Which three-row SUV is better?

How big is big enough when it comes to the three-row crossover SUV? When Honda redesigned the Pilot for the 2023 model year, it got bigger and roomier, opening up to one of the roomiest in the crossover SUV class. Toyota followed it with a larger version of the venerable Highlander dubbed the Grand Highlander. In either case, the brands’ respective minivans present a simplified option to family roominess on four wheels, and no SUV can match the functionality of the sliding door. 

But the soccer mom stigma persists, stupidly, and our preference for SUVs reigns. The 2025 Honda Pilot arrives with a simplified lineup and loaded feature set, as well as a more traditional SUV design, whereas the 2024 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander roll on as two models united by name. Both Honda and Toyota eliminated last year’s base model for a better equipped—and more expensive—entry point. 

Which one is better for you? The Highlander has efficient hybrid power while the Grand Highlander has more refinement and a corresponding price tag. The Pilot flexes off-road capability in its dashing SUV dad bod and they all do well on safety while coming up short on sophisticated interfaces. 

Here’s the breakdown.

Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander price and trims

• Base Pilot Sport costs about $41,500
• Base Toyota Highlander LE costs $40,500
• Base Grand Highlander XLE costs about $46,500
• Best picks: Honda Pilot EX-L for $45,000; Toyota Grand Highlander XLE

Which Toyota Highlander should I buy?

It’s a tale of two models: The Highlander apes the Sienna minivan without the sliding doors, whereas the Grand Highlander extends 6.5 inches longer and stretches into Lexus territory with its appointments and price. 

The Highlander is the value play against the Grand Highlander and the Pilot, especially in hybrid form.

The base $40,515 Highlander LE (including destination fee) seats eight passengers and houses an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power driver seat, a power tailgate, cloth upholstery, and a slew of active safety features we detail below. 

Toyota backs either Highlander with an average 3-year/36,000-mile warranty complemented by two years or 25,000 miles of scheduled service.

All-wheel drive adds $1,600 across the Highlander lineup. The hybrid option adds another $1,600. For the best value and lowest cost of ownership, the $42,115 Highlander LE Hybrid rings the bell. It’s also offered in Nightshade, XSE, XLE, XLE Nightshade, Limited, and Platinum grades, with the latter costing $54,520 as an all-wheel-drive hybrid. The same Grand Highlander only costs about $500 more, so we would definitely size up into the Grand.

In either the Highlander or the larger Grand Highlander, the XLE bundles the best features,  with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a wireless smartphone charger, power front seats that are heated and covered in synthetic leather, and a panoramic sunroof. It’s $45,265 as a Highlander Hybrid AWD or $1,150 more as a similarly equipped Grand Highlander. Again, we’d opt for the extra size of the Grand Highlander. 

The Grand Highlander could be optioned with a more potent hybrid powertrain coming just under $60,000 in top Platinum trim, which might be too much for most Highlander intenders.

Which Honda Pilot should I buy?

The Pilot Sport starts the bidding at $41,295, including the same $1,395 destination fee as the Highlanders. It arrives similarly equipped as the base Highlander, with seating for eight, heated and power-adjustable front seats, four USB ports, but it has a crowded 7.0-inch touchscreen with wired Android and Apple smartphone compatibility. It rolls on 20-inch black wheels that appeal to SUV shoppers. Honda’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty lacks any scheduled maintenance. 

Toyota gets the edge on the base model value, and also for the all-wheel-drive upcharge. It’s $2,100 on the Pilot, except on the $50,495 TrailSport, and $54,175 Elite, and $55,675 Black Edition, where it is standard.

The $44,595 Pilot EX-L bundles the best features for the price, with leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, a power tailgate, and for $300, swaps its middle bench seat for captain’s chairs. 

The Highlander is the better value, all things considered. We’d lean towards the Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD.

Advantage: Toyota Highlander.

Highlander vs. Pilot interior and exterior design

• The Pilot’s a bit of a throwback
• The Highlander comes in two distinct body styles
• The utilitarian Pilot lacks the Highlander’s large touchscreen, but that’s OK

Is the Toyota Highlander a good-looking SUV?

If choices are attractive, then yes, it can be a handsome SUV. The standard Highlander has a body bulge that swoops up over the rear fender, same as in the Sienna minivan but without the sliding doors. Its brash upper and lower grilles pout as if expressing displeasure in rearview mirrors. 

Measuring 6.5 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider, and 2.0 inches taller than the Highlander, the Grand Highlander doesn’t try as hard to assert itself in the homogenous bloat of three-row crossover SUVs. Its smooth body sides, boxy fenders, and calmer front fascia project sophistication and lean more toward the Lexus side of style. 

