For U.S. 2025 models, the Honda Pilot is the V6 choice, while the Toyota Highlander offers gas and hybrid powertrains. In Toyota’s published comparison of selected base trims, the Pilot also has slightly more cargo volume; the Highlander Hybrid stands out for its manufacturer-estimated fuel economy. Neither is the automatic winner for every family: seating layout, exact trim, drivetrain, price and how your cargo fits matter.
At a glance: 2025 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander
| Category | 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Gas powertrain | 3.5-liter V6; 285 hp and 262 lb-ft; 10-speed automatic | 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder; 265 hp and 310 lb-ft |
| Hybrid powertrain | No hybrid listed in Honda’s 2025 Pilot lineup information | Separate 2.5-liter hybrid system; 243 net combined hp |
| Seats | Up to eight, depending on second-row configuration | Up to eight, depending on second-row configuration |
| Cargo behind third row | 18.6 cu. ft. in Toyota’s selected-trim comparison | 16.0 cu. ft. in Toyota’s selected-trim comparison |
| Maximum listed cargo volume | 87.0 cu. ft. in Toyota’s selected-trim comparison | 84.3 cu. ft. in Toyota’s selected-trim comparison |
| Starting price reference | $40,200 MSRP for Sport 2WD, before destination | $39,520 starting MSRP for Highlander LE FWD, excluding Dealer Processing and Handling |
Figures apply to named configurations or manufacturer descriptions, not every trim. Toyota’s comparison is interactive and selection-dependent; the cargo numbers above compare its selected Highlander LE FWD and Pilot Sport 2WD. [Toyota’s comparison page] [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement] [Honda’s 2025 Pilot pricing and EPA ratings] [Honda Pilot specifications and features]
How the Pilot and Highlander powertrains differ
Honda Pilot: one V6 gas setup
Honda lists a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft, paired with a 10-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is available on Sport, EX-L and Touring; all-wheel drive is available on those grades and standard on TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition. Honda specifies towing up to 5,000 pounds for AWD Pilot models. [Honda Pilot specifications and features]
Toyota Highlander: gas or hybrid
The gas Highlander uses a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder rated at 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Toyota lists FWD or AWD availability for LE and XLE, with AWD standard on XSE, Limited and Platinum. Toyota says the gas model can tow up to 5,000 pounds. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement]
#1 Best Overall
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The Highlander Hybrid is a distinct model choice, not a trim-level version of the gas engine: it combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two motor-generators for 243 net combined hp. Electronic on-demand AWD is standard, and Toyota lists towing up to 3,500 pounds. Toyota says the hybrid battery sits under the second-row seats. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement]
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Highlander Hybrid has the standout published economy figure: Toyota estimates up to 35 mpg combined for that powertrain. Honda’s 2025 Pilot release lists EPA combined ratings from 20 to 22 mpg, depending on trim and drivetrain. These are not like-for-like figures: one is Toyota’s manufacturer estimate for a hybrid; the other is Honda’s EPA ratings for Pilot configurations.
Rank #2
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| 2025 configuration | Published fuel-economy figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid | Up to 35 mpg combined | Toyota manufacturer estimate |
| Highlander LE FWD, gas | 25 mpg combined | Toyota comparison material; manufacturer estimate |
| Pilot Sport, EX-L or Touring, 2WD | 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg | Honda-published EPA rating |
| Pilot Sport, EX-L or Touring, AWD | 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg | Honda-published EPA rating |
| Pilot TrailSport AWD | 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg | Honda-published EPA rating |
| Pilot Elite or Black Edition AWD | 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg | Honda-published EPA rating |
For a useful ownership comparison, start with the exact trims and drivetrains you would buy, then estimate your annual mileage and fuel spending using local prices. No independent real-world economy testing is represented here. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement] [Honda’s 2025 Pilot pricing and EPA ratings]
Which is bigger, and which has more cargo space?
