Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) may be a popular option for potential car owners, but the midsize SUV is even a bigger hit. Midsize SUVs come with many irresistible features like extra cargo space, as well as additional leg and headroom for passengers. Riding these beauties promises you and the backseat passengers maximum comfort.
Besides having a spacious interior, these vehicles also boast a modest size and offer greater engine power, like the output of the Toyota Highlander’s powerful V6 engine. Other models come with a turbo four-cylinder engine and high towing endurance.
Buying the right midsize SUV isn't an easy choice, especially with several companies being knee-deep in the industry. If you have a small family and need a travel companion that isn't a full-blown van or recreational vehicle (RV), then a midsize SUV is just the ideal vehicle for you. Also, you'll find them to be useful for city drives, mostly because they maintain a car’s image.
Honda and Toyota are two of the major players in the midsize SUV production. Hence, we'll compare the 2022 editions of the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot. Also, we'll use parameters like engine, interior design, available trims, base-level price, and so more in our analysis.
A Glance At The Toyota Highlander
Developed by the Japanese automaker, Toyota, the Highlander is an awesome midsize 3-door SUV. It’s capable of seating five passengers, and it is available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive(4WD) options.
The Highlander shares similar design, engineering, and production concepts with the Toyota Camry. Toyota introduced the Highlander to the world at the New York International Auto Show in April 2000.
Despite its January 2001 release in North America, it quickly swept up midsize SUV sales. The XU20 was the first generation of the Highlander, and it featured five and seven-seat options. The latest generation, XU70, comprises two transmission options that are either an 8-speed direct shift automatic or an electric variable transmission (EVT) system.
A Glance At The Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot became available for purchase in 2002 as a 2003-year model vehicle. It's a midsize crossover SUV that once appeared in a 4WD layout, though it now possesses the FWD layout, a feature that it has maintained since 2006. Designed mainly for North America, units of this 3-door vehicle are built at Honda’s plant in Lincoln, Alabama.
For curious minds, the Pilot is based on the same design platform as its cousin vehicle, the Acura MDX. It has a distinct unibody style and independent suspension, and these are features that helps the SUV deliver a car-like handling. You'll find the Pilot primarily in North America and the Middle Eastern markets.
A Meeting Of The 2022 Toyota Highlander And 2022 Honda Pilot
Let's be honest, both models are excellent choices for intending buyers who are prospecting for something slightly smaller than the full-size SUV. However, we've got to place both vehicles side by side and learn more about their features. Using that, we'll reach a verdict on which one will favor you the most in areas like pricing, performance, and reliability.
Toyota Highlander Vs Honda Pilot: Engine And Performance
For the 2022 Pilot, the engine packs a dominant sound thanks to a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the Highlander’s horsepower, as it produces a maximum output of 280 hp. However, when conveying passengers, its handling is quite steady and this improves the ride experience.
Like we mentioned above, the 2022 Highlander combines a (hybrid or non-hybrid) 8-speed automatic transmission with a generous 295 hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine. It's also available in an FWD or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout. The Highlander’s handling feature is durable, though drab.
Toyota Highlander Vs Honda Pilot: Interior Design
For seating configuration, the base and middle trims of the 2022 Highlander like L and LE can accommodate eight passengers with the inclusion of bench seats in the second and third rows. In upper trims like the Limited and Platinum, seven seats are available, with captain chairs positioned in the second row. Unlike the third-generation Highlander, the 2022 edition’s interior wears a sharp facelift.
Think of practical usage and an ample interior when you encounter the 2022 Pilot. For instance, you can install an in-cabin public address (PA) system, a family-centric feature. For seating arrangement, expensive trims like the Touring and Elite can hold seven passengers, just like the Highlander.
What we love most about the Pilot’s interior is the elevated seating position, a feature that enhances the driver’s vision of the road.
Battle Of The Infotainment Systems
For most trims, expect an 8.0-inch infotainment system. However, if you're gunning for a relatively more expensive trim, you'll find a larger screen, say 12.3 inches. You also get items like an 11-speaker JBL audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Other details of the infotainment system include Android Auto, Apple Carplay, and Amazon Alexa. The 2022 Honda Pilot doesn't offer a bigger display as its lower trim, LX, has a 5.0-inch display. Other trims come with 8.0 inches, a size that fails to trump the Highlander. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard on higher trims.
Pricing: The 2022 Toyota Highlander Vs The 2022 Honda Pilot
The 2022 Highlander’s base trim, L, sells for $36,620, while the 2022 Pilot’s base trim, Sport, is available from $38,805 upward. For us, the 2022 Highlander’s wonderful features make it a better buy, especially for families. The 2022 Pilot is an ambitious midsize SUV, but it merits some upgrades.