2019 Toyota Highlander vs. 2019 Honda Pilot
Toyota and Honda have always gone head-to-head with their vehicles, with both producing some of the most popular vehicles on the market. The Camry and the Corolla lead sales in their class, as do the Accord and the Civic. It only makes sense that these two automotive giants would make some great SUVs, as well.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander and the 2019 Honda Pilot are two of the best SUVs available. They are both gorgeous SUVs that are just as suitable for young professionals as they are for growing families. Plus, they offer dependable performance and the features you'll love. We've put together a comparison of these two competitive SUVs to help you understand which might be a better option for you:
Exterior Comparison
Both the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot have the size and overall shape of a minivan, but they have the stylings of an SUV. They have a longer back end like the minivan, but they have more body moldings, angular windows, and rear spoilers that make them look more sporty.
The Toyota Highlander has a stronger front end, with an open fascia instead of the plain, body colored bar. The headlights wrap slightly around the sides, like small wing tips, creating an interesting detail. The perimeter lights blend into the fascia, rather than being highlighted by black detailing like on the Pilot.
The Highlander is also shorter and narrower than the Pilot, which will make it easier to maneuver in tight spaces and give you more parking options.
Interior and Technology
You'll have seating for eight people in both the 2019 Toyota Highlander and the 2019 Honda Pilot. The standard configuration comes with two rows of bench seats. However, you do have the option to choose captain's seats for the second row, which will cut seating capacity down to seven.
The Highlander offers about four inches more legroom in the front, but both have the same legroom in the back.
Both come with standard features like power windows and door locks, but the Highlander offers a CD player where the Pilot doesn't. Likewise, the Pilot offers a power driver seat, but the Highlander doesn't. The Highlander has heated mirrors, but the Pilot doesn't, and the Highlander puts the mirror controls on the arm rest for easy access, but the Pilot hides them behind the steering wheel on the dash, making it difficult to reach them. Both SUVs offer an eight-color touchscreen for the infotainment system. The Highlander offers connectivity for iPods or allows for Bluetooth streaming, but the Pilot offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring that all devices can be easily streamed.
The Highlander has a bit less cargo space than the Pilot, but it makes up for it by offering the additional legroom in the front and more comfortable quarters for all passengers. The Highlander also loses a bit of cargo space because of its shorter length, but the benefit is that you are able to get in and out of tight spaces a little more easily in the Highlander.
You'll enjoy a comfortable ride in both the Highlander and the Pilot, but you'll need to decide which convenience features are most important to you, and then you'll need to decide if it's worth adding a package to get them.
Performance
You get more engine options with the 2019 Toyota Highlander than you do with the Honda Pilot.
The base model Highlander comes with a 2.7-liter Inline 4 engine that puts out 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. If you want more power, you can upgrade to the 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. That engine gets an estimated 21 mpg in in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. If you want an engine that's more fuel-efficient, you can opt for the hybrid 3.5-liter V6. It puts out a net 306 horsepower, but it gets an estimated 30 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Meanwhile, you have only one engine option with the 2019 Honda Pilot. The base model comes with a 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. You'll get more horsepower than the base model Highlander offers, but you won't have the option for better fuel efficiency.
Both the Highlander and the Pilot have a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Highlander has a maximum payload of 1,370 pounds, and the Pilot has a maximum payload of 1,607 pounds. That means you'll be able to load up the Pilot with a few more suitcases, but the difference won't be that noticeable.
Which is Right for You?
The base model 2019 Toyota Highlander starts at $31,330, while the base model 2019 Honda Pilot starts at $31,450. The difference in price isn't much for most people to make their decision on that alone. However, when you look at what each vehicle has to offer, it's clear that you are getting a lot more bang for your buck when you choose the 2019 Toyota Highlander. It's a more attractive SUV with more legroom, more features, and more powertrain options.
Package and options are available to help you customize your Highlander so that you get exactly the features you want for your SUV. You can then talk to your dealership about available financing options and specials that can make the SUV even more affordable for your budget. You may be surprised at how much you can afford with the right offers.
Visit your local Toyota dealership today to take a test drive of the 2019 Highlander and find out why so many people are falling in love with this SUV. We?re confident that you?ll quickly love the way it handles, how fun it is to drive, and how beautiful it is.
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