2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Toyota Highlander

The Pilot spans 285 horsepower and 6 mapped trim positions; the Highlander spans 243 / 265 horsepower and 9. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Pilot carries 6 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Highlander carries 9 and 3, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications6 linked sources

Decision fieldHonda PilotToyota Highlander

Power285 hp243 / 265 hp

DrivetrainFWD / AWDFWD / AWD

Trim map6 published positions9 published positions

Seating7 or 87 or 8

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 3.5L V6 · Output: 285 hpPowertrain: 2.4L turbo gas or 2.5L hybrid · Output: 243 / 265 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Honda Pilot is published to tow is up to 5,000 lb.The most the 2025 Toyota Highlander is published to tow is 3,500 / 5,000 lb.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Pilot: Powertrain 3.5L V6; Output 285 hp. Highlander: Powertrain 2.4L turbo gas or 2.5L hybrid; Output 243 / 265 hp.

Drivetrain

The Pilot is represented with FWD / AWD; the Highlander with FWD / AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Pilot comes in 6 trims and the Highlander in 9. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Honda Pilot is published to tow is up to 5,000 lb. The most the 2025 Toyota Highlander is published to tow is 3,500 / 5,000 lb.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Honda Pilot seats 7 or 8 (three-row SUV). The 2025 Toyota Highlander seats 7 or 8 (three-row SUV).

Model-year note: the Honda Pilot figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it; the Toyota Highlander figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Honda Pilot: 4 records · Toyota Highlander: 3 records.

Decision field	Honda Pilot	Toyota Highlander
Exact EPA records	4	3
Model / option labels	4	3
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	3.5L 6-cyl SIDI	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (S10)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	20–22 MPG/MPGe	24–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2950–3250 per year	$1850–2700 per year

Head to head

Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Honda Pilot	Toyota Highlander
Starting price (KBB base)	$43,690	$47,365
Top trim price (KBB base)	$56,490	$55,020
Horsepower	285 hp	265 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft	310 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,513-4,722 lb	4,376-4,453 lb
Length	199.9-200.4 in	194.9-197.4 in
Wheelbase	113.8 in	112.2 in
Cargo volume	111.8-113.7 cu ft	n/a
Towing capacity	5,000 lb	5,000 lb
Seating	7-8 seats	7-8 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Honda Pilot starts $3,675 lower: $43,690 against $47,365 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Honda Pilot leads: 285 hp against 265 hp.
On peak torque, the Toyota Highlander leads: 310 lb-ft against 262 lb-ft.
The Toyota Highlander is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,376 lb against 4,513 lb.
On length, the Honda Pilot leads: 200.4 in against 197.4 in.
On wheelbase, the Honda Pilot leads: 113.8 in against 112.2 in.
Both list the same maximum towing capacity: 5,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 8 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander.

2026 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002 for the 2003 model year. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. As of 2025, the Pilot is manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario, until April 2007.

Source: Honda Pilot (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Honda Pilot overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (8 campaigns across the latest model years)

July 2026, Suspension:Rear. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly. Consequence: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
January 2026, Seats:Critical Fasteners. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat. As such, these… Consequence: A loose driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
June 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles… Consequence: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Pilot, most often about forward collision avoidance (55), electrical system (43), steering (38).

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000. The Highlander was announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show, arriving in Japan in late 2000, and North America in January 2001.

Source: Toyota Highlander (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota Highlander overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

March 2026, Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Recliner. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment. Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. Consequence: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota Highlander, most often about vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2).

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Highlander lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (29.5 vs. the 2026 Honda Pilot's 21 MPG/MPGe).