Inside, the siblings prioritize smart storage spaces such as a passenger shelf for smartphones above the glove box. The Grand Highlander has an open bridge console for more storage space and an electronic gear shifter that takes up a lot less space than the mechanical shifter in the Highlander. Either model can be equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that dominates the dash.

Is the Honda Pilot a good-looking car?

The Honda Pilot embraces some rugged retro style to make it emerge from the bloated segment we referenced above. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the Pilot has a honeycomb grille and wedgy, thin LED headlights supported by C-shaped air intakes. The grille blends into beefy fenders that lead to an upturned pair of rear pillars evoking the original Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo. TrailSport grades ride a little higher and sport all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels as well as roof rails. It’s a good look. 

The Pilot interior takes a clean approach to design that’s more subdued than the Highlander, in part because the touchscreen maxes out at 9.0 inches. Honda sprinkles buttons and knobs for audio and climate in an about-face from its predecessor. Pockets for smartphones, a wireless charging pad, and twin-needle stitching dress up various versions.

Advantage: Pilot TrailSport> Grand Highlander> Pilot> Highlander.

Pilot vs. Highlander size, seating comfort, and cargo capacity

• All three have three rows of seats for eight passengers
• The Grand Highlander is the roomiest
• The Pilot’s removable middle seat adds some flexibility

If size is the key consideration, consider the Grand Highlander first as it is the roomiest and most spacious for passengers. But the Honda Pilot has better slide and fold flexibility, as well as a removable middle seat in the second row, and its second- and third-row seats are easier to fold down. All three models have three seats in the third row. 

How big is the Toyota Highlander?

• Grand Highlander is 201.4 inches long, with a 116.1-inch wheelbase
• Highlander is 194.9 inches long, with a 112.2-inch wheelbase
• Grand Highlander cargo room measures 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows flat
• Highlander cargo space is 16.0/48.4/84.3 cubic feet

The big difference between the Highlander and Grand Highlander comes down to interior space. Either can seat eight passengers, but the Grand Highlander comes standard with captain’s chairs; Toyota lets you opt for a mid-row bench at no cost. The difference in second-row roomines is negligible, with 41 inches of legroom in the second row in Highlander models, but 39.5 inches in the Grand Highlander. In the third row, it’s more pronounced, with the Grand Highlander offering 33.5 inches of rear legroom compared to 27.7 inches in the standard Highlander. 

Whether in hybrid or gas-only models, the second-row seats sit about four inches higher than the floor and that extends to the third-row floor. In the wayback, passengers’ knees sit higher and it could tire out hips and legs more easily on long road trips.

Pull straps that collapse the headrest from the cargo area make folding the 60/40-split third row easy, but the latches on the top of the second-row seats could be a challenge for smaller hands, especially compared to the simple push-button operation of the Pilot.

How big is the Honda Pilot?

• Honda Pilot stretches out to 199.9 inches long, with a 113.8-inch wheelbase
• Cargo space measures out to 18.6/48.5/87.0 cubic feet
• Second-row legroom is 40.8 inches
• Third-row legroom is 32.5 inches

The Pilot can hold up to eight passengers, with a couple of pieces of luggage in tow. It’s not quite as large as the Grand Highlander, but it’s much roomier in all three rows than the standard Highlander. 

Front passengers get supportive seats with power adjustment that, on all but the base version, also come with lumbar support and heating. Leather upholstery is available, and so is a wireless smartphone charger that sits ahead of the shift lever. Like the Highlander, the Pilot molds a storage shelf in front of the passenger for their smartphone and sunglasses.

In row two the Pilot offers a bench seat split into three sections, but on EX-L trims and above, twin captain’s chairs can be had. Touring and Elite versions have a removable middle seat that either collapses into a console or can be stowed in the cargo floor. It weighs about 25 pounds, and is not nearly as bulky as removing a seat from the Honda Odyssey minivan. It offers an alternate entrance to the rear seats by walking down the aisle instead of pushing the button on the seat tops to slide the second row forward. In back, two 6-foot passengers can fit in reasonable comfort with decent headroom and 32.5 inches of rear legroom. 

Advantage: Grand Highlander.

Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot towing, off-road, and performance

• Highlander has three engine options, including two hybrid choices
• Pilot offers only a 285-hp V-6 that makes 262 lb-ft of torque
• Towing maxes out at 5,000 pounds in both models

How fast is the Honda Pilot? Is it 4WD?

Front-wheel drive comes on Sport, EX-L, and Touring, but the available all-wheel-drive system is standard on TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition. It splits torque between the front and rear wheels, and then also splits it between rear wheels for more efficient and effective power delivery. The Pilot TrailSport uses standard hill descent control to help control the vehicle on downhill treks, and with its all-terrain tires it can handle rutted access roads with ease. 

