Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot

[ZPT1022]

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.

How tall is he? My DH is 6'4" so we have the height problem too. I'm 5'4" so I would never notice something like that.

To those who have one of these cars, how are they with putting in carseats?? We currently have three kids, two in carseats and one in a booster, plus I babysit two more, one in a carseat and one in a booster, so five kids altogether. We're also contemplating having another child so we would be right at the car's capacity. Also, how is the trunk space as far as putting a stroller in it or a week's worth of groceries??

Thanks!

 

[ANTSS2001]

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

http://www.toyota.com/highlander/exterior.html

 

[speedyf]

Well...it seems based on the link from the post above that the Highlander will no longer be offered with the 4-cylinder engine starting in 2008.

The base V6 will get 18/24 mpg. The Hybrid will only get 27/25mpg....I'm getting 22/28mpg with my 4 cylinder.

I also wanted to add that I tow a small trailer (4x6 covered) with the 4 cylinder with no problem. Of course...I live in "flat" South Louisiana, so there aren't many hills around.

Speed

 

[moppety]

We tested the Pilot, Highlander and the 4Runner. We were leaning toward the Highlander going in, but ended up liking the way the 4Runner drove better. I'll have to agree that you can't go wrong with any of them, IMO. I love my 4Runner more than words!

One thing we noticed about the Highlander was that there was no A/C vent into the back seat area. We have 2 toddlers, and cars get awfully hot here in Houston in the summer. We wanted maximum cooling on the boys, so the rear vent was a major item for us.

 

[ZPT1022]

We tested the Pilot, Highlander and the 4Runner. We were leaning toward the Highlander going in, but ended up liking the way the 4Runner drove better. I'll have to agree that you can't go wrong with any of them, IMO. I love my 4Runner more than words!

One thing we noticed about the Highlander was that there was no A/C vent into the back seat area. We have 2 toddlers, and cars get awfully hot here in Houston in the summer. We wanted maximum cooling on the boys, so the rear vent was a major item for us.

how is it with installing the carseats?

 

[tennvalgirl]

 

[NemoMOm]

how is it with installing the carseats?

Well, I have the Pilot and in the 2nd row I can put 2 full size car seats and fit an adult. I have not put one in the 3rd row yet because I do not yet need it. But you could put at least 2 adults back there if not 3.

 

[Fall1]

DH has a 2003 Highlander and we just bought me a new 2007 Highlander about a month ago, so I guess you could say we love them. It's a great car/SUV and the gas mileage is pretty good for the type of vehicle. We test drove a Pilot for me because I have always had Honda Accords til now. We both felt that the interior room was less in the Pilot.

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

How about an American car for a change? American cars have come a long way and are often times better than the foreign competition. My MIL has a Chevrolet Trailblazer, my BIL has a Chevrolet Equinox (a smaller SUV), and DH and I have a Chrysler Aspen and Chevrolet Suburban (need the size w/ 3 car seats, stroller, groceries, etc). None of us have had any problems with them and they drive beautifully. I have ridden in all of them and they are all comfy. I find the Japanese cars to be more uncomfortable. Best of all they are American and support the American economy.

 

[Jennabeth]

We have an '03 Pilot and the only thing I don't like about it is it doesn't have a moon roof. We LOVE it! Have owned it for 3 years and drove it to FL from MI with no problems with 6 people and all of our luggage. I've also put 8 adults in it and drove 4 hours. We have two kids and have used the 3rd row more then I thought we would. I love the way they split the folding seats because we can haul the kids and a lot of stuff when the kids sit in the small section (one in second row and one in third). Getting a car seat with a wide base in the third row on the passenger side can be a little tricky because where the seat belt hooks doesnt move a lot, but we've put a booster there with no problem and the other seat on the drivers side. I've fit 4 adults and four car seats in it before, again I love the extra room. It's built on an Odyssey chassis so it drives like a van and not a truck.

