Hondac Pilot vs Toyota Highlander Sport

[peterfreedom]

That would be a great time to try your 4x4 Pilot here in Quebec. We have so much snow this winter. Big cities like Montreal and Quebec don't know where to put any more.

I still did not purchase any of the Pilot nor the Highlander. I thought that there would be great incentive in Marsh but nor Honda or Toyota are doing efforts to lower their price and it is supposed to be the best time to buy.

My Honda dealer has the same Pilot in stock since July 2007 (seems to) and they are not willing to give anything.

Same thing for Toyota, only 2 Highlander in stock since before Christmas.

I'm not in a hurry to buy. Maybe I'll wait to compare the New Pilot 2009 and even try it this summer.

[chico4missions]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
I'm not in a hurry to buy. Maybe I'll wait to compare the New Pilot 2009 and even try it this summer.

This is your best position! Dealers hate it when you're not in a hurry. Haste is their favorite weapon...

[honda4me]

Hello Everyone:

I couldn't resist adding my two cents here. Like Peterfreedom I narrowed my car search down to the Pilot and the Highlander. My decision came down to one thing and it wasn't the cost. The Highlander had the bells and whistles I like but I finally decided on the Pilot for one reason. I haven't seen any reports on this or any research and I know both rated tops in safety - this is purely my own thinking. I looked at the third row of each and, although the headrests are about the same distance from the back window, I noticed that the distance to the rear bumper is closer on the Highlander and with the car being shorter the passengers heads are right in line with some of the bigger SUVs front bumpers. The angle of the Pilot's backend combined with the height made me feel like my kids would be safer in the back row - a little higher than most of the huge SUVs front bumpers and more 'crunch' room to protect the kids if we were rear ended.

I'm obviously speaking from a mom's perspective but the bottom line on the Highlander came down to who would I put in the back - my kids or my best friends? I didn't feel comfortable with either so I went with the Pilot. I bought the EX-L with RES last month and so far, although admittedly I miss some of the bells and whistles, really love the car.

[peterfreedom]

You have a good Point that I never read anywhere. From a mom's perspective it could be safer to buy the Pilot. For myself, the Third row would alway be folded. I use my Ford Escape almost as a Pickup Truck anf I have to fold and unfold all the time. With a Pilot or Highlander I won't have to.

Glad you are happy with your Honda. On my side, I'm still waiting for my price to come out from Honda or Toyota. Here in Canada, a Pilot is at least 10000$ more than in the USA.

Enjoy and drive safely.

[colorider]

Originally posted by honda4me
Hello Everyone:

I finally decided on the Pilot for one reason.

Welcome to HP.org!!!!! I can certainly understand your reasoning and I feel you made the right choice.

Don't forget to post some pics of your new Pilot!!!

[raiderchop]

Currently waiting on delivery of a 2008 EXL-RES here in the ST Louis Area. Have been shopping around for several months and my decision also came down to the HL and Pilot. Both had value for the money but the Honda dealers will wiling to do just that..."deal". Not so much on the Toyota lots. Compared line-by-line on the options I wanted and the HL ended up being about $5K more. Sure, I am missing out on some very small stuff (can heat my seat on many settings vice two, gas mileage might be a bit better, and I might be able to more but I don't tow more than my other car which is less than the Pilot's capacity anyways) but the overall value came down to Honda. Both are good vehicles I think it just comes down to what you can bargain with at the time of the sale.

Cheers,

RC

[Tahoe Dave]

First time on this site.

Taking delivery next week of a 2008 EX. Spent several years looking at replacement vehicles for our aging Isuzu Trooper, which was a good and reliable car.

We chose the Honda because we wanted a modern, good sized and reliable utility vehicle with AWD. We view it as transportation and don't care for or need all the "bells and whistles", just a solid car to get us, our dogs, kayaks and bicycles, where we want to go. Highlander was too small.

We have a lot of snow in the winter, especially in the neighborhood. The only issue my wife has with the Honda is she thinks it is boring with no good choice of colors, like pale yellow.

Every Pilot owner I've talked to in the last 2 years has without exception loved the vehicle. Not the the same as BMW owners. LOL.

For towing we have a Cummins diesel. For sport we have a Miata. The Pilot will be our every day car. I am only hoping it will be as reliable as reported since we keep a car for 10 to 12 years.

[colorider]

Welcome aboard Tahoe Dave and raiderchop. I'm sure each of you will enjoy your new Pilots!!

[peterfreedom]

Hi all. Last Friday I finally put a cash to reserve a Toyota Highlander Sport 2008. My decision was mostly for the cost. In my part of Canada, the Honda Pilot EX well equipped was 48737$. Toyota recently lowered the price of the Highlander of 2750$, then I could get 2200$ of accessory for free and finally, they offered me a 2500$ rebate if I could wait till summer to have my Highlander. So I could have a HL Sport 2008 fully equipped with Leather seats (more than a Pilot) for 41250$. I could not ask for a better deal in our part of Canada. Honda Dealer did not even answered my email asking if he could do anything for me like a better deal. Shame on him.

I wish all of you a great day and Thank you all for your comments. It was very helpful.

[colorider]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
I wish all of you a great day and Thank you all for your comments. It was very helpful.

And good luck to you as well. Check back in every now and then and let us know how the Highlander is working out for you.

[Matty]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
I finally put a cash to reserve a Toyota Highlander Sport 2008. My decision was mostly for the cost. In my part of Canada, the Honda Pilot EX well equipped was 48737$. Toyota recently lowered the price of the Highlander of 2750$, then I could get 2200$ of accessory for free and finally, they offered me a 2500$ rebate if I could wait till summer to have my Highlander. So I could have a HL Sport 2008 fully equipped with Leather seats (more than a Pilot) for 41250$.

Peter, was the C$41250 you paid actually your ITD cost (ITD="in the driveway", as in the total amount of money on the cheque paid to the dealer?). If so I think that means a before-tax price of about C$36200, which is absolutely INCREDIBLE for Canada. In fact the price I got at a Pennsylvania dealer on your car was US$34500 (new 2008 HL Sport Leather 4x4, no NAV) which meant about C$41800 ITD. I'm in Toronto.

[switch]

That probably would have been the cost before taxes.

When I bought my Pilot (2007), my other choice was a 2007 Highlander, but that vehicle was too small. If I had waited a bit, I would have seen the 2008 Highlander, and I probably would have purchased that vehicle instead of the Pilot because of the increase in size, new features, etc.

Now that the 2009 Pilot is out, my choice would be the Pilot. Where it lacked compared to the Highlander, it has now met or exceeded.

Regardless, I've always been of the opinion that you can't go wrong with a Honda OR a Toyota. I wouldn't make that claim with any other automobile producer.

[rockman19762001]

I enjoy and like the trouble-free miles I have had with my Pilot. But, when ever I purchase a car or truck it is: 1) with it do what I need it to do. 2) price 3) how much will it cost me to drive the damn thing (fuel mileage). If the Toyota mets your needs and is $5,000 dollars cheaper go for it. Honda nor I will send you a check at the end of the month to make up the monthly payment difference. An $5,000 dollars is $5,000 dollars so enjoy your Toyota.