The comparison figures available here show cargo volume, not a complete exterior-size comparison. In Toyota’s selected-trim comparison, the Pilot Sport 2WD has 18.6 cu. ft. behind the third row versus 16.0 cu. ft. for the Highlander LE FWD. With rear seats folded, the listed maximums are 87.0 and 84.3 cu. ft., respectively. Toyota separately reports 48.4 cu. ft. behind the Highlander’s second row with the third row folded.
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Those are manufacturer-published volume figures, not a guarantee that a particular stroller, cooler or suitcase will fit. Bring your own bulky items and test them in the vehicle, especially if you regularly travel with all three rows in use. [Toyota’s comparison page] [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement]
Can the Pilot or Highlander seat eight?
Both can seat up to eight in configurations equipped with a second-row bench. Seating capacity depends on the exact trim and package: captain’s chairs replace the bench and reduce the number of second-row seats. Toyota notes that package availability can change the Highlander’s second-row arrangement.
Rank #4
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If you use child seats, inspect the exact vehicle with your family’s seats in hand. Check the LATCH positions, seat-belt access, third-row entry and the amount of luggage space left when the child seats are installed. No child-seat fit testing is claimed for these models here. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement] [Toyota’s comparison page]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the 2025 models cost?
Toyota announced a $39,520 starting MSRP for the 2025 gas Highlander LE FWD, excluding Dealer Processing and Handling. Honda’s January 3, 2025 release lists the Pilot Sport 2WD at $40,200 MSRP before destination, or $41,650 including the release’s $1,450 destination charge. These are published model-year prices, not current dealer quotes. Honda says taxes, license, registration and options are excluded and dealer prices may vary.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| 2025 Pilot trim and drivetrain | MSRP before destination | MSRP including Honda’s $1,450 destination charge |
|---|---|---|
| Sport 2WD | $40,200 | $41,650 |
| EX-L 2WD | $43,500 | $44,950 |
| Touring 2WD | $47,500 | $48,950 |
| TrailSport AWD | $49,400 | $50,850 |
| Elite AWD | $53,080 | $54,530 |
| Black Edition AWD | $54,580 | $56,030 |
Sport, EX-L and Touring also have AWD versions; the figures in this Honda table are for the named drivetrains. The $39,520 Highlander figure and Pilot prices come from manufacturer announcements, and neither establishes what a buyer will pay after options, fees, incentives or local availability. Compare a written quote for the exact configuration rather than relying on a starting MSRP. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement] [Honda’s 2025 Pilot pricing and EPA ratings]
Features, infotainment and driver assistance
Cabin and connectivity
Toyota lists three-zone climate control on the Highlander, an 8-inch multimedia display as standard and a 12.3-inch display as available. Toyota also describes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available connected services. Honda’s trim information shows a 9-inch display on higher Pilot trims and a 12-speaker Bose system on Touring and above; equipment varies by grade, so confirm the vehicle’s window sticker. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement] [Honda Pilot specifications and features]
Safety and driver-assistance equipment
Toyota identifies Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard on Highlander. Its listed systems include pre-collision with pedestrian detection, full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist and automatic high beams. Toyota also lists blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard. [Toyota’s 2025 Highlander announcement]
Honda lists Honda Sensing features including collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, blind-spot information and cross-traffic monitor. Some parking-related features vary by trim. These are manufacturer equipment descriptions, not independent crash-test results; feature counts alone do not establish which vehicle is safer. [Honda Pilot specifications and features]
Which one should your family choose?
- Consider the Pilot if you specifically want a V6, value its published cargo figures in Toyota’s selected-trim comparison, or need up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity with AWD.
- Consider the gas Highlander if its turbo-four powertrain, trim and drivetrain combination best fits your needs; Toyota lists up to 5,000 pounds of towing for the gas model.
- Consider the Highlander Hybrid if you want a hybrid powertrain and value Toyota’s estimate of up to 35 mpg combined, while accepting its 3,500-pound maximum towing figure.
Before deciding, match the drivetrain and seating layout you need, compare the equipment on the exact trims, get local written prices and test-drive both. A bench seat, third-row access, visibility and cargo fit can matter more to daily family use than a small difference in a published specification.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
