08 Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot

[barbmouse]

Any opinions out there? I have been waiting for the new Highlander to come out but meanwhile have really started noticing the Honda Pilot? which one would you prefer and why? which is roomier?

 

[Christine]

I have a 2005 Highlander and I really like it. The new Highlanders look great--lots of extra features mine doesn't have. The Pilot is also good but it is definitely a bigger car than the Highlander. I park my Highlander next to a Pilot everyday and I am kind of surprised that there is such a size difference.

The Highlander will probably give you a tad better gas mileage but not as much room.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Test drive them both...
You will know when your butt hits the seat if one is 'the one' for you!

My inlaws drive a Pilot. And, it is a pretty big vehicle. Probably too big for me to want to drive around. It is very nice. You may also notice a difference in the 'ride' between these two vehicles. Between our little SUV and the Pilot, riding in the Pilot has more of the feel of floating on a barge. Not 'high and tight' like our vehicle.

Can't offer any input on the Highlander, as I do not have one, or have any close friends or relatives with one. But, I can say that I have a favorable impression of them.

 

[Beth76]

The new Higlander looks really cool and is at the top of our list when we look for new cars next year. I'm especially interested in the hybrid. With the new styling of the highlander, I don't like the look of the current Pilot anymore. But they are being redesigned for early next year. I can't wait to see the new one. I didn't think there was much of a difference in size, but if there is I would definitely like a larger vehicle.

Also the Saturn Outlook and the GMC Acadia are new and getting really good reviews. The Outlook is supposed to have a really nice, roomy 3rd row.

 

[Christine]

The Outlook is supposed to have a really nice, roomy 3rd row.

I can tell you that my 2005 Highlander does NOT have a really nice, roomy 3rd row. Not sure if they've improved that on the 2008 version but it couldn't be much better because the vehicle has not grown in size. They have made the 3rd row exit much easier though.

The Pilot has a nice 3rd row, and it should, because it is a longer vehicle. The Highlander is going to have more of a "car" feel when you drive it (which is why I picked it). It is built on a Camry frame. We rented a Toyota 4Runner SUV last year. It looks much like the Highlander but is built on the Tacoma (truck) frame. Man, what a difference in the drive.

I'm not sure what the Pilot is built on but you really should drive the two vehicles and see which one feels right.

 

[rparmfamily]

You're comparing two different categories of SUV's.

Honda Pilot is in the same cat as Ford Explorer.

A Toyota Highlander is a small SUV like the Ford Escape.

I have a Honda Element (also a small SUV) and I used to have a Ford Escape. I LOVE my Element, it's so roomy (but yet so compact and easy to park) but it only seats 4. I loved my Escape but the back seat was cramped, but my kids didn't care lol. Actually, I didn't even consider an Element until I got in my mom's. And then my BIL and sister bought one too! So we have 3 Elements in our family now LOL!! It's a great car!!

My IL's have a Highlander and LOVE it too!! My SIL has a Pilot and it's a beautiful car but $$$!! (plus the gas)

 

[Christine]

You're comparing two different categories of SUV's.

Honda Pilot is in the same cat as Ford Explorer.

A Toyota Highlander is a small SUV like the Ford Escape.

I have a Honda Element (also a small SUV) and I used to have a Ford Escape. I LOVE my Element, it's so roomy (but yet so compact and easy to park) but it only seats 4. I loved my Escape but the back seat was cramped, but my kids didn't care lol.

My IL's have a Highlander and LOVE it too!! My SIL has a Pilot and it's a beautiful car but $$$!! (plus the gas)

Actually, the Highlander is not considered a small SUV--that would be the Toyota RAV4. I consider the Highlander a mid-size SUV and there are very few in that class. You usually either get the small (RAV4, Honda CRV, Escape) or you get the large (Explorer, Pilot). I might almost compare the Highlander to something like a Jeep Cherokee. It's really in between the two.