2019 Honda Pilot vs. 2019 Toyota Highlander

Cabin Interior

Now, let’s look inside the cabin. It says something that the most talked about addition to the 2019 Pilot is a volume knob — because the cabin is otherwise dialed. While it doesn’t have the flash of some competitors, the interior feels cavernous, and even third-row passengers won’t feel cramped, as there’s nearly 32 inches of legroom.

In comparison, the Highlander’s way back passengers get less than 28 inches, and there are only three sets of LATCH car seat connectors, while the Honda features four. Without the seats folded there’s 13.8 feet of cargo space behind the back row, and with 16 cubic feet, the Honda beats it here too. Though with everything folded down, both have about 84 cubic feet of space.

While both vehicles are family friendly people movers, the larger third row, extract LATCH point, and slightly better cargo space make the Honda the winner here.

In this segment, infotainment tech is far more important to buyers than zero-to-60 times, and both the Pilot and the Toyota offer a host of goodies in that department.

All Pilots comes with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, but the standard screen is a relatively small five inches. Upgrading to the HondaLink system means an eight-inch touchscreen, ten speakers as opposed to seven, and support for the ever-popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

At eight inches, the Highlander’s upgraded infotainment system screen is comparable to the Pilot’s, and there’s also a PA system, so you won’t have to yell when you’re threatening to turn the car. But unfortunately, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto isn’t available at any trim level.

While both systems will accomplish the same tasks, we think the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android support tips the scales in Pilot’s favor, so we’re giving the win to the Honda here.

Safety

Safety wise, the Pilot comes standard with high-tech features like forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, and lane departure warning, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional extras.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert are also extra on the Highlander, but the Toyota Safety Sense P system includes pedestrian detection, along automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Both of these vehicles earned five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so this is a close one. And while busy folks are going to want to spring for the extra safety features, we think the Toyota’s slightly more robust list of standard features gives it the edge here.

Price and Value

Now, it’s time to talk price.

Front-wheel drive versions of the the Honda Pilot start at $31,450, and include the six-speed auto, but for $34,330, buyers can jump up to the EX trim, which includes creature comforts like heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All-wheel-drive is a $1,900 option across the board, and the top-spec Elite trim, which included all-wheel drive and second-row captain’s chairs, come in at $48,020.

The base version of the Highlander comes with the less efficient four cylinder, and opting for the LE Plus trim, which includes the V-6, as well as features like the eight-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate, will run you $36,260. All-wheel drive isn’t available on the four-cylinder, but it’s a $1,460 option for the other trims. The top trim is the Limited, which gets a panoramic moonroof and surround view camera, and starts at $45,550.

This is a tough call, but we’re going to hand it to the Honda here. Even well-optioned V-6 models are still cheaper than the comparable Toyota, and we don’t think most folks will notice the Highlander’s slight power and efficiency advantage.