Regarding midsize SUVs, the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot are two of the most popular choices from the 2016 model year. These vehicles have earned reputations for reliability, comfort, and versatility, making them favourites among families, adventurers, and everyday commuters. However, despite their shared strengths, the Toyota Highlander 2016 vs Honda Pilot 2016 differ in ways that may make one more appealing than the other, depending on individual needs and preferences.
In this expanded comparison, we’ll delve even deeper into the design, performance, interior features, technology, safety, fuel efficiency, pricing, and overall value of these two vehicles, helping potential buyers make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Toyota Highlander 2016 vs Honda Pilot 2016: Exterior Design and Styling
The exterior design of a vehicle plays a significant role in first impressions. The Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot offer distinct visual identities catering to different tastes.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander’s exterior design is defined by its strong, muscular lines and broad stance. Its wide front grille, flanked by sharp, angular headlights, gives it a commanding presence on the road. The front fascia is designed to exude confidence, with a prominent Toyota emblem at the centre of the grille. The vehicle’s overall boxy shape and relatively high ground clearance contribute to its rugged SUV appearance, making it seem ready for any adventure, whether it’s a family road trip or a journey through rough terrain.
From the side, the Highlander maintains a straightforward and functional silhouette. The roofline is slightly sloped towards the rear, adding a hint of dynamism to the otherwise practical design. Roof rails are standard on most trims, enhancing the vehicle’s practicality by allowing owners to mount roof racks for extra storage easily. The rear of the Highlander is similarly robust, with a rear spoiler and angular taillights that mirror the design of the headlights. Overall, the Highlander’s design is ideal for those who appreciate a traditional, no-nonsense SUV look.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, takes a more contemporary approach to its design. The Pilot’s exterior is characterised by smooth, flowing lines and a more rounded profile, giving it a sleek, modern appearance reminiscent of a more significant crossover than a traditional SUV. The front end is dominated by a three-bar grille seamlessly integrated with the sharp, elongated LED headlights. This cohesive design creates a more refined and upscale look, making the Pilot stand out in the midsize SUV segment.
From the side, the Pilot’s sloping roofline and gently curved bodywork contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency, enhancing its visual appeal and fuel economy. The design is more cohesive and less rugged than the Highlander’s, appealing to those who prefer a vehicle that combines the practicality of an SUV with the elegance of a luxury crossover. The rear of the Pilot is equally well-designed, with sleek taillights and a sculpted tailgate that adds to its modern aesthetic.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Engine Performance and Handling
Performance is a critical factor when choosing an SUV, especially for those who plan to use their vehicle for towing, off-roading, or long-distance travel. The 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot offer different driving experiences, catering to varying needs.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has two engine options, providing flexibility depending on the driver’s performance needs and budget. The base model has a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While this engine offers decent fuel efficiency, it may feel underpowered, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and cargo. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and is only available with front-wheel drive. It’s a good option for those who prioritise fuel economy over performance and don’t require the additional power of a V6 engine.
For drivers who need more power, the Highlander offers a 3.5-litre V6 engine that delivers a more robust 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. This engine is also paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and it’s available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provides significantly better acceleration and overall performance, making it a more suitable choice for towing and driving in challenging conditions. The all-wheel-drive system enhances the Highlander’s capability in inclement weather and on rougher roads, providing better traction and stability.
On the road, the Highlander is known for its smooth and comfortable ride, with a suspension system that effectively absorbs road imperfections. However, its handling is more geared towards comfort than sportiness. The steering is light and easy, making it ideal for city driving and long highway journeys, but it may not satisfy those looking for a more engaging driving experience.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot offers a single but competent engine option across all trims. Under the bonnet is a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, making it slightly more potent than the Highlander’s V6. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission in lower trims, while the higher trims come with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The nine-speed transmission improves fuel efficiency and enhances the driving experience by providing smoother and quicker shifts.
The Pilot’s V6 engine delivers robust performance with ample acceleration, passing, and towing power. The extra horsepower and torque compared to the Highlander’s V6 give the Pilot a slight edge in outright performance. Thanks to its unibody construction, the Pilot also benefits from a more car-like driving experience, contributing to better handling and agility. The suspension is well-tuned to balance comfort and responsiveness, making the Pilot feel more connected to the road than the Highlander.
