Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander: The Ultimate Family SUV Comparison
Trying to decide between two of the most popular three-row SUVs for families?
The 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Toyota Highlander are both icons in the midsize SUV world, known for their reliability, space, and family-friendly features. But while they might seem similar on the surface, each brings its own strengths when it comes to car seat flexibility, third-row comfort, cargo space, and everyday usability.
If you’re new here-welcome! I’m Kelly, the Car Mom, and as a Child Passenger Safety Tech (CPST), mom of four, and overall car lover, my goal is to help you find the best car for your family. In this- post, I’ll break down every major category that matters to families, so you can confidently choose the SUV that fits your life best.
Both the Pilot and Highlander are fantastic choices-so you truly can’t go wrong. But there are a few key differences that could make one the better fit for your family.
Why Do Families Choose Three-Row SUVs?
Moving to a three-row SUV is a big jump for a few reasons. Yes, you gain two to three extra seats, which is great for bigger families or frequent carpooling—but you often lose trunk space compared to a two-row SUV, especially if that third row is always in use. It’s an important trade-off to think about before making the switch.
For families with three or more kids, or those who regularly carpool, a true three-row SUV like the Pilot or Highlander offers a blend of comfort, versatility, and capability that’s hard to beat.
My Honest Thoughts On These Cars…
Both the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot are solid options, but they’re built for different types of families. The Highlander is a beautiful SUV with great tech and an impressive hybrid option—but it’s definitely on the smaller side for a three-row. If you’ve got more than two kids in car seats or plan to use the third row often, it might feel tight pretty quickly.
The Honda Pilot just makes more sense for bigger families or anyone juggling car seats and cargo on a daily basis. It’s super roomy, has way easier third-row access, and just feels more functional for real life. If I had to pick between the two for everyday family use, I’d go with the Pilot.
Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander: What I’m Comparing
Pricing and value
Fuel economy
Safety and reliability
Car seat compatibility
Third-row access and comfort
Cargo space and family practicality
Technology and infotainment
Pricing and Value
Base MSRP + What’s Included At Entry Level
Honda Pilot: Starts around $40,000 for the base LX trim. Standard features include Honda Sensing safety suite, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, three-zone climate control, and seating for eight. Higher trims add leather, a panoramic roof, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Toyota Highlander: Starts slightly higher at around $41,000 for the base L trim. The Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a power driver’s seat. Higher trims add a 12.3-inch touchscreen, premium audio, and more upscale materials.
Price-wise, the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are nearly neck and neck with only about a $1,000 difference between them. With pricing this close, it really shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Instead, focus on which features or layout work best for your family’s needs.
Warranty and Roadside Assistance
Both SUVs offer a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota includes two years of complimentary maintenance, while Honda offers one year.
Both brands are known for reliability and strong resale value.
Let’s Talk Fuel Economy
Honda Pilot: Powered by a 3.5L V6 (285 hp, 262 lb-ft), the Pilot gets up to 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. All-wheel drive is available on all trims. A new hybrid version is expected, pairing a 2.0L turbo-four with electric motors for even better efficiency.
Toyota Highlander: Comes standard with a 2.4L turbo-four (265 hp, 310 lb-ft), returning up to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (FWD). The Highlander Hybrid (2.5L four-cylinder + electric motors) is available on XLE and above, delivering up to 36 mpg combined-making it the clear choice for fuel-conscious families.
Both SUVs offer enough power for highway merging and family road trips, but the Highlander Hybrid’s efficiency is a major advantage if you want to save at the pump.
Safety and Reliability
Honda Pilot: Comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are available on higher trims. Previous Pilots have scored well with IIHS and NHTSA; 2025 ratings are pending but expected to be strong.
Toyota Highlander: Features Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. The Highlander is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star NHTSA rating. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist.
Car Seat Compatibility - The Pilot Wins Here!
Honda Pilot: The second-row bench offers three full sets of LATCH anchors, making it one of the few midsize SUVs that truly supports “three-across” car seats. Even the captain’s chairs option includes LATCH anchors, adding flexibility for families who prefer that setup.
