Toyota Highlander Vs. Honda Pilot: Compare 2025 Specs, Size & MPG
If you're comparing the Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander to find the best family SUV for you and your crew, we've got all the juicy details to help you choose. The 2025 Highlander is an average sport-ute with below-average interior space, while the new Honda Pilot has a buttery smooth V-6 engine, more generous cargo space, a roomy three-row cabin, and an all-new Black Edition trim.
Short on time and need to make a quick decision? Use the following section to compare the most critical stats of the gas-powered 2025 Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot!
Quick Summary
- If higher horsepower is on your wishlist, the new Honda Pilot and its 285 horsepower are your best bet.
- Interested in occasional towing? Only the 2025 Honda Pilot has a standard Tow Mode.
- Both the Pilot and the Highlander are built with three rows, but the Honda SUV will seat adults more comfortably on its back bench.
- The Honda Pilot also maxes out your cargo capacities in every configuration and gives you an extra 6.4 cubic feet of standard cargo room than the Highlander trims.
- You can expect the Highlander trims to get a slightly higher MPG; however, the Pilot allows you to travel far with a larger 18.5-gallon gas tank.
What Are the Key Specs of the Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander?
Off-road-ready, full-family-sized, and uncompromisingly capable – the 2025 Honda Pilot wraps every spec you need into one stylish package. Conquer the asphalt or the trail with the Pilot SUV's 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and multi-link rear suspension that can create a smooth ride even on bumpy surfaces.
Toyota engineers market their Highlander trims as adventurous and outdoorsy, but its smaller 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder beneath the hood only generates 265 horsepower. You can buy or lease a hybrid Toyota Highlander trim, but doing so will lower power output to 243 horsepower.
Both SUVs come equipped with helpful drive modes, including Normal, ECON/Eco, Sport, and Snow, but only the Honda Pilot offers a dedicated Tow Mode in every trim. The Pilot SUV also has Trail and Sand Modes in certain models; you can't access a Trail mode in the Toyota Highlander unless you upgrade to a hybrid model.
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| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 w/ Eco Assist | 2.4L Turbo 4-Cyl |
| Horsepower | 285 | 265 |
| Drivetrain | 2WD or AWD | FWD or AWD |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Cmb) | 19 / 27 / 22 MPG1 - 2WD 19 / 25 / 21 MPG1 - AWD |
22 / 29 / 25 MPG2 - FWD 21 / 28 / 24 MPG2 - AWD |
| 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 | (non-hybrid) 5,000 lbs4 |
| Passenger Seating | 7 or 8 | 7 or 8 |
| Primary Safety System | Honda Sensing | Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ |
Which SUV Gets Better MPG: the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander?
Pick a Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot trim, and you'll gain access to 2WD or AWD configurations, with 2WD giving you the highest gas mileage across both lineups. On paper, the Highlander SUV delivers a slightly higher MPG than the Pilot models, but small MPG differences often relate to driving style. With this in mind and the fact that the Honda Pilot has a larger gas tank, these two SUVs are fairly evenly matched in fuel efficiency.
How Do the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander Compare in Size?
If your choice between a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander boils down to dimensions, the Pilot SUV is your winner because it maximizes your cabin and cargo space in ways the Highlander model just can't. If you need an SUV with an adult-sized third row and a useful standard trunk, one of the Pilot trims is the better option.
Leverage our new Honda specials to choose your favorite Honda trim now.
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| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length / Width / Height | 200.2 / 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 | 113.7 cu ft | 84.3 cu ft |
| Max Legroom (Row 1 / 2 / 3) | 41 / 40.8 / 32.5 in | 42 / 38.7 / 28 in |
What Interior Features Set the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander Apart?
Inside the 2025 Pilot SUV, you'll find convenient touches like cargo area bag hooks and illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, even in the entry-level Sport model. Slide up to the Touring edition to add a Bose® premium sound system. The TrailSport trim adds a panoramic moonroof and a TrailWatch Camera System for a live view of off-road terrain, while the Elite and brand-new Black Edition trims give you a Head-Up Display and ventilated front seats.
The new Toyota Highlander cabin makes similar strides: Its entry-level trim is cloaked in cloth upholstery, and upper levels gain SofTex and leather seating. It will be harder to fight off those cold New Hampshire mornings in a Toyota Highlander LE, though, because you won't find heated seats on this SUV unless you choose a more expensive trim.
Both SUVs feature Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, a digital driver information display in their base models, as well as wireless device charging and a one-touch power moonroof as you move through their lineups. If you love a good sound system, the entry-level Pilot Sport trim comes with a seven-speaker audio system and subwoofer; the Toyota Highlander LE has only six speakers with no additional bass notes provided by a subwoofer.
Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander Safer?
Why compromise on your family's safety when you could have all the Honda Sensing technologies on your side? With an exhaustive list of standard and available driver-assistance programs on the 2025 Honda Pilot trims, this SUV truly has safety down to a science:
- Cross Traffic Monitor
- Driver Attention Monitor
- Blind Spot Information System
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Auto High-Beam Headlights
- Traffic Jam Assist
Choose a Toyota Highlander trim, and you'll take home the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system, which sounds fancy in name but doesn't offer the same protections as the Honda Sensing technologies. Here's an overview of the Toyota safety system for comparison:
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Road Sign Assist
Shop Our 2025 Honda Pilot Inventory in Tilton, NH
Step into safety, space, and superior performance when you buy or lease a 2025 Honda Pilot! Our Honda dealer in Tilton, NH, is your one-stop shop for new and used Honda models, exceptional auto maintenance and service, and competitive finance and lease offers. Visit today to test-drive the new Honda Pilot or chat about our automotive specials. In the meantime, compare the Honda Pilot to the Subaru Ascent to see how it once again outpaces the competition. We can't wait to meet you!
Which is more reliable: the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot?
Reliability is an important consideration when car shopping. A quick look at Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot reliability ratings shows us that the 2025 Honda Pilot takes the crown. According to RepairPal, the Honda Pilot and the Toyota SUV have lower-than-average annual repair costs,5,6 but only the new Honda Pilot earned a 4.7 overall score, per Kelley Blue Book®.7
Which is quieter: the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot?
The 2025 Honda Pilot equips every trim with Active Noise Cancellation, a technology system that neutralizes wind, road, and engine sounds and makes the Pilot cabin exceptionally quiet. Unfortunately, the new Toyota Highlander only provides noise-reducing front-side windows in its top two trims, so you'll have to put up with some extra cabin noise unless you opt for a higher-priced Highlander model.
Which is more spacious: the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander?
The 2025 Honda Pilot gives you and your family more cabin and cargo space in nearly every row and configuration. The Highlander SUV skimps on legroom, giving third-row passengers only 28 inches. The Honda Pilot maximizes comfort with 32.5 inches of third-row legroom, more second-row legroom, and up to 5.8 cubic feet more standard trunk space than any Highlander trims offer.
About The Author
Planet Honda NH is a leading expert in Honda vehicles, offering a customer-first, eco-conscious approach to car buying and service. As a certified Green Dealer and Water Conservation Badge recipient, Planet Honda is proud to lead with sustainability while delivering exceptional value and care to drivers across New Hampshire.