Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander

I have driven the Pilot as a rental car and liked it a lot. My only complaint was that when the third row seat was there, there wasn't much cargo room. I like the Chevy Traverse, which is similar to the Pilot with more cargo room.

I have had my Pilot since 2004 and absolutely LOVE it! Would not trade it for anything and will drive it into the ground...LOL! I have a 6 y/o and a 2 y/o and they love the DVD player and have no problem having extra passengers in the 3rd seat. Honda rocks!

I was torn between these same 2 cars and test drove both. I've always only owned Hondas, but the Highlander won me over. I loved the interior design and also felt like it had more power. I've been extremely H. with mine.

This may be a bit late, but we looked at several of the third row SUVs and went with the Chevy Traverse. The Hondas third row wasn't as roomy or comfortable as the Chevy and after looking at the safety ratings online we quickly ditched the idea of any Toyota SUV. I had never liked the idea of having an SUV, but have found that in the Traverse I don't feel like I'm up super high or that I may flip over when going around curves or at higher speeds.

We have two boys 2 and 11 months and it's been so easy getting them, all our stuff, and other people in and out of the car even with carseat placement. I highly recommend cheching into either the Traverse or Acadia.

I have a 2005 Highlander and love it. I trust it completely and have had no problems (knock on wood!). When I test drove the Pilot, I felt that there were more blind spots for me personally. One of my friends has the Pilot however, and also loves her choice. I agree with a previous poster that the recalls were with specific models not on the entire line itself. Good luck! :)

We recently purchased a used '08 Highlander and LOVE it! We have been looking at the Highlanders and Pilots for a few years now and are really H. with our decision (especially since the '08s are not in the recall). Starting in '08 the new Highlander design made it more spacious than the Pilot. We have seated adults in the back with plenty of space (my husband sat back there with our toddler and he's a big man). We love how the middle row can be made into captains seats with the removable middle seat. This family of 4 (plus one golden retriever) and completely satisfied with our purchase. Good luck with your search!

Why not buy American??

I wanted to let you know that the Compass booster seats fit well in the Pilot. I found that some of the boosters seats have a very wide seat and makes it difficult to buckle the seatbelt, specifically in the 3rd row on the smaller side of the split. The Compass has a sort-of cut out space that makes it easier to reach the seatbelt. Also, you can fold it up and it will fit behind the 3rd row when you don't need it.

Enjoy your new Pilot!

We had a 2008 Pilot that we traded in a few weeks ago on a 2010 - WORST mistake we've made! The transmission has had so many problems they're trading us out to a new car on Monday, but we're being told it's just how the transmission on the new vehicles runs.

So unhappy, but to get out of the car just 5 days after purchasing it would have cost us almost $3000.

So bummed. I miss our old Pilot.

We have had 4 toyotas and We loved them all. We now have a 2009 highlander. I don't know about the honda Pilot but the highlander has a lot of power and I have not had any trouble with the gas pedal sticking. I think they are blowing this all out of proportion about the recalls. As for the 3rd row seat, we don't use it a lot, but we have used it and at least two adults or three children could fit in it. We also have a back up camera in ours, which is not that important but sometimes comes in handy. It has plenty of room for us because our children are grown,but we do have grandchildren that ride with us occasionally. I had a chevy before we went to toyota and had plenty of trouble with it. I had trouble with the paint peeling and mechanical issues. I don't think I will go to GM again. All the Car Companies have had recalls . How do you know there won't be a recall on the one you buy. You just take a chance with them all.

I have a zillion friends and my brother who all own the Pilot and are as H. as can be. I don't know one person who has ever said anything negative about it. My brother checked both the Pilot and the Highlander out before he bought his Pilot (because he liked the look of the Highlander better) and went with the Pilot. Some of his reasons that I remember are that the Pilot handled better and had easier access to and more leg room in the third row. Hope that helps.

check out the jeep commander. love it!!

Hi,
I'd love to read the replies you get, as we just had our 2nd child last week and are considering the same change and have narrowed it down to those 2 cars as well:) They both have the 3rd row, right?
Thanks,
-Wendy

I'm not familiar with the Highlander, but I can tell you I've owned a 2004 Pilot for years and there's nothing I don't absolutely love about it! I did my research - it's a great SUV ... just the right size. The the reviews I found were all glowing. I will keep my Pilot till it literally falls apart, then I'll probably cry. LOL

Good luck with your decision!

I've had neither... but honestly with all the problems that Toyota is having, why would you consider buying one? It's like an accident waiting to happen. I would go with Honda. I had a Camry once but it was long before these problems and I loved it, but I would certainly not buy one now and take a chance with me or my family. Just my thoughts...

Love my Nissan Murano!!

Good choice. We also evaluated Highlander and Pilot about 11-months ago and ended up with Pilot. Cant be happier.

Pilot indeed offers more space for luggage and 3rd row seat is much better/spacious. Even if you compare the 2nd row seat in Pilot and Highlander - pilot can seat 3 adults much more comfortably.

I was not sure either but my husband sold me on the '09 Pilot I luv it rides great we are a family of five very roomy. I had me,two sisters and five kids and we rode comfortalby with 2 of them in booster seats. Great radio system loves that it tells you when something needs to looked at as far as car service. JUST LOVE IT NOT PROBLEMS and it's year and half old and got a great deal on it.