 

[rdevine10]

How about an American car for a change? American cars have come a long way and are often times better than the foreign competition. My MIL has a Chevrolet Trailblazer, my BIL has a Chevrolet Equinox (a smaller SUV), and DH and I have a Chrysler Aspen and Chevrolet Suburban (need the size w/ 3 car seats, stroller, groceries, etc). None of us have had any problems with them and they drive beautifully. I have ridden in all of them and they are all comfy. I find the Japanese cars to be more uncomfortable. Best of all they are American and support the American economy.

Just had to comment that I know Toyotas are manufactured in the good old US of A- its either in Kansas or Kentucky???? I cant recall. I dont know as much about Hondas.

And why is it my Japense cars have never needed more than routine maitence and my American have needed MORE than that???

Both the Highlander and Pilot are great vechiles.... it comes down to personal choice with features and the best price! Good luck!

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

Just had to comment that I know Toyotas are manufactured in the good old US of A- its either in Kansas or Kentucky???? I cant recall. I dont know as much about Hondas.

And why is it my Japense cars have never needed more than routine maitence and my American have needed MORE than that???

Both the Highlander and Pilot are great vechiles.... it comes down to personal choice with features and the best price! Good luck!

It is true that some foreign cars are built in the US but the companies are foreign which means the profits go to another country. I have always driven an American car and try to buy other American made products whenever possible. I feel better knowing I am supporting my own country and helping to keep our economy going. If you have ever traveled to Japan you will hardly see any American cars. Not because they are not as good, but because the Japanese are smart enough to buy their own products and because Japan and China charge outrageous tariffs (taxes) on US imports to their countries. Besides, with all of the problems with Chinese products lately that is even more incentive to stay in the good old USA! Of course we live in this free country and one of the wonderful things about that is that we have the choice.

 

[ToInfinity]

I just wanted to say that we have been extremely happy with our Honda Pilot. We actually had a Ford Escape for a couple years but I guess we underestimated the space required for our trip from PA to FL.

We've never had an mechanical problems with our Pilot and I am hoping to hold onto this one for a long time.

 

[shelly3girls]

To those who have one of these cars, how are they with putting in carseats?? We currently have three kids, two in carseats and one in a booster, plus I babysit two more, one in a carseat and one in a booster, so five kids altogether. We're also contemplating having another child so we would be right at the car's capacity. Also, how is the trunk space as far as putting a stroller in it or a week's worth of groceries??

Thanks!

We love our Pilot but...We also have 3 kids with 2 in boosters and one in a carseat. I honestly do not think you could get 6 child seats into the Pilot. We have not been successful getting 3 seats across the second row. I have my oldest DD in the third row in her booster. Even fitting 4 seats is a little tight b/c the smaller side of the third row is a little difficult to buckle the seatbelt with the booster in place, but definitely doable (we do it all the time).

With all benches up there is a decent amount of storage. Definitely enough for grocery shopping but tight if you have a stroller in there too. We have a Maclaren that folds up small and fits no problem. The Peg Aria is pretty difficult to store unless one part of the back seat is down. If you have a larger stroller like some of the Gracos then I don't think it would fit.

I honestly believe that if you plan to transport 6 kids you really need either a minivan (that seats 8) or a larger SUV. My sister has a Sienna and she can fit all 6 kids and store plenty of stuff. DH has an Expedition and we can fit 6 car seats (three fit across the bench quite easily). We looked into the Toyota Sequoia but decided against it b/c the second and third rows were significantly more narrow and we were concerned about fitting 3 seats across.

 

[VLee]

Go LOOK at the Highlander 2008--they are awesome! I have a 2001 Highlander -- no problems whatsoever and have been reading about the upgrades made to the 2008 model for some time now.

Yesterday, the Toyota dealer had a new 2008 on the lot so got to see it firsthand. It can easily sit 7 people. It is a little longer and wider than the older models.
The 3rd seat headrests automatically flip down and it folds into the floor, along with the 2nd row, so you have a large flat cargo area if needed.