The Pilot’s steering is precise and offers good feedback, making it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces and more enjoyable to drive on winding roads. The advanced all-wheel-drive system distributes power between the front and rear wheels and even between the left and right wheels, enhancing traction and stability in various driving conditions.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Interior Comfort and Features
The interior of a vehicle is where comfort, convenience, and technology come together, and both the 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot excel in these areas. However, they cater to slightly different tastes and needs.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The interior of the 2016 Toyota Highlander is designed with practicality and comfort in mind. The Highlander offers seating for up to eight passengers in most trims, with a standard second-row bench seat. For those who prioritise comfort over seating capacity, higher trims offer the option of second-row captain’s chairs, reducing the seating capacity to seven but providing more space and easier access to the third row. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, making long journeys more comfortable for drivers and passengers.
The Highlander’s interior is characterised by its high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. The dashboard features a clean and straightforward design, easy-to-use controls and a large central touchscreen for the infotainment system. The layout is intuitive, with all buttons and knobs within easy reach of the driver. The standard 6.1-inch touchscreen is user-friendly, offering Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims add more advanced features, including an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a premium JBL audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
Regarding cargo space, the Highlander offers a generous amount of room for luggage and gear. With all seats in place, there are 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which expands to 42.3 cubic feet with the third row folded down. Folding the second and third rows flat reveals a maximum cargo capacity of 83.7 cubic feet. The Highlander’s cabin also features numerous storage compartments, including a large centre console bin and a unique shelf built into the dashboard, providing convenient places to store smaller items.
Honda Pilot 2016
The interior of the 2016 Honda Pilot is more spacious and versatile, offering seating for up to eight passengers in most trims. The Pilot’s second-row bench seat is standard, but like the Highlander, higher trims offer the option of captain’s chairs, which reduce the seating capacity to seven. The third-row seats in the Pilot are particularly noteworthy for being more accommodating than those in many competitors, including the Highlander, making the Pilot a better option for those who regularly carry adults or taller children in the third row.
The Pilot’s interior design is more modern and upscale than the Highlander. High-quality materials are used throughout the cabin, and the overall aesthetic is refined and sophisticated. The dashboard features a contemporary design, with a prominent 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The standard features in the Pilot include a rearview camera, a 5-inch display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and a seven-speaker audio system. As you move up the trim levels, the Pilot adds more luxury and technology, including leather upholstery, a rear-seat entertainment system, a 10-speaker premium audio system, navigation, and a panoramic sunroof.
Regarding cargo space, the Pilot offers slightly more room than the Highlander. With all seats in place, 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space is behind the third row. This expands to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Pilot’s cabin includes various storage options, such as a large centre console, door pockets, and a hidden storage well beneath the cargo floor.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Technology and Infotainment
In the modern automotive world, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the driving experience, and both the 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot offer a range of tech features designed to keep drivers connected and passengers entertained.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander comes equipped with various technology features that cater to drivers and passengers. The standard infotainment system includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, a USB port, and a six-speaker audio system. The system is straightforward, with large icons and responsive controls that make navigating through menus and adjusting settings easy.
Higher trims of the Highlander offer an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which includes additional features such as satellite radio, HD radio, navigation, and the Entune App Suite, which provides access to apps like Pandora, iHeartRadio, and OpenTable. The Limited and Limited Platinum trims also include a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, which delivers excellent sound quality, making it ideal for audiophiles.
One of the standout features in the Highlander is the Driver Easy Speak system, which amplifies the driver’s voice through the rear speakers. This feature makes communicating with passengers in the third row easier without raising one’s voice, which is particularly useful for families with young children.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot also boasts an impressive array of technology features designed to enhance convenience, entertainment, and connectivity. The standard infotainment system includes a 5-inch display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. While the standard system is functional, it may feel a bit basic compared to the more advanced systems available in higher trims.
Higher trims of the Pilot come with a larger 8-inch touchscreen, which includes features like satellite radio, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink, which allows drivers to connect their smartphone to the vehicle and access various apps and services. The Touring and Elite trims also include a premium 10-speaker audio system, providing rich and immersive sound quality.
The Pilot offers families an optional rear-seat entertainment system, including a Blu-ray player and a 9-inch screen that drops from the ceiling. This system is perfect for keeping children entertained on long trips, and it includes wireless headphones to prevent the audio from disturbing other passengers.
The Pilot also features a multi-angle rearview camera, which provides regular, top-down, and wide-angle views, making it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The Pilot’s available Honda Sensing suite also includes advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Safety Features
Safety is a top priority for families and individuals alike, and both the 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot have been designed with a range of safety features to provide peace of mind on the road.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has a comprehensive set of safety features, many of which come standard across all trims. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and a full complement of airbags, including front-seat side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and a driver knee airbag.
