Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander

[Hoodone]

We're trying to decide between these two vehichles. Does anyone have any opinions on either we might find useful? They are quite similar and I'm sure we'd be happy with either, but I'm looking for the tie breaker issues. Thanks for you help...

[lhall]

Have you checked out http://www.edmunds.com?

I'd say go with the Honda, but I've only owned Hondas. :D

Leigh

[tbb113]

Have you driven both? Have you checked the insurance costs for both? Sometimes its the little things that surprise you ;)

[Lauren]

Have you sat in the back seat? Is that an issue for you? I loved the Highlander and really wanted it when we bought the Toyota Sienna two years ago. But, the Highlander was just a little out of the price range, as it was new and there wasn't much room for price negotiation.

One of my co-workers has the original Highlander. I know they have tweaked it a bit since it was first introduced. Anyway, I find the back seat uncomfortable and I'm 5"1.

I love the Pilot too, but would be interested in comparing the back seat. Just my $.02. :D

[Hoodone]

Insurance costs and the way the two vehicles drive are very similar. I think insurance costs were within $20 of each other. The back seats on both the Highlander and Pilot are okay. If a tall person is driving and has the seat all the way back, it might not be so roomy, but I will usually be driving and don't push the seat all the way back. The Pilot is a bit less expensive. Any other input out there?

[Barrie]

I'm also in the market for a new vehicle and am seriously considering the Highlander but not the Pilot, for a couple of reasons that are important to me: the Pilot is only available in a four cylinder (the Highlander comes in a V6), and you can't get the Pilot with a factory sunroof (and you can with the Highlander).

[kirkbyky]

I saw on CBC (Canadian National News) that the Honda Pilot was recalled for 2003-2004 model year. Something with the transmission ???? I'm not sure I'm remembering that right or not, but its somethingto consider.


Kyle

[Member10000]

Originally posted by Barrie
the Pilot is only available in a four cylinder (the Highlander comes in a V6),

Wrong - the Pilot only comes in a V-6 - no other options. I looked at the vehicle last fall and have the brochure in front of me. I opted for the Lexus RX330 instead.

[Beth]

Try driving them with the windows down as well as up. My mom has a Higlander and I have borrowed it a couple of times when our car was in the shop. I cannot drive it with the passenger side windows down because it gets a percussive wind noise that is not only loud but hurts my ears. I have no idea why it does that -- at first I thought she had a bad tire, but it drives me nuts.

I haven't driven a Pilot, but I have an Odessey snf have ben evry happy with it.

[HeidiD]

We're the owners of an almost 2 year old Pilot. We bought ours the month they debuted -- my husband had done a ton of research and was ready to buy as soon as we test-drove a preview model. I previously drove a Toyota Previa mini-van and didn't really want to give it up but we've found that the Pilot is almost as versatile, very comfortable, and gets about the same gas mileage even though it's a bigger engine. We live in NH and all-wheel-drive is a priority for us, as is hauling capacity.

The 3rd seat is best for kids under ten but my husband and I have both sat there with a child during road trips. Both back seats split 60/40 so you can do different configurations as needed.

The only reason I wouldn't buy it again is if I had three kids, because it's kind of a pain to have to flip the middle seat forward each time so one can sit in back (my kids would not choose to sit 3-across if there was a choice -- too much potential for touching and fighting. My Previa had a two-seat bench in the middle and three seats across the back, with a side aisle for access, so it was ideal for each kid to have their own row. Now they have gotten used to sitting in the middle row mostly, separated the flip-down tray in the middle seat position.

Our Pilot will be 2 yrs old in June and we have had no problems, just oil changes. My husband would love to buy a second one to drive himself but is thinking of Highlander instead since he's also a big Toyota fan and doesn't need all the room that the Pilot has.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by Member10000

I opted for the Lexus RX330 instead.

I got one in Feb. and I love it. :D :D Thanks to the Edmunds site, (the message boards) we were able to get a great deal (which was comparable to the loaded Highlander Limited).

My husband is 6'4" and I am 5'8", so we needed something we al lfit in comfortably. There was a lot more head room in the Pilot than any other vehicle, surprisingly, and the leg room was great too. The vehicle just lacked the style we were looking for (plus the car was for me and I liked the Lexus the best). Also, I read some negative reviews on the leather seats (DH insists on leather). We didn't need the 3rd row, and my youngest (9) found it uncomfortable and he was only going to get bigger. My husband preferred the Acura over the Pilot though so it was down the list already.

Whatever you decide on, I would recommend the Edmunds message boards. They are so informative and people who own the vehicles discuss the deals they got as well as the +/- of the vehicles. In the end, there isn't such a bad thing as a really bad vehicle or else the manufacturer would stop making it. It's really personal preference.

[tbb113]

I thought of two other silly but possibly defining things.
Which make has a more convenient dealership? If you are planning on bringing it to the dealership for service in the beginning, its important that it has convenient hours/location. Also does one service department offer more than the other? Free shuttle service, free car rental, etc.

I find these little things important in the long run if I really can't decide between two cars.