Hondac Pilot vs Toyota Highlander Sport

[peterfreedom]

I'm shopping an SUV since almost 8 to 10 months. I first looked at specs on the web and then compiled them in an MS Excel spreadsheet. Here are the vehicle I'm comparing:

Honda Pilot SE 2008, Toyota Highlander Sport 2008, Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 Sport 2008, Hyundai VeraCruz GLS 2008, Mazda CX-9 GS 2008,Nissan Murano SL-TI 2009, Nissan Pathfinder SE V6 2008. I had other that I just left aside.

My GO-NO GO (or primary point) was that I need a vehicle with a minimum Towing capacity of 3500 lbs because I need to tow my Regal 1800 Boat that is around 3300 lbs with trailer and the tank full of gas. I have presently a Ford Escape 2001 and it cost me a new transmission last year. Can't say if it because of the boat or the transmission freezing during winter. But I'm pretty nervous about that now.

Only the Pilot, The HL, the 4Runner and the Pathfinder can tow more than 3500 lbs and I decided to forget the other because of that. I never saw a Murano or a CX-9 with a towing package. Nissan could not even offer it for the 2009 edition. That tells a lot.

The HighLander is one of the Lighter SUV on the market but can handle more than the Pilot. The HL has a great Ground clearance compared to other SUV but the 4Runner and Pathfinder are the best on that point.

Except for the Murano, the HL as the best mileage per gallon than any other even if it has more HP.

The Highlander has a full size spare tire, Leather seats with heating and 8 electrical adjustable positions. After the Murano, who has a very huge Information system that can be used as a backup camera, the HL almost the only one who offers a backup camera in the SR5, Sport and Ltd edition. That could be very helpful to put my boat in the water.

Speaking of that, the HL is the only one offering a system that detect that you are climbing in a hill and that will maintain the brakes 2 seconds to permit you to move your feet from the brake pedal to the gas pedal. This way, the HL will not back off in the water. In my Ford Escape I have to use the hand brake to do this to get the boat out of the water. Honda Pilot don't have it.

Safety:

The crash test from www.safercar.gov and form www.iihs.org are absolutly perfect. The Honda Pilot as a better Rollover resistance (15%) compared to 17% for the HL. The HL is the only one with Air bags for the driver knees. HL and Pilot are equal for safety.

Test Drive:

The HL is very comfortable, Good acceleration and Very Good braking. The Pilot and the CX-9 are more fun to drive than the HL; More Sporty.

Interior:

The HL has AM/FM/MP3/WMA with a 6 CD Changer. Almost all the other have it except the CX-9 GS. You have to go in the GT (50000$) to have it at Mazda.

The Interior of the HL is Pretty well done in the Sport Edition. The basic edition is a little cheap. The Interior of the Pilot is very well done but not much technology inside of it. It look s like old stuff to me. Seats are very good in the Pilot.

The heated seats of the HL have an analog heat control that you can adjust the temperature. All others have 1 or 2 temperature settings. Leather seats are comfortable with good support. You absolutly have to buy leather seats int he Pilot to have Heat on it.

Dashboard of the HL is OK and central console is well designed with large buttons that you can operate even with winter leather gloves. That is appreciated here in north of Quebec. Ventilation is a little noisy and it took time to get the heat out of it last week in the test drive.

The Dashboard of the Pilot is OK too but the interior as much more place to put things in it. The central console is huge. The button of the radio and heat control are small and the dsign looks old.

Price:

The HL is not the cheapest but Toyota has lowered the price by 2700$ in Canada recently making it more competitive. Honda did not and you will pay 5000$ more for a less equipped Honda Pilot. The Murano was the best price but it is not comparable to the HL. It is a 5 passengers not a 7 passengers.

Honda Pilot has less depreciation on a 3 year basis (37%) compared to the HL (43%). But HL reliability is rated 5/5 compared to the Pilot who has 4/5.
Recommendation: The HL is one of the best SUV you can have for the Price if you need a good towing capacity and good mileage per gallon. Same thing for the Pilot exept that the price is too high for what it is. Buy the HL. More for the money.

I hope t could help others to make their choice.

[colorider]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
I hope t could help others to make their choice.

I'm sure you did!

Oh yes - welcome to HP.org

[peterfreedom]

My first choice was the Honda Pilot 2008 but when I began to compare specifications with the Highlander 2008 Sport, Most of the specs are better on the Highlander. Then Toyota lowered their price her in Canada but only 2700$ but Honda did nothing. Then The Toyota dealer gave me all the accessory I requested. Honda Attitude is: You have to pay for accessories.

So I end up with a Highlander more equipped than a Honda Pilot, with better specs and for more than 5000$ less. I still did not buy the HL nor the Pilot but Honda will have to change their attitude if they want me as a client.

Anyone has some comments that could convinced me to still consider the Honda Pilot?

I'm not sure I also like the new Pilot that is coming. I'll post a message on that board too.

[2pilot]

I think you should go for the pilot because the design has been out awhile, and I dont think toyota has worked out all the bugs of the 08 highlander. Plus you should be able to get at least 2k under invoice with the pilot, and once you add all the accessories it will end up being around if not less the same price as the highlander....

