2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Honda Pilot: Efficiency meets performance

March 14 2021,

The midsize SUV segment is packed with impressive models that deliver on a range of criteria for buyers who need a lot of space. There are two models, however, that stand out head and shoulders above their competition, and that’s the 2021 Highlander and the 2021 Honda Pilot. These are the two best-selling three-row SUVs in Canada, and there are a lot of reasons that explain their success.

Still, the Highlander has the advantage over the Pilot in a variety of ways, starting with the powertrain.

More Power and Better Efficiency in the 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander delivers impressive performance in its base model which is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that delivers an impressive 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine is one of the most powerful in the segment, and it outshines the engine in the 2021 Honda Pilot by a considerable amount of horsepower. The Pilot’s standard engine has 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, meaning that when it comes to performance, the Highlander has the Pilot beat.

Moreover, the 2021 Toyota Highlander delivers better fuel economy over the Pilot. The 2021 Highlander averages 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway, besting the 2021 Honda Pilot which averages 13.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway.

That’s a considerable difference that will show up in your bank account at the end of the year. If you drive over 25,000 kilometres per year, the 2021 Toyota Highlander will cost you hundreds of dollars less in fuel costs.

No Hybrid in the 2021 Honda Pilot Lineup

The 2021 Toyota Highlander also offers something that the 2021 Honda Pilot doesn’t, and that’s a hybrid version. The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is an impressive feat of engineering, offering 243 horsepower with an average fuel economy rating of 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The interior space of a mid-size three-row SUV with the fuel economy or a compact sedan? The Highlander Hybrid delivers just that. It’s no wonder it is so popular.

The Highlander’s popularity also means better resale value. The Highlander and the Pilot are offered at a similar starting price, but the major difference in resale value means the Highlander delivers so much more value overall.