Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot

[mainelyj]

We are looking to purchase a new vehicle this fall. I am looking for any opinions on which of these to look at - the toyota highlander vs honda pilot.

We are toyota people and have never been let down. My camery has 154000 miles - and still runs great. Our Sienna has 100000 and has no problems either.

Thanks for your help.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I don't know about the Highlander, but I do own a 2003 Honda Pilot. To date, I have not had a mechanical problem aside from the separate heat/ac blower for the back seat stopped working. I am overall very, very happy with my choice.

Honda is a great brand, as is Toyota. I was choosing between the 4Runner and the Pilot during my search, but the fact that the Pilot had the 3rd row was what drove me to the Pilot (no pun intended ).

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Not that it matters much, but Honda vs. Toyota, I say that Honda is more utilitarian and Toyota is better looking.

Because you already have a Toyota, perhaps they will give you some loyalty pricing or some other incentive to buy another one.

Good luck!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have a 2004 Pilot which we bought brand new. I can say we have NEVER had any problems with our car WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!

We use Consumer Reports for all of our major purchases and the Honda Pilot was either #1 or #2 in its class at the time. According to Consumer Reports, the Pilot does have a stronger rating compared to the Highlander right now.

When I bought, both the Pilot and 4Runner (my choices) had the 3rd row. However, the 4Runners 3rd row couldn't fold into the floor...you have to take the seats out to have the room in the back! So inconvenient!

We love our Pilot and REALLY couldn't be happier. We love the Toyota brand, too! We have the Toyota Yaris and love that as well!

GOOD LUCK with your decision!

 

[GJM]

I have the Toyota Highlander and love it. Our other car is a Honda Accord. We only buy Toyota or Honda. We did look at the Honda Pilot, but I felt more comfortable driving the Toyota. I think the Pilot was a little bigger.

But honestly i don't think you can go wrong on either of them.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

But honestly i don't think you can go wrong on either of them.

TOTALLY agree!

Why not take both out for a test drive and see which feels more YOU?

 

[ntink]

I have a 2007 Pilot and love it. Prior to that I had a 1999 Honda CR-V with 125,000 miles on it that someone decided to crash into in January. Also, I had a 1989 Corolla (bought new) with over 200,000 miles on it and also at one time had a Camry (bought used) with over 100,000 miles on it and loved both cars. We test drove both the Pilot and the Highlander multiple times and the main reasons we selected the Pilot were:

3rd row seat is much roomier and easier to get into

the console between the driver' & passenger's seat in the Highlander was awkward and restrictive on DH's legs

the pricing was better & more straightforward. The highlander had numerous options and packages and only certain items were available with certain other items but Honda just has 3 option levels with the only extras being the Navigation or DVD which we did not want.

Good luck - they are both great cars
As an aside, I really wanted the new CR-V but wanted/needed the additional seating for DH & my parents and DDS 's friends.

 

[mainelyj]

Thanks so much. I appreciate all the comments. I will definately test drive both. It is so fun to have so much time to look.

 

[Gillian]

I don't have either but I drove them both and found the Pilot was not as smooth. It felt like it leaned to the side more around turns. It's larger though.

I read today that both are due for a redesign for 2008. Some people don't like to buy the first or last year of a certain model. It could mean good deals on the 2007s when the 2008s come out!

 

[speedyf]

Just wanted to chime in. We own a 2002 Camry and then purchased the 2005 Highlander.

The Highlander is built on the Camry chassis so it has more of a smooth car-like ride than most other SUV's. Most SUV's (like the Xterra that we also test-drove) are built on the chassis of the company's truck which usually means a little rougher ride.

I do agree that you can't go wrong with either vehicle. I've never owned a Honda...but, I do know they are reliable.

The reason we did not consider the Pilot is that we were looking for a 4-cylinder to save on fuel. The Highlander offered a 4-cylinder that gets 22/28mpg which is ok compared to the 24/32mpg that our Camry gets.

I'm hoping to be able to pass the Highlander down to my son when he starts driving. He's 7 right now

Speed

 

[Va-bear]

As many have said you prob. cant wrong w/ either but if price is much of a point for you I found, atleast in this region, that the Toyota dealerships were MUCH more willing to deal on price over the Honda people. I went to 2 dealerships of each type (and also had contact w/ many more on-line.) Over and over the Toyota people were GREAT about being willing to bring the price down......so that made the decision for me! (I am a major bargain hunter - and with most everything else between the 2 cars being ABOUT equal price was a big deciding factor - but its not that way for all, ofcourse. )

Good luck either way and congrats!!!

(ps - I was choosing between a Honda and a similar type Toyota - but they were NOT the Highlander or Pilot. I am just speaking of dealerships willingness to wheel and deal, as a whole. Thanks!)