A revamped 3.5-liter V-6 produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft. Coupled with a seamless 10-speed automatic that’s so good it makes the paddle shifters a mere accessory, the Pilot delivers plenty of power. Expect a 0-60 mph time of less than seven seconds. The only knock? Downshifts can be jumpy in Sport mode, which is one of five modes (TrailSport and Elite grades add Trail and Sand mode). Ride and handling are another Pilot plus. Its light steering feels responsive even on base 18-inch all-season tires, while the comforting ride doesn’t get brittle when it’s shod with the available 20-inchers.

Is the Toyota Highlander 4WD?

The Highlander and Grand Highlander come standard with front-wheel drive, while the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max comes standard with all-wheel drive. The basic setup splits off half the power to the rear wheels when slip happens for all-wheel drive on demand. Limited and Platinum gas Highlanders have torque vectoring across the rear axle for more precise power delivery and better handling. Hybrid models with AWD add a third motor powering the rear axle when called upon. 

The hybrid powertrain exclusive to the Grand Highlander uses a full-time all-wheel-drive system that shifts the torque between the axle based on driver inputs and modes: Sport mode has more rear axle torque for better takeoff, and Snow or Rock & Dirt modes have low-speed torque more evenly apportioned for more traction to climb or dislodge.  

How fast is the Toyota Highlander?

It depends. The 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid with two front motor generators is the pokiest but most efficient. Making 243 hp and 175 lb-ft, it gets to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It can run in EV mode at speeds up to about 15 mph, but the powertrain can strain uphill or when demanded. Towing is limited to 3,500 pounds. 

Base versions of both Highlanders share a 2.4-liter turbo-4 that makes 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. In the larger Grand Highlander, the 0-60 mph is 7.5 seconds. Paired with an 8-speed automatic in front- or available all-wheel drive, it’s louder than the hybrids but all that torque comes on early to give it plenty of grunt for passing moves. It acts a lot like the Pilot’s V-6, but the Pilot’s 10-speed automatic earns the advantage here. 

The Hybrid Max powertrain pairs the 2.4-liter turbo-4 with two motors supplementing power to the front and rear axle via a 6-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical driveshaft. Making 362 hp and 400 lb-ft, it prioritizes power as well as efficiency, and gives the Grand Highlander some muscle lacking in other Highlanders. It hits 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

Advantage: Draw. The Pilot’s smoother but the Grand Highlander has much more power.

Honda Pilot vs. Highlander fuel economy

• Highlander hybrid tops out at 36 mpg combined or 35 mpg with AWD
• Grand Highlander hybrid checks in at 34 mpg combined
• Grand Highlander Hybrid Max aspires for 27 mpg combined
• The Honda Pilot maxes out at 22 mpg combined

Is the Toyota Highlander good on gas?

In every form, it’s more efficient than the Pilot, with the base turbo-4 rated at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined with front-wheel drive, or 21/28/24 mpg in AWD. 

In hybrid form, the Highlander is the most efficient three-row crossover without a plug. Front-wheel-drive hybrids earn EPA ratings of 36/35/36 mpg, or 35/35/35 mpg with all-wheel drive. The larger Grand Highlander rates at 36/32/34 mpg, regardless of FWD or AWD.

With standard AWD, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max maxes out at 26/27/27 mpg. Our testing failed to meet it, however, and resulted with a rating more in line with the Highlander turbo-4.

Is the Honda Pilot good on gas?

It’s worse than the Highlander with an EPA rating of 19/27/22 mpg with FWD or 19/25/21 mpg with all-wheel drive. The TrailSport model and its all-terrain tires lower it to 20 mpg combined.

Advantage: The Highlander, across the board.

Highlander vs. Pilot safety

• All three models earn 5-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS
• Standard driver-assist tech includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors
• Grand Highlander can be equipped with a hands-free system operational in traffic jam situations

How safe are the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot?

In addition to the standard safety features mentioned above, most Highlanders and Pilots can be upgraded with parking sensors, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. A limited hands-free driving system for stop-and-go traffic at speeds under 25 mph is offered via subscription on the Grand Highlander.

Advantage: Draw.

Which is better: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander?

The tale of two Highlanders results in a split that sandwiches the Honda Pilot. The Grand Highlander’s larger size and roomier cabin stands above the standard Highlander, but the two hybrid options give both models an edge over the Honda Pilot with a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. 

Limited to just a V-6 option, the Pilot can’t match the efficient options of the Highlander, but it’s similarly well equipped. The seats are more flexible, and the TrailSport model offers something lacking in the expansive Highlander lineup. It’s just a shade off, earning a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.) It’s much better than the standard Highlander, which has not been updated since 2020. 

Winner: The Toyota Grand Highlander.