[peterfreedom]

The HighLander 2008 is inspired from the 2001-2007 model so I'm not scared of any problems that could arise.

I sign in at the ToyotaNation forum too and the HighLander 2008 seems to have less problems that the Pilot. People look more satisfied with it.
Toyota Nation Web site

Of course, in my comparison, I tried to put the same equipment in both SUV. But for 5000$ less, I can have the heated leather seats, the automatic mirror with compass, the Information system with the backup camera and many other things that I can't afford in the Pilot.

Honda would have to lower the price 3000$ below the Highlander for me to consider it.

[jay]

First let me say that this is a site for Pilot enthusiasts, and it's a great resource and friendly (usually) site. But it is a site for Pilot owners, and deep-dive discussions of other vehicles are best left to the web sites for those enthusiasts.

That having been said, I have an observation, having owned a couple of Hondas including a Pilot, and a string of Toyota products in the last 10 years. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid that I've been driving for 13 weeks now is the best first year vehicle I've ever owned, and much better than my 2nd year Lexus RX 330. I'd put two vehicles in that class. This one and my '98 Accord will, if the first 13 weeks is any indication, top my list. Toyota appears to be serious about protecting their reputation and getting back to the quality they're known for.

My Pilot was a first year vehicle that had its small share of issues, including a couple of biggies, like the transmission oil jet recall and water pump recall out the gate. It was on par with my first year '01 Highlander, with its share of issues and infamous oil gelling recall.

Regardless, I'd be happy with a Honda or a Toyota. Certainly much happier than my buddy who's struggling to lemon law out of a Ford Edge with a raft of issues, including a tranny fluid leak that his dealer admits is there but can't figure out how to fix.

[humanoid]

Jay, how dare you swap vehicles without notifying the gang? And of course you know that:

[jay]

Originally posted by humanoid
Jay, how dare you swap vehicles without notifying the gang? And of course you know that:

Uh, I know the drill, and I complied, as you can see here. But for grins, here's a shot of a 19 inch wheel with Toyo rubber.

[colorider]

Originally posted by jay
First let me say that this is a site for Pilot enthusiasts, and its a great resource and friendly (usually) site. But it is a site for Pilot owners, and deep-dive discussions of other vehicles are best left to the web sites for those enthusiasts.

Well stated jay!

[peterfreedom]

For someone looking to buy a Honda Pilot, I would not just look at positive and optimistic comments from users. I would also like to have comments from user who were deceived or any comments that covers all the good and the bad side of this great but aging SUV.

I do the same for all the stuff I'm shopping for like home electronics and home appliances. I use web sites like epinions a lot and Forums like this one.

Keep on the good work on this site.

But I'm still waiting for good reason to consider the Pilot.

[Samuel2003]

But I'm still waiting for good reason to consider the Pilot. [/B]

Oh, I'm sorry, did you retain someone here to sell you a Pilot or sell you on the idea of purchasing a Pilot? I believe the vast majority of Pilot owners on this board are happy with their Pilots. Speaking for myself, I don't need to justify my rationale for purchasing a Pilot or satisfaction with the ownership of my Pilot to YOUR satisfaction. Seems like your mind is made up already - just buy the Toyota and be done with it...

[colorider]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
But I'm still waiting for good reason to consider the Pilot.

My friend,
Just like you, virtually everyone here has compared other vehicles before they bought their Pilot. Some have since changed to another vehicle that meets their wants/needs better. Simple as that. That is ALL the good reason they need. They do not need to justify it to someone else - just as you do not need to justify to them what you bought.

We are all pretty open to non-Pilot owners here at HP.org. We enjoy sharing thoughts of all vehicles. But we are not open to anyone that comes in acting like a troll.

[gryphon75]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
Speaking of that, the HL is the only one offering a system that detect that you are climbing in a hill and that will maintain the brakes 2 seconds to permit you to move your feet from the brake pedal to the gas pedal. This way, the HL will not back off in the water. In my Ford Escape I have to use the hand brake to do this to get the boat out of the water. Honda Pilot don't have it.

My 2003 Pilot has hill start assist. Left foot on brake, right foot on gas. Give some gas, let off brake.

[chico4missions]

Originally posted by gryphon75


My 2003 Pilot has hill start assist. Left foot on brake, right foot on gas. Give some gas, let off brake.

haha well said... interesting, my '08 Pilot has that too!

[bdlfe]

Originally posted by peterfreedom
But I'm still waiting for good reason to consider the Pilot.

Hi peterfreedom,

It looks like you are going for best bang for the buck. And from what you're saying for Canadian's the CAD is far better on the Highlander than the Pilot. For us USD (how low can it go?) users, the deal is with the Pilot. That was the case for me last month, when incentives were $3500 off. I got an AWD EX for the price of a Highlander base. I'd have to step up to the Sport or Jay's Hybrid with the 19s to have any appeal to me. I like the "less" technology in the Pilot, less to break down and fix. Though MP3 capability would have been nice, I'll even take just a MP3 enabled cd player.

They're both about the same based on overall reliability, as much as we like to think everything should be perfect, these things are assembled and are machines that will wear down. Good luck with your purchase. Hope to take my Pilot up to visit Canada someday.