2023 Honda Pilot vs 2023 Toyota Highlander: A Tight Duel!

Comparisons often help us make the right choice. When a close duel between the 2023 Honda Pilot and the 2023 Toyota Highlander looms, the comparative aspect takes on added importance.

It is often on closer examination of the two vehicles that the details become clearer, and a winner can be determined in the end. Read on to discover the winner!

Honda vs Toyota: Efficient Powertrains

Both the 2023 Pilot and the Highlander offer efficient powertrains, but a closer look reveals some differences.

Under the hood of the Honda Pilot for sale is a 3.5L V6 engine that develops 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This cavalry is coupled with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine has not aged and remains extremely dynamic.

For its part, the Toyota Highlander can count on a 4-cylinder, 2.4 L turbo engine. With its turbo engine, you’d think the Highlander would be more powerful than its rival, the 2023 Honda Pilot. But that’s not the case, as the Highlander develops 262 hp, 18 hp less than the Pilot. On the other hand, its torque is more generous (310 lb-ft).

Éric LeFrançois, writing in La Presse, describes the 2023 Honda Pilot engine as follows:

“This V6 is also recognized for its greater flexibility of use, greater discretion and better use of its resources by the 10-speed transmission, whose performance is less chaotic and more responsive than that of its predecessor.”

In terms of power, Honda’s mid-size SUV wins this round, especially as it can do 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds versus 7.5 for the Highlander. What’s unfortunate for the Toyota SUV is that this is a new turbo engine, and you’d think Toyota’s engineers would have pulled out all the stops to make their SUV even more powerful. But in their defense, the Toyota Highlander is also available in hybrid mode.

Pilot vs Highlander: Similar Sizes, And yet...

We are talking about two mid-size SUVs. And mid-size means larger. Let’s take a look at the following table:

It’s true to say that the Honda Pilot is 40 mm longer, 98 mm wider and 64 mm higher.

But what sets the two vehicles apart even more is that inside the 2023 Honda Pilot, up to eight occupants can go on an adventure, compared with seven for the Toyota Highlander.

The space configuration of the 2023 Honda Pilot interior allows it to seat more passengers than its Toyota Highlander competitor.

Different Capacities

In terms of cargo capacity, the Honda Pilot is far ahead of its rival. In fact, cargo capacity extends from 524 L to 3,087 L with the seats lowered.

As for the Toyota Highlander, its trunk capacity ranges from 453 L to 2,387 L with the seats lowered.

In all cases, the Pilot wins the race, with its larger size and ample space for occupants and luggage.

The Honda Pilot towing capacity and that of the Toyota Highlander is equivalent, at 5,000 lb or 2,268 kg. Toyota’s hybrid model, however, has a towing capacity of 3,500 lb or 1,588 kg.

A Myriad of Versions

The new Honda Pilot and its long-time competitor, the Toyota Highlander, offer a vast choice of versions, each more appealing than the last.

The Honda Pilot is available in five versions: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Black Edition. As for the Toyota Highlander, it offers the following gasoline versions: LE, XLE, XSE and Limited.

By strictly comparing the two gasoline-powered vehicles, the Honda Pilot offers five versions of its SUV, while the Highlander comes in four. If we add Toyota’s hybrid model, it comes in three versions.

In short, both vehicles give customers a good and varied choice of trim levels.

Who Wins This Duel?

In the light of our comparisons and supporting evidence, the 2023 Honda Pilot price, with its competitive starting amount, wins this duel over the Toyota Highlander, its rival.

In fact, it is more powerful, and offers more space for passengers and equipment. Come and discover all trims of the new Honda Pilot today at Lombardi Honda Montréal, near the North and South Shores. An experienced team awaits you!