Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot: Performance, Reliability, & Interior Compared

Mid-size three-row SUVs sit in a sweet spot for growing families. They swallow car seats without the minivan stigma, tow a small boat to Jones Beach, and slide into a Long Island driveway without fuss. Two of 2026's strongest options come from a pair of brands Westbury drivers already trust.

• Toyota offers a 2.4L turbo gas four plus a 2.5L hybrid, while Honda keeps its 3.5L V6 across every Pilot trim.
• Pilot pricing opens lower with front-wheel drive available, but every Highlander ships with all-wheel drive standard.
• Pilot stretches longer with more standard cargo room, yet the Highlander Hybrid beats it by a wide margin at the pump.

Toyota pairs the 2026 Highlander's 2.4-liter turbocharged four with an eight-speed automatic, making 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Step up to the hybrid and a 2.5-liter four works alongside electric motors for 243 combined horsepower through an eCVT.

Honda keeps things simple in the Pilot with one engine. A 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, routed through a 10-speed automatic. More peak horsepower on paper, but the Highlander's turbo brings stronger low-end pull for stop-and-go traffic in the Northern State.

Both badges carry strong long-term reputations on Long Island. Toyota backs the Highlander Hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles, and ToyotaCare covers normal scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles. Honda offers a 1-year/12,000-mile Service Pass covering oil changes and rotations on all 2026 models. For families planning to keep their SUV past the loan payoff, that longer hybrid battery coverage carries weight.