2022 Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander

The 2022 Honda Pilot and 2022 Toyota Highlander are both mid-size SUVs that offer three rows of seats. They can take each seat up to seven or eight people. They both have a five-door body style and similar overall sizes, with the Honda slightly larger. The Pilot measures at 197-inches long, 79 inches wide, and 71 inches tall. The Highlander is also 197 inches long but is 76 inches wide and 68 inches tall.

The Honda Pilot offers up to 83.9 cubic feet of storage space when the rear seats are folded. The Highlander has a maximum cargo volume of 84.3 cubic feet. On the interior, the Pilot provides 152.9 cubic feet of passenger space area, while the Highlander has 141.3 cubic feet of room for the passengers to stretch out. Both come packed with a lot of excellent convenience and safety features.

Honda and Toyota are Japanese automobile makers known for their premium quality vehicles. Their vehicles have a reputation for being durable and dependable. It is only natural that their automobiles, trucks, and SUVs get compared with one another here in the North American market. The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are two of the best examples of mid-size SUVs in this crowded class of vehicles.

Here's a closer look at what each SUV has to offer. We will compare the Pilot and Highlander in three different essential categories. This will help prospective buyers see which SUV provides the most value and is simply the best overall.

The Powertrain

Few things are as important as the powertrain when assessing how good a vehicle is. After all, the powertrain pushes your car forward and dictates how well it will perform. The powertrain includes the engine, transmission, drive-train, axles, and differential. We will also look at these vehicles' brake systems, suspension, and other notable mechanical features.

Only one engine is offered for the Honda Pilot in 2022. Direct fuel injection, a direct ignition system, and 24 valves are all features of the 3.5-liter V-6 engine. This engine has Honda's exclusive Eco Assist TM System for enhanced fuel economy. In addition, it provides Hill-Start Assist, Remote-Start, and an Immobilizer that may disable the car if it has been stolen. This engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.

Every Pilot comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission. There are paddle shifters, so the driver can manually shift through the gears if needed. Most trim levels are offered on Front-Wheel Drive FWD and All-Wheel Drive AWD variations. Pilot's Intelligent Traction Management ITM feature provides selectable driving modes for situations such as snow, sand, or mud.

The front wheels of the Pilot have vented disc brakes with power assistance, while the back wheels have solid disc brakes. The steering system is Rack-and-Pinion with Electric Power Assist. This car's front and back suspensions are MacPherson struts and multi-links, respectively. Additionally, there is a stabilizer bar at the front and back.

Depending on the model, the Pilot has alloy wheels that are either 18 inches or twenty inches. Usually, an all-season pair of tires are mounted on them. The combined fuel efficiency figure for the Pilot is twenty-two miles for each gallon for All Wheel Drive AWD and twenty-three miles per gallon for FWD.

Two distinct powertrains, including a hybrid model, are available for the Toyota Highlander in 2022. A Highlander's base engine is a 3.5-liter V-6, much like the Pilot's. This engine includes double overhead cams, twenty-four valves, variable valve timing (VVT), and start-or-stop technology. 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque are produced by it. This engine comes with an automatic transmission with eight-speed that is electronically regulated.

Both FWD and AWD variants of the Toyota Highlander are offered. Its combined fuel efficiency figure is twenty-four miles per gallon, with a little reduction for AWD vehicles. Models with hybrid engines may achieve up to 36 mpg. The hybrid system generates 243 horsepower by combining a 2.5-liter engine with four cylinders, two extra electric motors, and a generator. A CVT, or continuously variable gearbox, is available for hybrid vehicles.

Like the Pilot, the Highlander has an Independent MacPherson Strut Suspension with a stabilizer bar in the front. In the back, things are different, as the Highlander has a Trailing-Wishbone Suspension. A special sport-tuned suspension system is available on certain trim levels. The Highlander also has ventilated disc brakes in the front, solid disc brakes in the back, and Electric Power-Assisted (EPA), Rack-and-Pinion Steering.

Higher Highlander trim levels come with a technology that Toyota calls Drive Mode Select, or DMS for short. This includes special driving modes for normal driving, fuel-efficient driving, or for snow. A separate Multi-Terrain Select system provides switchable driving modes for mud, sand, rocks, and dirt. Once again echoing the Honda Pilot, the Toyota Highlander has 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires for most trim levels.

Drivability

Most consumers should find the 280 horsepower standard engine of the Honda Pilot to be more than enough. A full load of passengers and goods is no problem for the Pilot. When properly equipped, a Pilot with the standard engine may even pull up to 5,000 pounds. The max towing capacity and horsepower of the Toyota are comparable. It's quicker, but not by a significant amount.

The hybrid Highlander model has fewer horsepower, but it more than makes up for this with the economy. If you place a high stake in fuel efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid is your best option. Both cars have precise, tight steering and good handling. Both cars' gearbox systems do their functions admirably, and their suspension systems guarantee a comfortable and quiet ride.

