The three-row crossover SUV segment is brimming with options for families seeking space, comfort, and versatility. Two strong contenders consistently rise to the top: the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Grand Highlander. Both offer ample room and family-friendly features, but when you pit the top-tier trims against each other – the Honda Pilot Elite and the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited – the nuances become critical. For families in the market for a premium SUV experience, understanding the detailed differences between these two models is paramount to making the right choice. Let’s dive deep into a comprehensive comparison to determine which SUV truly reigns supreme in this head-to-head matchup.
Price and Trims: Elite vs. Limited Breakdown
When considering the Honda Pilot Elite versus the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited, price is naturally a significant factor. Both of these trims represent the pinnacle of their respective model lineups, offering a wealth of premium features and elevated styling.
The Honda Pilot Elite typically starts at a price point around $54,000. This top-of-the-line trim comes fully loaded with features like standard all-wheel drive, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a premium sound system, and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
On the other side, the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited generally begins slightly higher, around $55,000 to $57,000, depending on configuration and options. The Limited trim mirrors the Elite in terms of luxury appointments, offering leather seats, a panoramic moonroof, a high-end JBL audio system, and Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of safety features.
While the starting prices are close, it’s crucial to consider what you get for your money. The Pilot Elite emphasizes a rugged, adventure-ready persona while delivering luxury. The Grand Highlander Limited leans into refined comfort and sophisticated technology. For budget-conscious buyers, it’s worth noting that lower trims of both models are available, but for this comparison, we are focusing on the top-tier Elite and Limited to truly explore the best each brand offers.
Design and Style: Inside and Out
The aesthetic appeal of an SUV plays a significant role in the buying decision. The Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander take different approaches to design, catering to varying tastes.
Exterior Design: The Honda Pilot, particularly in its latest iteration, has adopted a more traditional, rugged SUV design. It projects a bolder, more upright stance with a prominent grille, squared-off edges, and available features like roof rails and all-terrain tires on the TrailSport trim (though the Elite trim still carries a similar design language). It’s a look that appeals to those who want their SUV to look capable and adventurous.
The Toyota Grand Highlander, on the other hand, embraces a more modern and sophisticated aesthetic. It’s sleeker and more streamlined than the standard Highlander, with smoother body panels, a more restrained grille design, and an overall air of understated elegance. It aims for a more premium, less overtly rugged look.
Interior Design: Inside, both the Pilot Elite and Grand Highlander Limited offer luxurious cabins. The Pilot’s interior is functional and well-organized, with a focus on durable materials and intuitive controls. While luxurious, it maintains a sense of practicality and family-friendliness.
The Grand Highlander’s interior elevates the sense of luxury further. It boasts a more upscale design with premium materials, elegant accents, and a focus on creating a serene and comfortable environment. The Grand Highlander often features larger touchscreens and a more tech-forward cabin feel.
Ultimately, design preference is subjective. Those who prefer a rugged, traditional SUV look might gravitate towards the Pilot Elite, while those seeking a more modern, sophisticated, and luxurious aesthetic might find the Grand Highlander Limited more appealing.
Size, Seating Comfort, and Cargo Capacity: Space Matters
For families, interior space and cargo capacity are paramount. The Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander are both three-row SUVs, but they differ in their dimensions and how they utilize space.
Dimensions and Passenger Space: The Toyota Grand Highlander lives up to its name by being notably larger than both the standard Highlander and the Honda Pilot. It offers more generous dimensions in key areas, translating to more passenger and cargo room. Specifically, the Grand Highlander provides superior third-row legroom and overall passenger volume compared to the Pilot. While the Pilot is spacious, the Grand Highlander simply offers more stretch-out space, especially for third-row occupants and adults in all rows.
Seating Configurations: Both the Pilot Elite and Grand Highlander Limited typically come standard with captain’s chairs in the second row for a seven-passenger configuration. However, both models offer the option to swap to a second-row bench seat, increasing capacity to eight passengers. The Honda Pilot offers a unique feature in higher trims: a removable second-row middle seat that can be stowed in the cargo area, providing enhanced flexibility for passenger and cargo arrangements.
Cargo Capacity: The Grand Highlander again takes the lead in cargo space. It offers more cargo volume behind the third row, behind the second row, and with both rows folded down compared to the Honda Pilot. For families who frequently haul luggage, sports equipment, or groceries, the Grand Highlander’s larger cargo area will be a significant advantage. The Pilot still offers respectable cargo space, but it falls slightly short of the Grand Highlander’s more capacious hold.
