Choosing between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Toyota Highlander is rightly high-stakes: two of the most popular three-row family SUVs in America, each with strong safety, reliability, and everyday usability reputations. Not to mention, people just love owning them. Whether you prioritize cabin space, fuel economy, performance, technology, or resale value, this head-to-head will help only the most discerning car buyers decide which family hauler suits their needs best.
Styling: Pilot Looks Rugged, Highlander Stays Sleek And Familiar
In styling, the 2025 Honda Pilot leans into a more rugged SUV persona, with a boxier stance, larger grille, and sharper edges that echo Honda’s off-road-ready TrailSport branding. The squared-off proportions and stronger front fascia make it feel like a traditional SUV, signaling capability while still remaining refined enough for suburban driveways.
On the flip side, the 2025 Toyota Highlander takes a softer, more conservative approach. Its curvier profile, slim headlights, and smooth body lines keep it looking sleek and approachable. It doesn’t scream “adventure,” but it does present a modern, family-friendly image that plenty of buyers prefer.
Stylistically speaking, if you want something bold, squared, and more SUV-traditional, the Pilot edges ahead. If something a bit plainer, more understated, gets you going, then the Highlander will probably be your cup of tea.
Performance: Pilot Packs Power, Highlander Prioritizes Efficiency
The Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 delivers 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a smooth 10-speed automatic, giving it confident acceleration and enough muscle for towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Honda also offers multiple drive modes and an available all-wheel-drive system tuned for light off-road use—especially appealing on the rugged TrailSport trim.
The Toyota Highlander’s standard powertrain is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. It delivers strong low-end torque for everyday driving, though it doesn’t have the same naturally aspirated smoothness as the Pilot’s V6. Toyota also shines with its Highlander Hybrid option, which pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motors for a combined 243 horsepower and up to 36 mpg—seriously strong for a three-row SUV.
The Pilot offers more traditional SUV power and better towing capacity. On the other hand, the Highlander leans into efficiency, especially in hybrid form. If gas mileage is a major priority, the Toyota clearly wins. If you want stronger acceleration, smoother V6 character, and towing ability, the Honda Pilot is the better bet.
Interior: Pilot’s Cabin Wins On Space, Highlander On Tech Options
The Honda Pilot’s interior is one of the roomiest in the class, with seating for up to eight and class-leading cargo space—22.4 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 113.7 with seats folded. A clever removable middle-seat in some trims allows families to switch between a bench and captain’s chairs, giving flexibility for hauling kids or gear. Tech highlights include a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, available wireless charging, and a Bose 12-speaker audio system in higher trims. Materials feel solid, and the layout emphasizes practicality.
The Toyota Highlander’s cabin is slightly smaller, with tighter third-row space and less cargo room (16 cubic feet behind the third row, maxing out at about 84 cubic feet) unless you step up to the Grand highlander. However, Toyota recently updated the Highlander’s tech offerings: an available 12.3-inch touchscreen, a slick digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone integration, and an optional JBL premium audio system. Toyota’s interior is strong, though it leans more toward clean simplicity rather than something more SUVish and rugged.
The Pilot’s cabin wins on outright in space and family-friendly flexibility, while the Highlander shines with bigger tech screens and a more modern feel in upper trims.
Why The 2025 Honda Pilot Might Be The Better Buy
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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285 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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19/27/22 mpg (FWD) | 18/25/21 mpg (AWD)
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
19/27/22 mpg
- Make
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Honda
- Model
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Pilot
If you’re looking for a family SUV that gives you more of the rugged SUV styling, tons of space, and V6 power, the 2025 Honda Pilot is hard to beat. Its towing ability, roomy cabin, flexible seating, and TrailSport trim make it especially appealing for families who want capability without giving up comfort. In the Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander specs battle, the Pilot simply offers more. Also, not for nothing, it looks better. It’s just a far more attractive vehicle.
That’s not to say the Highlander isn’t a strong choice—it absolutely is. The highlander is great but it’s meant to disappear in the crowd. Still, the hybrid model delivers excellent fuel economy for a three-row SUV, and Toyota’s long-standing reputation for reliability makes it an easy recommendation. It even wins in the flashy tech dept, thanks to its available 12.3-inch touchscreen and modern digital displays. Still, when considering the whole package—space, performance, towing, rugged looks, and family-first practicality—the Honda Pilot edges ahead.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.4L I4 Turbo
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
265 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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310 lb.-ft. @ 1700 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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22/29/25 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Toyota
- Model
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Highlander
If mpg, tech screens, and hybrid efficiency matter most, the Toyota Highlander is still a top contender. But for many buyers comparing Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot in 2025, the Pilot simply offers more versatility and capability for growing families.