2026 Honda Pilot Vs. Toyota Highlander: Detailed SUV Comparison
If you're deciding between the Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander to figure out which one is best for you and your loved ones, we have all the information to help you decide. Although the 2026 Toyota Highlander is a great sport utility vehicle, it still trails in certain areas when compared with the 2026 Honda Pilot. Scroll down to get all the details in our 2026 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander comparison.
Quick Comparison
- If you prioritize power, the Honda Pilot offers 285 horsepower, making it the stronger option compared to the 265-horsepower Highlander.
- Do you tow on occasion? The Honda Pilot provides a Tow Mode across its trim levels.
- While both are considered three-row SUVs, the Honda Pilot contains more legroom in the third row and more overall passenger volume.
- The Honda Pilot has more cargo-carrying capability with its larger standard cargo volume over every Highlander model.
- While the Toyota Highlander has slightly better fuel economy, the fuel tank in the Honda Pilot is larger, which can be ideal for long-distance travel.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander Power & Specs
Family-friendly, off-road capable, and value-packed, the 2026 Honda Pilot is a ready companion for all life's adventures on and off the road. Take the highway for your daily commute or head off the grid to get to your weekend destination with the 285-horsepower V-6 engine under the hood and a multi-link rear suspension.
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a powerful SUV as well, but it does have a lower output of 265 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Additionally, the Pilot offers a Tow Mode across its trim lineup, which the Highlander does not have.
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2026 Honda Pilot | 
2026 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 w/ Eco Assist | 2.4L Turbo 4-Cyl |
| Horsepower | 285 | 265 |
| Drivetrain | 2WD or AWD | AWD |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Cmb) | 19 / 27 / 22 MPG1 - 2WD 19 / 25 / 21 MPG1 - AWD |
21 / 28 / 24 MPG2 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Noise-Reducing Technology | Active Noise Cancellation standard | Noise-reducing front side windows available |
| Standard Tow Mode | Yes | No |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 - 5,000 lbs3 | 5,000 lbs4 |
| Passenger Seating | 7 or 8 | 7 or 8 |
| Primary Safety System | Honda Sensing | Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ |
The 2026 Honda Pilot offers more horsepower and a Tow Mode, making it more powerful and capable than either version of the Toyota Highlander.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander Comfort & Tech
Inside the entry-level 2026 Honda Pilot Sport, you'll find many comfort and convenience features like heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a large infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Go up the trim level ladder to the Touring trim and add a Bose® premium audio system, or if you're looking for something adventure-ready, check out the TrailSport edition. This grade adds a panoramic moonroof and TrailWatch Camera system for a surround view of the off-road terrain around you.
The cabin space in the new Toyota Highlander offers similar comforts, even in its base form. This includes standard SofTex seating and available leather upholstery in the higher trims. However, you'll have a much smaller 8-inch touchscreen display compared to the larger 12.3-inch one in the Pilot.
Furthermore, they both provide standard or available amenities like wireless smartphone connectivity, a digital driver information display, wireless device charging, and a one-touch power moonroof. If you're an audiophile, though, you may like the standard nine-speaker audio system in the Honda Pilot, which produces better sound than the six-speaker system in the Highlander.
The Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot have similar comfort and tech features, but the Pilot offers more in its standard form.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander Dimensions & Cargo
If you're wondering which SUV in our Highlander vs. Pilot comparison is the larger option, the Pilot SUV is a clear winner. While it does not have the same front-seat legroom as the Highlander, it does have more head and legroom in the second and third rows, which is where it counts in a family-focused, three-row SUV.
As for cargo space, the Honda Pilot holds more cargo volume behind each row than the Toyota Highlander, which makes it more useful when hauling large items. That doesn't mean you can't carry bulkier objects in the Highlander, but you can fit more in the Pilot.
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2026 Honda Pilot | 
2026 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length / Width / Height | 200.4 / 78.5 / 72 in | 194.9 / 76 / 68.1 in |
| Max Cargo Capacity Behind Row 3 | 22.4 cu ft | 16 cu ft |
| Max Cargo Capacity Behind Row 2 | 60.1 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft |
| Max Cargo Capacity Behind Row 1 | 112.4 cu ft | 84.3 cu ft |
| Max Legroom (Row 1 / 2 / 3) | 41 / 40.8 / 32.5 in | 42 / 38.7 / 28 in |
The Honda Pilot offers more overall cargo and passenger volume, making it more comfortable and versatile than the Highlander.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander MPG & Fuel Economy
Choose the Honda Pilot, and you will have a choice between a FWD configuration, which earns up to an EPA-estimated 19/27/22 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),1 or an optional AWD format that scores an EPA-estimated 19/25/21 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).1 The Toyota Highlander now comes standard with AWD, which generates up to an EPA-estimated 21/28/24 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),2 equating to better fuel economy ratings on paper.
However, real-world driving habits can play a factor, making the Pilot vs. Highlander fuel economy comparison a close race. Additionally, the new Honda Pilot for sale has a larger fuel tank, which may help reduce the need to stop for fuel on longer trips in Tilton, NH.
While the Toyota Highlander offers better fuel efficiency, the Honda Pilot can still keep up with its larger gas tank, which evens out the score in this category.
See the 2026 Honda Pilot at Planet Honda
After comparing the 2026 Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot, it's easy to see how the Pilot brings more value to your drive — but don't take our word for it. Stop by our showroom at Planet Honda for an in-person tour and test drive, and learn more about how you can upgrade with one of our Honda Pilot lease deals. Our sales team looks forward to working with you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV has more towing capacity: the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander?
The Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander both score a 5,000-pound tow rating when properly equipped. However, the Honda Pilot has a standard V-6 engine that delivers smooth, consistent power, which can give you more confidence when hauling. The Toyota Highlander has a similar tow rating but is equipped with a smaller four-cylinder powertrain.
Does the Honda Pilot have more interior space than the Toyota Highlander?
With up to 158.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, the 2026 Honda Pilot has more interior space than the Toyota Highlander, which tops out at 139.5 cubic feet of passenger space. In addition to the total amount of volume, the Honda Pilot also has more second and third-row leg and headroom, which is where it counts the most for family-friendly SUVs.
Which is quieter: the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander?
When it comes to lowering road and wind noise, both the Honda Pilot and Highlander have features that help make your cabin experience more refined; however, the Pilot comes equipped with standard Active Noise Cancellation. It also offers acoustic glass for the windshield and front side glass. The Toyota Highlander only gets comparable noise-reducing features on higher trim levels.