There is a section which converts the 2nd row (bucket) seats into a bench type seat, so that 3 persons can fit on the 2nd row. This stows out of the way under the console (between the first row seats) and slides out when needed. When it is stowed, it provides a "walk-thru" to the 3rd row.
Car has backup camera, GPS and entertainment system available. Phone built into steering wheel.
The back glass of the rear lift-up door also can be raised by itself without having to open the entire door.

The body has also changed. I am waiting for the hybrid model to come out in September. This new 2008 is definitely a "keeper!"

Go to the Toyota website and view the video clip showing some of the features. I had done my homework and knew more than the salesman who tried to show it to me yesterday.

 

[mousiemom]

I am also a Toyota person. I had a camry, 2000 highlander, and now a 2006 Sienna. I leased my highlander and loved it!!! great gas mileage and the room was great. I traveled a lot in it too. We needed something bigger so I got the Sienna and absolutely LOVE it!!! Driving down to WDW is wonderful and the 7 hrs goes by very fast and the gas mileage is good too. My boss is a Nissan person so she had a pilot but now has a odysessy van. The pilot i think might be a little bit bigger than the highlander. I test drove a hybrid highlander when i got my van and it didn't drive as good as the regular one. good luck!
Mousiemom

 

[ksoehrlein]

Another happy Pilot owner here. We have a 2003 that just hit 90,000 miles -- lots of fun road trips to WDW as well as up to NY/NJ. Absolutely no problems (knock on wood).

DH is 6'6", so we refer to test drives as "trying on cars." We found that the driver's seat goes back far enough for his long legs and we can still sit a child behind him in the 2nd row. In his Ford Freestyle, we have to sit the kids in the 3rd row just so he can have his legroom in the driver's seat!

 

[speedyf]

It is true that some foreign cars are built in the US but the companies are foreign which means the profits go to another country. I have always driven an American car and try to buy other American made products whenever possible. I feel better knowing I am supporting my own country and helping to keep our economy going. If you have ever traveled to Japan you will hardly see any American cars. Not because they are not as good, but because the Japanese are smart enough to buy their own products and because Japan and China charge outrageous tariffs (taxes) on US imports to their countries. Besides, with all of the problems with Chinese products lately that is even more incentive to stay in the good old USA! Of course we live in this free country and one of the wonderful things about that is that we have the choice.

Don't want to turn this into a US vs Foreign debate...but, I lived in Tennessee for several years right near the Nissan plant. Even though the profits are supposingly going back to Japan, they are providing many jobs for many American workers with plants here in the US. I have a feeling some of the profits are going back into building more plants in the US.

My dad worked for Calsonic as a Cost Accountant while we lived there. They produced brake pads and chasis for the Nissan trucks. I worked at a factory during the summer for a company that made the seats for the Nissan vehicles. Nissan provided thousands if not tens of thousands of jobs just in the Middle Tennessee area.

Now...most of the GM profits might stay in the US....but, do you know if your vehicle was built in the US? Maybe it was built at one of the GM Mexico plants where some of those profits are flowing out of the US.

http://www.gm.com/company/corp_info/global_operations/north_america/mexi.html

My Toyota was built in Kentucky. Also, there is a reason why the Toyota Camry is the #1 selling sedan in the US....reliability. Consumer Reports consistently ranks them at or near the top every year. I do agree that GM is starting to make up some ground, just like Toyota and the other foreign companies are trying to make up ground in the truck area.

Speed

 

[moppety]

how is it with installing the carseats?

The 4Runner is a breeze with the carseats. The bench is placed high enough that I don't have to bend down to install the carseats. Both are Britax convertibles, so they're pretty big, and I can actually fit in the middle area in case someone gets fussy.

I think they have available 3rd row seating for the 4Runner, we didn't get it because we wanted the cargo room.

HTH!

ETA: Hubby is 6'1" and is comfy driving as well.

 

[shelly3girls]

I should have added to my post that it is very simple to install carseats into the Pilot. We have Britax seats and I can get them rock solid in no time.