Regarding midsize SUVs, the 2017 Honda Pilot vs 2017 Toyota Highlander stand out as two of the most popular choices. Both vehicles offer a blend of practicality, reliability, and comfort, but each has unique strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will delve into various aspects of these two models, from performance and fuel efficiency to interior features and safety, helping you decide which SUV might be the better fit for you.
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Overview Between 2017 Honda Pilot vs 2017 Toyota Highlander
2017 Honda Pilot
The 2017 Honda Pilot is a versatile three-row SUV designed for families and those seeking ample space and functionality. With its smooth ride, generous cargo space, and advanced safety features, the Pilot is a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment. It is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, which provides a balance of power and fuel efficiency. The Pilot’s interior is noted for its spaciousness and user-friendly technology, making it a favourite among those who prioritise practicality.
2017 Toyota Highlander
The 2017 Toyota Highlander is another formidable player in the midsize SUV market, offering a blend of comfort, advanced technology, and a refined driving experience. It features a 3.5-litre V6 engine similar to the Pilot but with a different approach to performance and handling. The Highlander is praised for its upscale interior, smooth ride quality, and robust safety features. With a reputation for reliability and resale value, the Highlander appeals to those looking for a dependable family vehicle.
Performance and Handling
Engine and Transmission
The Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander are equipped with 3.5-litre V6 engines, producing similar power outputs. The Pilot’s engine delivers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Highlander’s engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Although the Highlander has a slight edge in horsepower, the difference in performance is relatively marginal in everyday driving scenarios.
The Pilot’s engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Highlander features an 8-speed automatic transmission. The additional gears in the Highlander’s transmission can contribute to smoother acceleration and potentially better fuel efficiency, particularly at highway speeds.
Both SUVs offer a comfortable ride in handling, but they approach it differently. The Pilot is known for its smooth and composed ride, especially on rough roads, thanks to its well-tuned suspension system. The Highlander also delivers a comfortable ride but adds a touch of sportiness to its handling, which can make it feel slightly more engaging behind the wheel.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for many buyers, and both the Pilot and Highlander offer competitive figures in this regard. The 2017 Honda Pilot achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. With its slightly more powerful engine, the Toyota Highlander manages an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the road.
Regarding all-wheel drive (AWD) models, the Pilot’s fuel economy drops slightly to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the Highlander AWD maintains a similar 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Overall, both SUVs offer commendable fuel efficiency for their class, making them cost-effective choices for long journeys and daily commutes.
Interior and Comfort
Space and Seating
The 2017 Honda Pilot is known for its spacious interior, providing ample room for passengers and cargo. The Pilot offers seating for up to eight passengers, with a versatile second-row bench seat that can accommodate three passengers. For those who prefer more comfort, an optional second-row captain’s chair configuration reduces the seating capacity to seven but provides additional comfort and accessibility.
The Toyota Highlander also offers a spacious interior but with a slightly different approach. It provides seating for up to eight passengers with a standard second-row bench seat. However, the available second-row captain’s chairs reduce seating capacity to seven, similar to the Pilot. Both SUVs offer a good amount of space for passengers in the first and second rows, but the Pilot has a slight edge in third-row space, making it more suitable for accommodating adults in the back.
Cargo space is another area where the Pilot excels. With all seats in place, the Pilot provides 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which can be expanded to 83.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. The Highlander offers 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 83.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While both SUVs offer ample cargo space, the Pilot’s configuration allows more access to the third row when the second row is folded.
Interior Features
Both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are equipped with features designed to enhance comfort and convenience. The base trims of both SUVs include cloth upholstery, manual air conditioning, and a basic infotainment system. Both vehicles offer more advanced features as you move up through the trim levels.
Higher trims of the Pilot include leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a premium audio system. The Pilot also features Honda’s innovative CabinWatch system, which allows the driver to monitor rear-seat passengers via a camera mounted in the ceiling. This feature is handy for families with young children.
The Highlander also offers a range of upscale features, including leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a premium audio system in higher trims. Its infotainment system has an intuitive touchscreen interface and features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highlander also has an available rear-seat entertainment system, which can be a valuable addition for families on long journeys.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2017 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander offer a range of technology features to keep occupants connected and entertained. The base trims of both SUVs come with a standard infotainment system that includes a touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port.
The Pilot’s base model features a 5-inch touchscreen, which can be upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims. The Pilot also offers a range of available features, such as a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Honda’s CabinTalk system, allowing the driver to communicate with passengers through the audio system.
The Highlander’s base model comes with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, which can be upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims. The Highlander also offers a range of available features, including a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Toyota’s Entune app suite, which provides access to various apps and services.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety is a crucial consideration when choosing an SUV, and the 2017 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are equipped with a range of advanced safety features. Both vehicles have earned high safety ratings from reputable organisations, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The 2017 Honda Pilot has various safety features, including stability control, anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags, and a rearview camera. Higher trims add Honda Sensing, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
The 2017 Toyota Highlander also has various safety features, including stability control, anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags, and a rearview camera. Higher trims add Toyota Safety Sense, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Both SUVs offer a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features designed to enhance safety and provide peace of mind. The Pilot’s Honda Sensing system is highly regarded for its advanced functionality and ease of use, while the Highlander’s Toyota Safety Sense system is praised for its reliability and effectiveness.
Reliability and Ownership Costs
When it comes to reliability, both the 2017 Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander have strong reputations. Honda and Toyota are known for their reliability and long-lasting vehicles, and both SUVs continue this tradition.
The Honda Pilot has a reputation for reliability, with many owners reporting trouble-free ownership experiences. Honda’s strong warranty coverage adds to the appeal, providing a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Toyota Highlander also has a strong reputation for reliability, with many owners praising its durability and long-term performance. Toyota’s warranty coverage is similar to Honda’s, offering a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Both SUVs are competitive in terms of ownership costs, with similar maintenance and repair costs. The Pilot and Highlander offer good resale value, which can offset some of the costs of ownership over time.
Conclusion
Choosing between the 2017 Honda Pilot and the 2017 Toyota Highlander depends on personal preferences and priorities. Both SUVs offer a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and safety, making them strong contenders in the midsize SUV market.
The Honda Pilot excels in interior space and practicality, making it an excellent choice for families with more significant needs. Its spacious third row and versatile cargo area are notable advantages, including its user-friendly technology and advanced safety features.
On the other hand, the Toyota Highlander offers a refined driving experience, a slightly more powerful engine, and a range of upscale features. Its smooth ride and engaging handling make it a strong choice for those who value driving dynamics and a premium feel.
Ultimately, the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are excellent choices, and your decision will likely hinge on factors such as space requirements, feature preferences, and driving experience. Whichever SUV you choose, you can be confident in the quality, reliability, and comfort that both models bring to the table.