The 2021 Toyota Highlander and the 2021 Honda Pilot are very popular as they are both safe, functional, reliable, fuel-efficient, and properly priced mid-sized SUVs. While there are many differences between the 2021 Honda Pilot and 2021 Toyota Highlander, there are similarities as well. Here, each model will be looked at in terms of performance, convenience, and comfort.
Connect with a verified mechanic in minutes. No appointments. No high fees. No waiting. Get back on the road and enjoy the ride.
2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2021 Honda Pilot : 7 Differences
Engine and Performance
Both the 2021 Toyota Highlander and the 2021 Honda Pilot come with a 3.5-liter V6 engines. The 2021 Pilot makes 280hp and 262lb-ft of Torque, while the 2021 Highlander gives out 295hp and 263lb-ft of Torque. The Highlander comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox which can propel it from 0 to 60 in 7.2, while the 2021 Pilot comes with a smoother 9-speed automatic transmission with better feedback, and an excellent 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds.
Interior
The 2021 Pilot offers a better seat folding system with One-Touch second-row seats, to get to the third row using a simple touch of a button, while the 2021 Highlander, requires manual folding of the second-row seats. The 2021 Honda Pilot also comes with a greater maximum passenger volume of 153.1 cubic feet, compared to the 2021 Highlander’s 136 cubic feet passenger volume. Both of them offer seating for up to eight people in their three rows of seating.
Exterior
On the outside, the only difference is in the styling of the body. Both the 2021 Highlander and 2021 Pilot come full option variants come with foglamps, automatic LED headlamps and taillamps, DRLS, powered moonroofs and liftgates, and roof rails. The side mirrors are body colored, heated, and powered in both.
Price and Warranty
The 2021 Highlander costs $34,810, and can go up to around $47,500. The 2021 Pilot’s starting price is $32,250, and can set you back up to $49,920. Both the 2021 Highlander and Pilot are covered by three-year or 36,000-miles, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranties, whichever is achieved first.
Connect with a verified mechanic in minutes. No appointments. No high fees. No waiting. Get back on the road and enjoy the ride.
Fuel Economy
The Toyota Highlander FWD gives 21mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway, while the AWD version consumes 20mpg for the city and 27mpg on highways. The FWD Pilot’s EPA rating is 20mpg for the city and 27mpg for the highway, and 19 city and 26 highway for the AWD version.
Safety and Reliability
While both the Highlander and the Pilot contain standard advanced driver-assist systems, the former has more. It also has an above-average predicted reliability rating, compared to the Pilot’s below-average rating, from JD Power.
2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Honda Pilot: Driving and Riding Experience
While driving, you get a better and more accurate steering response from the 2021 Pilot. The handling is also better and the Pilot feels much lighter across corners. In both the 2021 Highlander and the 2021 Pilot, you will get a comfortable riding experience no matter the type of road.
Verdict:
It is a Tie. Both the SUVs reach a deadlock as the Highlander is safer, more efficient and has more standard features. The Pilot however, is roomier, costs less and comes with a better driving and riding experience.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
Review engine, brake issues, error codes and more with a Mechanic Online in just minutes.
Ask a Mechanic Live Now