I just bought a Pilot last month, Feb. That was right when all the Toyota info. was just being released. I test drove both the Pilot and the Highlander. The Highlander was a bit smoother drive than the Pilot. I went with the Pilot because I sit up higher, it is a bit wider. I have three kids, 13, 11, 6. The big factor was the Pilot has a split third row seat, which the Highlander does not. With three kids we can put the oldest in the third row, put down the other half of the third row seat and put our luggage there.The Highlander does not let us do that.
The Pilot is fun to drive and I am very H. with my decision.
Best of luck.
P.S. I traded in a '05 Toyota Sienna and was very H. with Toyota. Just preferred the Pilot for the three above mentioned.

Take a look at the Yahoo car site. You can do a side by side comparison with is cool. But I say test drive and go with what you like

Just want to say Congrats!!!! I have a 13 and 15 year old. I pick up and drop off every day from school, at least three times a week the Pilot is full of teenagers and I Love It!!!!! We also make a eight hour drive every month to Colorado and It handles all of our luggage, dog and gives both children their own seats (reduces fighting). =0) Hope you love it as much as we do. Best of luck!

I was a long time Toyota owner, and I really wanted another Toyota. We looked at both the Highlander and the Pilot, and chose the Pilot! The deciding factor was the 3rd row. We have 3 kids, and the 3 person 3rd row meant that every child could bring a friend on an outing.

My husband and I both sat in the 3rd row when we were testing the cars (much to the amusement at the car dealerships, who had never seen two adults do that), and we both liked the Pilot 3rd row better.

I affectionately call my Pilot my "box on wheels". There is just no glamor in it, but it is a great car and I am very, very H. we chose it. The back up camera is far more useful than I ever thought...

As for price, when we bought in 2006, we got a better deal on the Pilot by using the internet to price vehicles and put one dealer against another. Having said that, I am sure you could get a great deal on the Highlander these days.

I am a faithful Toyota owner, but when we got our last car, chose the Honda Pilot. I LOVE the 8 seat capacity & the all-wheel drive. It handles great in the snow, when we go up there. It is easy to adjust the seating, going from 5 seats to 6 or 7 or 8 in a jiffy. Great for when last minute playdates pop up. My 10 year old daughter usually makes the adjustments. It only gets 20 mpg, which I think is low. I'm not sure how the Highlander compares. I love the radio controls on the steering wheel. (Miner detail, but I use it every day.)
Our DVD player stopped functioning correctly about 9 months after we got it. A loud buzzing noise is the only thing heard from the headphones. We can't get it to stop. Bought new headphones, same problem. Heard that other Pilots had the same problem.
It's a smooth ride and we can get 2 families of 4 in it (even 2 grown men in the back). It's tight, but doable.

I've had both and prefer the Pilot. Seems to have more room, especially in the back seat.

I have owned and still love my '04 Honda Pilot. I actually was looking at the Highlander and Pilot when considering my purchase. The Pilot won out for the handling, hauling and for being ten times more comfortable. I have three children and seem to be hauling kids and stuff without compromising my space and comfort. All three of my kids told me they liked the comfort of the Honda and the large 3rd row seat has been a god-send when on long trips with the need for separation.

The newer models of the Honda Pilot have a smart engine that uses only the cylinders needed for the driving conditions. I am not aware if Toyota offers this, it certainly may. This would be something to look into before your purchase. It should reduce gas usage. Good luck on your ultimate selection.

We love our Pilot. Great trunk space and with the third row split seating, we can put the 4 year old in the third row and the 2 year old behind the driver. This way an adult can ride in the second row without moving car seats around.

We have a Pilot and love it! We've had it for 7 years. It is a great SUV. Handles well in the snow. Never had any problems with it.

I'd go American made. I know Toyotas are light in the back and makes me feel unsafe. I have a Chevrolet Trailblazer for 5 years now and I love it! I now will only consider GMC or Chevrolet for an SUV. Good luck.

Hi, Sandra! I thought your post was funny because I posted the EXACT same question back in September!! We were torn between a Pilot and a Highlander, but we eventually decided to go with a 2007 Highlander. We are SO H. with our decision- we love it!! The third row has a lot more room than some people may think and the car itself runs sooo smoothly.

I did, however, hear that the 2010 Highlanders were recalled.

Best of luck with your decision!

I have owned two Highlanders in a row and would buy a third tomorrow. The first one now belongs to my 17 year old daughter. Check the website - the problems are with specific models. Cars are extremely expensive to own and if you are buying something in that class you want to drive it for ten years. Plus you will get the deal of the century right now.

I have a Honda Pilot on my wishlist because I love the fact that it can use only 3 cylinders when needed. I love the look of the Pilot. I currently own a CRV and it is 11 years old and I will just run it until it won't go anymore. I have had several of the Civics also and Honda makes a great engine.

I don't know about Toyota's but you could not pay me to drive one right now.

I'm sure you'll get a great deal on it.

I did all the research on both cars as I was torn 4 mos ago on which one to get as well. They are both comparable and I do like my Pilot, however, if I were to buy one now, it most certainly would be the Highlander...only because you can get a much better deal on one since the recalls and if you're buying a new one just make sure that the one your getting isn't on the recall list. Toyota isn't going to risk their reputation any further so I'm sure all new Toyota's will be going through rigorous inspections. My last SUV was a Toyota 4 Runner and it was so reliable and I sold it at 120k without ever having to do any major repairs on it. My husband has a Landcruiser and has never has any issues with it, now 95k miles.

We were checking out the same 2 cars (prior to the recall) and opted for the Highlander, primarily because it was a slightly smaller vehicle and a little more affordable than the Pilot.