Toyota Highlander: The second-row bench has two sets of LATCH anchors. Captain’s chairs do not have LATCH anchors, so you lose some flexibility for car seat installation.
Ease Of Installing Car Seats In Both Rows
Based on the car seat setup, the Honda Pilot has the edge with more flexibility—it offers seating for eight and generally better access to the third row. The Toyota Highlander, while comfortable for two kids in car seats, has limited anchor placements and tight third-row space, making it less ideal for families with three or more kids.
The Pilot Wins For Third Row Access, Too!
One thing I really love about the Honda Pilot is how easy it is to get to the third row—especially when you’ve got car seats installed. The second-row seats slide and tilt forward even with a car seat using LATCH, which is a total game changer. That kind of functionality makes school drop-off, carpool, and outings way less stressful. It’s just one of those features that feels like it was actually designed with moms in mind!
Compared to the Honda Pilot, the Toyota Highlander just doesn’t make third-row access as easy—especially if you have car seats installed. There’s no car seat tilt feature, and the setup feels a bit clunky with limited space to climb through. Plus, with only two sets of lower anchors and one tether in the third row (in the center only), it really limits your options. It works for smaller families, but if you’ve got multiple kids in car seats, the Highlander can be a challenge.
Third-Row Space
Honda Pilot: Offers 39.3 inches of third-row headroom and 32.5 inches of legroom-more than the Highlander. The Pilot’s third row is best for kids, but adults can fit for short trips.
Toyota Highlander: Provides 36.1 inches of third-row headroom and 28 inches of legroom. The space is tighter, making it best suited for children or occasional use.
Which Has Better Trunk Space?
Honda Pilot: 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a cavernous 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Higher trims offer a removable second-row middle seat that can be stored in the trunk, adding flexibility.
Toyota Highlander: 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down. Still generous, but not quite as spacious as the Pilot.
Loading and Unloading
Both SUVs feature power liftgates, flat load floors, and wide cargo openings. The Pilot’s extra space and clever storage solutions (like underfloor storage and an available built-in vacuum) make it especially practical for families who haul lots of gear.
Technology and Infotainment
Honda Pilot: Features an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a bright 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The interface is intuitive, with physical volume and tuning knobs for easy use on the go. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on most trims.
Toyota Highlander: Offers an 8-inch touchscreen standard, with a 12.3-inch display on higher trims. The system is sleek and modern, with wireless smartphone integration and available premium JBL audio. Controls are mostly touchscreen-based, which can be less intuitive for some drivers.
Available Tech Features
Both SUVs offer wireless charging, multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi hotspots, and available digital instrument clusters. The Pilot’s system is a bit more user-friendly, while the Highlander’s larger screen and premium feel will appeal to tech-focused families.
Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander: Which Family SUV Is Right For You?
Choose The Honda Pilot If:
You need maximum passenger and cargo space, or often install three car seats in the second row.
You want the easiest third-row access for kids and car seats—even with LATCH-installed seats.
You prefer a more powerful V6 engine and extra towing capability.
You value user-friendly tech and family-focused features like a removable second-row seat or built-in vacuum.
You want a third row that’s actually usable for older kids or adults—not just for emergencies.
Choose The Toyota Highlander If:
You want the best fuel economy, especially with the Hybrid model averaging around 35 MPG.
You prefer a slightly more upscale interior and a quieter, smoother ride.
You value advanced safety features and Toyota’s strong reputation for long-term reliability.
You want a premium tech experience with a large touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration.
You only need space for two kids in car seats and don’t rely heavily on third-row seating—this one’s better suited for smaller families.
The Bottom Line
Both the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Toyota Highlander are top-tier choices for families, offering reliability, comfort, and all the flexibility you need for daily life and road trips. The Pilot stands out for its spaciousness, car seat flexibility, and clever family features, while the Highlander shines for its efficiency, safety, and premium touches.
Consider your family’s priorities-whether it’s space, efficiency, tech, or comfort-and test drive both to see which feels best for your routine. No matter which you choose, you’ll be getting one of the best three-row SUVs for families today.
Which midsize SUV would you choose? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest family car reviews and tips, check out my recent posts:
