Choosing a family SUV can feel like navigating a maze, especially when two titans like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are vying for your attention. Both are seasoned players, offering space, versatility, and that all-important peace of mind for busy households. But when you dig a little deeper, you find they each have their own distinct personality and approach to family hauling.
Let's start with the sticker price, because that's often the first hurdle. For the 2025 models, the Honda Pilot Sport 2WD kicks off at a slightly lower $40,200, while the Toyota Highlander LE FWD is right there with it at $40,320. It's a difference so small it's almost negligible, suggesting both are keenly priced to compete. And when you factor in the $1,495 delivery fee for both, the initial investment is practically a wash.
Under the hood is where things start to diverge. The Highlander leans into a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, putting out a respectable 265 horsepower. It also boasts a healthy 310 lb.-ft. of torque, which can be quite useful when you're loaded up. The Pilot, on the other hand, sticks with a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6, offering a bit more grunt with 285 horsepower. However, its torque figure comes in lower at 262 lb.-ft. It's interesting to see these different philosophies – Toyota's turbo-four versus Honda's naturally aspirated V6. You might wonder which one feels more responsive in everyday driving.
Fuel economy is always a hot topic, and here, the Highlander seems to have a slight edge. The 2025 Highlander LE FWD is rated at an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined, with 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Pilot Sport FWD, meanwhile, is rated at 22 mpg combined, 19 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. Over the long haul, those few extra miles per gallon can certainly add up, especially with gas prices being what they are.
When it comes to hauling groceries, sports equipment, or luggage for a road trip, cargo space is king. The Pilot Sport nudges ahead here, offering 18.6 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, compared to the Highlander's 16.0 cubic feet. Fold those seats down, and the Pilot continues its lead with 87.0 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 84.3 cubic feet. It's not a massive difference, but if you frequently find yourself maxing out your cargo capacity, that extra couple of cubic feet in the Pilot might be just what you need.
Both vehicles are designed to carry up to eight passengers, so seating capacity isn't a deciding factor. Headroom and legroom are also quite comparable, with both offering ample space for front and rear occupants. The Highlander offers slightly more front headroom (41.2 inches vs. 40.5 inches) and legroom (42.0 inches vs. 41.0 inches), while the Pilot has a touch more rear headroom (40.2 inches vs. 39.4 inches) and legroom (40.8 inches vs. 38.7 inches). It’s the kind of detail you’d only really notice if you were comparing them side-by-side with a tape measure, or perhaps if you were particularly tall or short.
On the safety front, both the 2025 Highlander and Pilot come equipped with a robust suite of standard driver-assist features. You'll find blind-spot warning, collision warning systems with automatic braking, electronic traction control, stability control, and lane departure warnings that actively steer you back into your lane. Both also include standard front airbags for driver and passenger, and importantly, standard side curtain airbags for all three rows. The Pilot does offer standard cornering brake control, which the Highlander doesn't list, but both are clearly prioritizing safety.
When it comes to the transmission, the Highlander uses an 8-speed automatic, while the Pilot steps up with a 10-speed automatic. More gears can sometimes translate to smoother shifts and better efficiency, but it really depends on the tuning. The Highlander also lists a turbo compressor as standard, which is part of its engine setup, while the Pilot does not.
Ultimately, the choice between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander comes down to prioritizing what matters most to you. If fuel efficiency is your top concern, the Highlander might have the edge. If you need every last cubic foot of cargo space, the Pilot makes a strong case. Both offer excellent safety features and comfortable interiors for eight, making them formidable contenders in the mid-size SUV segment. It’s a friendly rivalry, and one that benefits us consumers by pushing these excellent vehicles to be their best.