Higher trims of the Highlander add more advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a lane-departure warning system. The Highlander Limited Platinum trim also includes a 360-degree camera system, which provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings, making parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces easier.
The Highlander has received high safety ratings from various organisations, including a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks to its crash-test solid performance and available front crash prevention system.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot is similarly well-equipped in terms of safety, with a range of standard and optional features designed to protect occupants and prevent accidents. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and a suite of airbags, including front-seat side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and a driver knee airbag.
One of the standout features of the Pilot is the availability of the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies, which is standard on the Touring and Elite trims and optional on lower trims. Honda Sensing includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and a collision mitigation braking system. These features work together to help prevent accidents and reduce the severity of collisions.
The Honda Pilot has also received excellent safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The Pilot’s advanced safety features and crash-test solid performance make it one of the safest vehicles in its class.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is essential for many buyers, especially those planning to use their SUVs for daily commuting or long road trips. The 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot offer respectable fuel economy for their class, but some differences are worth noting.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander’s fuel efficiency varies depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration. The base model with the 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. While these figures are decent, they are not particularly impressive for a midsize SUV, especially considering the engine’s lower power output.
The V6 engine, likely the more popular choice, offers slightly better performance without significantly dropping fuel efficiency. The V6 with front-wheel drive is rated 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Opting for the all-wheel-drive version reduces these figures slightly to 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Overall, the Highlander’s fuel efficiency is competitive within its class but doesn’t stand out as particularly fuel-efficient compared to some rivals.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot offers slightly better fuel efficiency than the Highlander, thanks to its more advanced powertrain and aerodynamic design. The Pilot’s V6 engine, paired with the six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, is rated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, these figures drop slightly to 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The Pilot’s higher trims offer even better fuel efficiency with the nine-speed automatic transmission. The nine-speed transmission with front-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive version is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The Pilot’s superior fuel efficiency, particularly with the nine-speed transmission, makes it a more economical choice for those prioritising fuel savings over raw power.
2016 Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Pricing and Value
Both the 2016 Toyota Highlander and 2016 Honda Pilot are competitively priced and offer good value for money. However, the cost can vary depending on the trim level and options selected.
Toyota Highlander 2016
The 2016 Toyota Highlander starts at around £25,000 for the base LE trim with the four-cylinder engine. The price increases to around £30,000 for the LE trim with the V6 engine, likely to be the more popular choice among buyers. The mid-level XLE trim, which adds more features and the V6 engine as standard, starts at around £34,000. The range-topping Limited and Limited Platinum trims, fully loaded with features, can cost upwards of £40,000.
The Highlander offers good value for money, particularly regarding its reliability and resale value. Toyota’s reputation for building long-lasting vehicles means that the Highlander will likely hold its value well over time, making it a wise investment for buyers who plan to keep their vehicle for many years.
Honda Pilot 2016
The 2016 Honda Pilot has a slightly higher starting price than the Highlander, with the base LX trim starting at around £27,000. The mid-level EX and EX-L trims add more features and amenities, priced between £31,000 and £35,000. The higher trims, such as the Touring and Elite, come with the nine-speed automatic transmission and a host of luxury features, ranging from £39,000 to £44,000.
The Pilot’s higher trims offer a more premium experience, additional features and a more upscale interior. However, even the lower trims provide good value, especially with the inclusion of the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. Like the Highlander, the Pilot is known for its reliability and substantial resale value, making it a solid investment.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between the 2016 Toyota Highlander and the 2016 Honda Pilot comes down to individual preferences, needs, and priorities. Both vehicles are excellent choices in the midsize SUV segment, offering a blend of comfort, reliability, and practicality that makes them ideal for families and individuals alike.
The 2016 Toyota Highlander stands out for its comfortable ride, high-quality interior, and user-friendly technology features. Its reputation for reliability and substantial resale value makes it a smart choice for buyers who value long-term dependability. However, the Highlander’s third-row seating is slightly less spacious, and its fuel efficiency is less impressive than some of its rivals.
On the other hand, the 2016 Honda Pilot offers more interior space, particularly in the third row, making it a better choice for larger families or those who frequently carry passengers. The Pilot’s more advanced powertrain, better fuel efficiency, and availability of the Honda Sensing suite of safety features make it a strong contender. However, the Pilot’s higher trims can be more expensive, and the infotainment system may not be as user-friendly as the Highlander’s.
Ultimately, both the Highlander and the Pilot have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritise comfort, technology, safety, or fuel-efficiency, both vehicles offer a well-rounded package that will meet modern drivers’ demands.