2023 Honda Pilot Vs. 2023 Toyota Highlander in Omaha, NE

2023 Honda Pilot Vs. 2023 Toyota Highlander in Omaha, NE

2023 Pilot vs. 2023 Highlander in Omaha, NE

A three-row midsize SUV is an excellent alternative to a minivan as a family hauler. Both vehicles have their respective merits and enjoy strong demand. However, a three-row midsize SUV also offers an elevated driving position and may be able to venture off the tarmac when desired. The market abounds with great choices, such as the 2023 Honda Pilot and the 2023 Toyota Highlander.

The 2023 Pilot is an all-new model that heralds the fourth generation of Honda's midsize nameplate. It's built in Alabama and offers an off-road-oriented TrailSport trim as well. The 2023 Highlander is also based on its fourth generation, which was released in 2019, and is built in Indiana.

Let's discover which one is ahead in the best three-row midsize SUV race. We'll compare the 2023 Pilot vs. Highlander in terms of safety, performance, and interior features. And if you want to check out the new Pilot, contact the sales team of O’Daniel Honda in Omaha, NE.

Interior Comparison

The 2023 Pilot zooms ahead of the 2023 Highlander in terms of interior space. With a cavernous 158 cubic foot cabin, all seven or eight passengers will be comfortable. Plus, there's still 19 cubic feet of luggage space. The 2023 Highlander can only offer 135 cubic feet of passenger space and 16 cubic feet of luggage space. Hence, if you try to pack it with adults, those in the second and third rows won't be as happy as they would be in a 2023 Pilot.

The 2023 Pilot and the 2023 Highlander come with a high specification of standard equipment, including dual-zone climate control with rear air vents and standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Moreover, all 2023 Pilot models come with a digital instrument cluster, which can’t be said for the 2023 Highlander. A 12-speaker Bose sound system is also on offer in the Honda, as are many more convenience and tech features.

2023 Honda Pilot

Steering Column Center Console Cargo Space

2023 Toyota Highlander

Steering Column Center Console Cargo Space

Performance Comparison

Honda has endowed the 2023 Pilot with a smooth 3.5-liter V6 that develops 285 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends it to the front wheels, but you can spec an all-wheel-drive system if desired. Independent testing has shown this powertrain to be more than up to the task of moving the 2023 Pilot swiftly and potently.

If you want off-road prowess, choose the Trailsport trim. This brings you a standard all-wheel-drive system, a 1-inch suspension lift, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, and a trail mode selector with specific modes tailored to the conditions that you're planning to drive in.

In contrast, the 2023 Highlander doesn’t like to get its tires dirty. There's no off-road-oriented trim level or anything from TRD like on some other Toyota vehicles. You can spec an all-wheel-drive system, but it’s primarily to aid traction in rainy and snowy conditions. The base engine is a 2.4-liter turbo four with 265 horsepower, and it's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You can also have a Highlander Hybrid that puts out 243 horsepower and is paired with a CVT gearbox.

Safety Features Comparison

The 2023 Pilot and the 2023 Highlander don't skimp on safety features. They've each got eight airbags, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, stability control, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and child safety locks as standard features.

Find the 2023 Pilot in Omaha, NE

You know you want a 2023 Honda Pilot. For starters, it's an all-new vehicle, which is always appealing. Then, you'll see that it comprehensively beats the 2023 Highlander in our interior and performance shootout and matches it every step of the way in terms of safety. Furthermore, the 2023 Pilot's Trailsport trim is more than up to the task if you want to do a spot of mild off-roading. But that's enough from us. Why don't you swing by O’Daniel Honda in Omaha, NE, and check it out for yourself?