The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are the two default answers to “which family three-row should I buy?” — and for 2026 they take very different approaches. The Pilot bets on space and a naturally-aspirated V6; the Highlander bets on turbo torque and a 36-mpg hybrid.
Quick Verdict
The Pilot is the better pure family bus — bigger third row, bigger cargo hold, clever interior storage. The Highlander wins for commuting families thanks to its hybrid, which the Pilot simply doesn’t offer.
Quick Spec Comparison
| Spec | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Price range (MSRP) | $42,250 – $55,500 | $41,270 – $53,500 |
| Powertrains | 3.5L V6 (285 hp) | 2.4L turbo (265 hp) / Hybrid (~246 hp) |
| Fuel economy (combined) | ~22 mpg | 25 mpg gas / 36 mpg hybrid |
| Seats | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 |
Price & Value
Base prices are within about $1,000 of each other, and both brands hold value exceptionally well. The Highlander’s hybrid commands roughly a $1,600 premium over its gas version — money most families recover at the pump within two years. The Pilot fights back with more standard equipment per dollar in mid trims like EX-L.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The Pilot’s 285-hp V6 is smooth, proven, and sounds better than Toyota’s 2.4 turbo, but it pays for it at the pump: around 22 mpg combined against the Highlander’s 25. The real gap is the hybrid — 36 mpg combined in a three-row SUV is something Honda has no answer for in the Pilot (its hybrid tech lives in the CR-V and Accord).
Interior, Space & Tech
Here the Pilot runs away with it. Its third row genuinely fits adults, its second-row middle seat can be removed and stowed under the floor, and cargo space behind the third row is among the best in class. The Highlander’s third row is best reserved for kids. If you routinely use all three rows, this section alone decides the comparison — though Toyota’s own Grand Highlander exists precisely to fix that problem.
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the Pilot if people and cargo space are the mission — it’s the roomier, more practical machine, and TrailSport trim adds real dirt-road ability. Buy the Highlander Hybrid if your third row is occasional and your commute is daily; 36 mpg in this class is exceptional. See our best 7-seater SUVs ranking for how they stack against the rest.
Still weighing other options? Our SUV Finder compares all 102 SUVs of 2026 by budget, seats, and fuel type in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Honda Pilot come as a hybrid?
No. For 2026 the Pilot is V6-only. If you want a hybrid three-row at this price, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are the main options.
Which has the better third row, Pilot or Highlander?
The Pilot, clearly. Adults can sit in the Pilot’s third row for medium trips, while the Highlander’s is tight for anyone over about 5’6″. The Grand Highlander is Toyota’s answer if you need an adult-sized third row.
Are the Pilot and Highlander equally reliable?
Both are among the most reliable three-row SUVs. Toyota has a slight edge in long-term dependability studies, and the hybrid system has an excellent track record, but Honda’s V6 is one of the most proven engines on sale.
Written by Jake Ryder
Jake Ryder is the founder and lead reviewer at Road SUV. He has spent more than a decade behind the wheel of everything from subcompact crossovers to full-size 4x4s, logging thousands of highway and off-road miles across the United States. His reviews focus on what actually matters to real drivers: cargo space you can use, safety features that work, and honest talk about fuel economy and pricing.
