"	194.9"
Width	78.5"	76.0"
Height	71.0"	68.1"
Wheelbase	113.8"	112.2"

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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
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 shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

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.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.9 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	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Toyota
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 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	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Toyota
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	57.2 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	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Toyota
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	58.4 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	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

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 Highlander.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Toyota Highlander than the 2025 Honda Pilot?

The Toyota Highlander has a notable price difference, starting at $45,270, making it $5,070 more expensive than the Honda Pilot, which starts at $40,200.

Which crossover provides better highway fuel economy for long drives?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander slightly edges out the Pilot on the highway, achieving 28 MPG highway versus the Pilot's 27 MPG highway rating.

Is the extra size of the Honda Pilot noticeable inside?

Yes, the Pilot is physically larger, resulting in greater utility; it offers 18.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

Do either of these vehicles require premium fuel?

No, thankfully both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable.

Which vehicle offers better performance specs in terms of horsepower and torque?

The Honda Pilot leads in horsepower with 285 hp, while the Toyota Highlander delivers superior torque output with 310 lb-ft, versus the Pilot's 262 lb-ft.

Why is the Highlander more expensive, given its lower horsepower?

The higher MSRP for the Highlander is likely influenced by its standard All-Wheel Drive system, whereas the Pilot comes standard with Front Wheel Drive for its base model.