 

[QueenTriton]

I have a Pilot, DH has a Highlander. We love them both. Pilot has more room, both passenger and cargo. Highlander is more comfortable and quieter (I believe it's built on a car platform and Pilot on a truck). Highlander gets better mileage, but the Pilot is a 2004 and I believe there are more engine options now, though I could be wrong. Neither has had a major repair yet. In fact, nothing other than routine maintenance.

 

[vsimeone]

I have a 2005 Highlander and LOVE it! We have the 3rd row seat but hardly ever use it. I can tell you that on a trip to DC in April we crammed - and I do mean CRAMMED NINE people in my Highlander - the youngest being my NOT SMALL 15 y.o. son. Luckily we weren't going terribly far. From the Mall to Alexandria. I wouldn't recommend it and don't plan to do it again but that might give you an idea of the possible capacity!

I haven't had ANY problems with it. Only done routine maintainence. I have almost 50,000 miles on it as I commute about 65 miles to work each day and it has been to North Carolina 3 times and Florida once. I am very hard on cars but my Highlander still looks brand new!

Best of luck with your decision!

 

[zumbergc]

We have a 4 cylinder toyota highlander. We love it.
We haven't had problems with it.

We give it 2 thumbs up. We looked at several suv's and as others have mentioned its on a car chasis. Since its on the car chasis its much more smooth and less bouncy. This is a huge issue for me, as I get mild car sickness. Test driving some suv's wasn't very much fun, and new by the end of the test drive it wasn't the right suv for us. But i do OK in the highlander.
Its not as smooth as my passat, but I manage.

Good luck

 

[mainelyj]

Using this board is a lot better than consumer reports. You are great. I am leaning towards the Highlander and going with 4 cylinder for the better gas mileage. Also, the 4 cyclinder is cheaper.

My husband wants to get the four cylinder so it will be better for towing. I told him that in 20 years, I do not recall towing anying, even with our truck - heheheh. I guess having that ability is a guy thing???

I do believe you have an option of the third seat - is that correct. I really want that seat - but not sure yet.

Thanks.

 

[Stimpy]

We just bought a Highlander 3 weeks ago and so far I love it. We also got the best deal on it as compared to other dealers. I used to have Jeep Grand Cherokee and was all set to get another one this time. Dh & I really liked the Highlander better after test driving and comparing them. (Hated the Pathfinder! LOL)

The third row is optional, I think it was about $200 more. We've used it a few times already. We also got the tow package thrown in because I wanted the 3rd row & the only one they had already had the tow package installed. It would have cost us $1000 more for the package & 3rd row together. Basically I told them I will never use it, don't want it so I'm not paying for it.

The only complaint was from DH. He's not a tall guy but he likes to stretch his legs when he drives. The seat doesn't go back quite far enough. (Of course he didn't notice that until after we got home!) Also, I don't like the open console thing on the floor but I just don't use it.

 

[firsttimemom]

toyota is redoing the highlander- it should be out this summer but I'm not sure if it has hit the showrooms yet. From what I've read, there will be much better access to the 3rd row. There may end up being good deals on the older version as the dealers clear them out.

We're about a year out on our purchase and are looking at the same 2. Good luck!

Liz

 

[shelly3girls]

We chose the Pilot b/c it was bigger. I really wanted something that seated 8 relatively comfortably. I definitely did not want any lap belts in the car which some SUVs had.

We found our Honda dealer to negotiate pretty well and we were able to get a great rate. It probably depends on what the manufacterers are offering at the time.

 

[NemoMOm]

We own the 2007 Pilot and we love it. It is so roomy and drives very smooth. And I love all the extra storage space. I owened the 2004 CRV before that and never had any problems. I have owned Toyotas and ws very happy with those, but went with Pilot because it was larger and I'm happy with Honda

 

[bnorm27]

I just saw a commerical for the 2008 Highlander on TV last night. It has a look like the newer model of RAV 4's, so it is quite nice looking. You may be able to get a good deal on a leftover 2007 if the 08's are hitting the lots soon.
You will not go wrong with either vehicle. The quality is far superior to the American carmakers, and as many on this thread have stated, they have few if any problems with these vehicles. I currently own a Toyota 118,000 miles, and have owned a Honda in the past that only needed brakes. You may pay more, but they retain their value better then any other vehicles on the market!

If you need a third row seat, I would suggest you take a moment and look at the Hyundai Veracruz. They are sharp vehicles, and the quality is on the rise. Plus you get the 10 year ,100k powertrain warranty. Honda and Toyota can't touch that. If you don't need a third row, the Kia Sorrento is another great vehicle. We just bought one a few months ago, and it is a wonderful SUV. A little thirsty at the pump, but it does have a big V6 engine. A friend of mine took a ride with me in my Kia one night. He wanted to know how I could afford a Lexus SUV. When I told him it was a Kia, he darn near fainted!

 

[marko]

I have a 2005 Honda pilot and have not had any problems yet. The third row seat, although a little tight, is great for the kids and their friends. I would test drive both, see which one you like best and which one you are going to get the best deal on. Good luck.