Driving Highlander results in more accurate steering and handling. The Pilot offers a smoother ride. Due to the soundproofing employed by both automakers, the interiors of both vehicles are comparatively quiet. For both SUVs, the seats are supportive and comfy. At higher model levels, the Honda Pilot features a ten-way power driver's seat, while the Toyota Highlander offers a 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar support.

Both automakers provide leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both offer optional heating for the front seats as well. It's a close call when selecting which SUV offers the best driving experience. It's practically a tie when considering interior comfort and rides quality. The Toyota, however, wins out due to its higher horsepower rating, better fuel efficiency, and tighter steering.

Safety

When buying a new automobile, there is no category more crucial than safety features. There are several standard safety features on both the 2022 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Both automobiles contain several passive and active safety options and modern driver assistance tools to keep everyone safe and sound.

The Honda Pilot uses an ACE™ body structure to channel collision energy away from the driver and passengers. There's also an advanced airbag system with Front and SmartVent® Front Side Airbags. A Side-Curtain Airbag adds protection for all three seat rows. It also has a sensor that knows when the vehicle has rolled over, so it can deploy the curtain airbag accordingly.

Rear child safety locks, the LATCH system for fastening child safety seats, and three-Point Seat Belts with an Automatic Tensioning System ATS are a few more passive features. Vehicle Stability Assist TM, a Multi-Angle Rear Camera, Electronic Brake Distribution, and an Anti-Lock Braking System are some commendable safety features.

The Pilot also offers a Tire-Pressure Monitor to negate accidents due to a flat or a blowout. Daytime Running Lamps make the Pilot more visible to oncoming traffic. Brake Assist kicks in when you need extra stopping power during emergency maneuvers. There's also a Traction-Control System that makes for a safer drive over different pavement or terrain conditions.

Regarding modern tech safety features, there's a Blind-Spot Information System that can oversee rear cross-traffic. Automatic High-Beams make sure that the driver can always see what's ahead. A forward Collision Warning lets the driver know if there's an impending front crash. The Road-Departure Mitigation RDM and Lane-Keeping Assist feature ensures the driver stays safely in their lane or roadway.

Every model of the Toyota Highlander comes with eight airbags. Front and side impact airbags are also included. A seat-cushion airbag is provided for the front passenger and a knee airbag for the driver. Rear child safety locks, windows, and the LATCH system are all available on the Highlander. Additionally, three Point Seat Belts with Limiters and Pretensioners are available.

Seat-Belt Reminders detect where there are passengers and give an alarm if anyone stays unbuckled in all three rows. Like the Pilot, the Highlander has Tire-Pressure Monitor and a Rear-View Camera. It also has a similar Blind-Spot Alert system with Rear Cross-Traffic Monitoring. The Highlander has a handy Front and Rear Parking Assist that even brakes automatically to keep the driver from bumping into another vehicle.

Toyota offers a Safety Connect System that alerts Emergency Assistance if there's a crash. It also can connect the driver with Roadside Assistance and has a vehicle locator in case the Highlander gets stolen. Toyota's Star Safety System TM includes the aforementioned ABS brakes, Brake Assist, Traction Control, and Vehicle Stability Control.

Which Has the Best Value?

The Honda Pilot comes in seven different trim levels. The base trim starts at 38,080 dollars. This goes up a bit for an All Wheel Drive AWD model. It increases once options and special packages are added on. The most expensive models are the Elite, which starts at $50,370, and the unique Black Edition, which starts at $51,870.

The Touring trim level at 44,870 dollars is the best value of the bunch. It has the perfect balance of convenience and safety features In its cost range. The slightly less expensive Trail Sport model is also a solid choice for those who want to take their Honda Pilot out for some off-road fun.

Toyota's Highlander's cost starts at 35,855 dollars for the L trim level. The most expensive among the models is the Platinum trim, starting at 48,010 dollars. The top-tier hybrid model is the Platinum Hybrid. This model has an MSRP of 49,510 dollars. The Highlander is less in price at almost every comparable trim level.

The Toyota is also more powerful and performs better overall, in addition to being less expensive. The top trim level of the Honda Pilot is below even a fully equipped hybrid vehicle. Generally speaking, Toyota also provides more features. No matter what trim level you're going for, it's unquestionably the superior bargain here.

Which is Better?

Honda and Toyota are fantastic companies that make some of the best available vehicles. The 2022 Honda Pilot and 2022 Toyota Highlander are two of the best SUVs in their class. While Honda often wins compared to Toyota, that's not the case this time. The latest Toyota Highlander is the superior mid-size, three-row SUV.

The Toyota Highlander has more power, better acceleration along with superior performance. Both vehicles are equally comfortable on the inside. Both offer comparable ride qualities. The Toyota handles better and is more enjoyable to drive. It offers slightly more cargo space too. The main difference here, however, is in the price of these two vehicles. Toyota simply offers more for less money.