Performance and Driving Experience: Power and Poise
The driving experience is a crucial aspect of SUV ownership. The Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited offer different powertrains and driving dynamics that cater to varying preferences.
Engine and Powertrain: The Honda Pilot Elite is powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower. It’s paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. This powertrain provides ample power for daily driving, highway cruising, and even some light off-road adventures, especially in TrailSport trims.
The Toyota Grand Highlander Limited offers a choice of powertrains. The standard engine is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 265 horsepower. However, the Limited trim also offers a potent Hybrid Max powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with electric motors to deliver a combined 362 horsepower. This hybrid system not only boosts power but also enhances fuel efficiency. Both powertrains are available with all-wheel drive.
Driving Dynamics: The Honda Pilot prioritizes a comfortable and composed ride. It handles well for its size, with light and responsive steering. The Pilot leans slightly towards a more traditional SUV driving feel, with a focus on stability and predictability.
The Toyota Grand Highlander aims for a more refined and car-like driving experience. It offers a smoother ride, more agile handling, and a greater sense of sophistication on the road. The Hybrid Max powertrain, in particular, delivers brisk acceleration and a more engaging driving experience compared to the Pilot’s V6.
For drivers who prioritize outright power and a more dynamic driving experience, especially with an eye towards fuel efficiency, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max stands out. However, the Pilot’s V6 offers reliable and sufficient power with a more traditional SUV feel.
Fuel Economy: Efficiency on the Road
Fuel efficiency is an increasingly important consideration for SUV buyers, especially with fluctuating gas prices. The Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander present different fuel economy figures.
Honda Pilot Elite Fuel Economy: The Honda Pilot Elite, with its V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive, achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of around 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, resulting in a combined rating of approximately 21-22 mpg.
Toyota Grand Highlander Limited Fuel Economy: The Toyota Grand Highlander Limited offers varying fuel economy depending on the powertrain. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieves similar figures to the Pilot’s V6. However, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain significantly improves fuel economy, reaching EPA estimates of around 26 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 27 mpg.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max clearly takes the lead in fuel efficiency. For buyers who prioritize saving money at the pump and reducing their environmental footprint, the hybrid powertrain in the Grand Highlander Limited is a compelling advantage. While the Pilot’s fuel economy is respectable for a V6-powered SUV, it cannot match the efficiency of the Grand Highlander Hybrid.
Safety and Technology: Protecting Your Family
Safety and technology features are crucial for modern family SUVs. Both the Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited are well-equipped in these areas.
Safety Ratings and Features: Both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander boast excellent safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, earning top scores in crash tests. They both come standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, including:
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
The Grand Highlander Limited offers an available hands-free driving system for use in traffic jams under certain conditions, a feature not currently offered on the Pilot Elite.
Technology and Infotainment: Both SUVs feature modern infotainment systems with large touchscreens, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and available premium audio systems. The Grand Highlander often boasts a larger standard touchscreen and may offer more advanced tech features like a fully digital instrument cluster and a more sophisticated voice assistant. The Pilot has upgraded its technology in recent models, but the Grand Highlander tends to push the envelope slightly further in this domain.
In terms of safety, both SUVs are top performers. For technology, the Grand Highlander often has a slight edge with potentially larger screens and more cutting-edge features, though both offer well-equipped and user-friendly systems.
Conclusion: Which 3-Row SUV is Right for You?
Choosing between the Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited depends on your priorities.
Choose the Honda Pilot Elite if:
- You prefer a more traditional, rugged SUV design.
- You value a slightly lower price point for a fully-loaded top trim.
- You appreciate the flexibility of the removable second-row middle seat.
- You prioritize a comfortable and capable V6 engine for everyday driving and light off-roading.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited if:
- You desire maximum passenger and cargo space in the three-row SUV segment.
- You prioritize a more modern, sophisticated, and luxurious interior and exterior design.
- Fuel efficiency is a top concern, and the Hybrid Max powertrain appeals to you.
- You want the latest technology features and a more refined driving experience.
Ultimately, both the Honda Pilot Elite and Toyota Grand Highlander Limited are excellent three-row SUVs that cater to families seeking premium features and ample space. The Grand Highlander emerges as the slightly more upscale and spacious option, particularly with its fuel-efficient and powerful Hybrid Max powertrain. However, the Pilot Elite offers a compelling blend of ruggedness, value, and family-friendly features that will appeal to many buyers. Test driving both models is highly recommended to determine which SUV best aligns with your individual needs and preferences.
