Family SUVs designed for adventure
The three-row SUV segment is fairly competitive, and the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are top picks for several reasons. Both Japanese models come with a comfortable interior and five-star overall safety ratings from the NHTSA. The Honda Pilot is the cheaper of the two, priced from $40,200, but not by much, with the Highlander close behind at $40,320. As similar as they are, these SUVs have some key differences that could make one the better pick for your family’s travel needs.
Honda
1. The 2025 Honda Pilot offers more interior space
The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander both come with a standard third row, bringing seating up to seven or eight passengers. The Pilot’s wheelbase measures 113.8 inches, a little longer than the Highlander’s 112.2 inches. While it may not seem like much, that inch and a half makes a pretty notable difference when it comes to interior space.
Honda
When it comes to cargo space, the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft. with all three rows in their upright position. The Highlander falls short at 16 cu ft. of cargo space, but with the third row folded down, the contest gets much closer, with 48.5 and 48.4 cu ft. of cargo space in the Pilot and Highlander, respectively. Stowing both the second- and third-row seats increases the Pilot’s cargo space to 87 cu ft., just a bit more than the Highlander’s 84.3 cu ft.
Passenger volume is a similar story. The Pilot takes home the win with 158.4 cu ft. of space, dwarfing the Highlander’s 141.8 cu ft. Much of the Pilot’s advantage shows itself in the third row, which offers 39.3 inches of headroom and 32.5 inches of legroom. The Highlander’s third row measures in at 36.1 and 28 inches of headroom and legroom, respectively.
Toyota
2. The 2025 Toyota Highlander boasts higher fuel economy
While the Honda Pilot may have more interior space, it falls behind the Highlander when it comes to fuel efficiency. When equipped with 2WD, most 2025 Pilot models earn up to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. When comparably equipped, the 2025 Highlander is more efficient, earning up to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Toyota
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Upgrading to AWD in the Honda Pilot reduces fuel economy by two miles per gallon on the highway. Toyota Highlander models equipped with AWD see their fuel economy reduced by one mile per gallon in both categories. Notably, the Toyota Highlander comes in hybrid form, priced from $46,820, while the Pilot is only available with a gas engine. The Highlander Hybrid AWD earns even better fuel economy, up to 35 mpg in both categories.
3. The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers better towing capability
If you’re looking for raw performance numbers, the Honda Pilot offers higher output thanks to its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. That combination produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Highlander comes powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, generating 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Honda
At a glance, both family SUVs seem pretty evenly matched, with just 20 horsepower separating them. When it comes to towing, however, torque is the more important metric. Both the Pilot and Highlander can tow up to 5,000 lbs., but the Pilot can only handle that weight when equipped with AWD. Models equipped with 2WD are limited to a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. On Toyota’s end, the Highlander can tow up to 5,000 lbs. regardless of the SUV’s drivetrain, thanks in part to its higher torque figure.
In the Toyota Highlander, upgrading to AWD will cost you an additional $1,600. In the Pilot, opting for AWD will run you another $2,100. If towing capacity is a priority in your next family SUV, keep in mind that the Highlander will offer the higher capacity without AWD, potentially saving you a nice chunk of change.
Toyota
Final thoughts
While the 2025 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are both solid family vehicles, they each have their strengths to take into consideration. The Pilot offers a more spacious interior for both passengers and cargo, but the Highlander is more efficient and boasts a higher towing capacity at a lower price. If efficiency is your primary concern, consider the Highlander Hybrid as well. No matter what way you lean, make sure to take both family SUVs for a test drive before you buy!