2016 Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander - Hamilton,NJ
Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander Review
Hamilton, NJ Honda Dealership Serving Trenton, Lawrence Township, West Windsor and Robbinsville
In a lot of ways, the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander are alike. They made their debut in the early 2000s (the Highlander was first, in 2001; the Pilot followed a year later), and they are both mid-size crossover SUVs. And within the next decade and a half, they rose to become two of the top vehicles in their segment. For the 2016 model year, the Honda Pilot is beginning its third generation of production, while the Toyota Highlander has already arrived at such a stage a few years ago. As a result, the Pilot feels fresher, and it does have a number of advantages over its Toyota counterpart.
2016 Honda Pilot Specs
|
Fuel Economy |
19 city/27 hwy mpg* |
|
Engine |
V6 |
|
Horsepower |
280 @ 6000 rpm |
|
Torque |
262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
|
Transmission: |
6-speed Automatic |
2016 Toyota Highlander Specs
|
Fuel Economy |
19 city/25 hwy mpg* |
|
Engine |
2.7-Liter 4-Cylinder |
|
Horsepower |
185 hp @ 5800 rpm |
|
Torque |
184 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm |
|
Transmission: |
6-speed Automatic |
Performance
First, there's the issue of power and drivetrain. The 2016 Honda Pilot only offers one engine choice: a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine that generates 280 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 262 foot-pounds (lb.-ft.) of torque at 4,700 RPM. Plus, if you get the Touring or Elite trim, the nine-speed ZF automatic transmission replaces the six-speed auto gearbox on the other three trims. The 2016 Toyota Highlander also has a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine available. However, it has 10 less horsepower and 14 less lb.-ft. of torque. Moreover, you are stuck with a six-speed automatic transmission-no matter what trim you go with. So, if acceleration is a top priority for you, then you're better off with the Pilot.
Safety
Finally, the 2016 Honda Pilot has a slight edge over the 2016 Toyota Highlander regarding safety. Both vehicles received the 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)**. This is due to a Good rating in the Moderate Overlap Front, Side, Roof Strength, and Head Restraint tests; a Good or Acceptable rating in the Small Overlap Front test; and an Advanced or Superior rating for front crash prevention. However, while the Highlander gets an Acceptable rating in the Small Overlap Front test, the Pilot gets a higher Good rating. Also, the Pilot is Superior in front crash prevention, while the Highlander gets a lower Advanced ranking.
Fuel Efficiency
Then there's fuel efficiency. The engine on the 2016 Honda Pilot has been revised to include a stop-start system. This means that when the SUV comes to a stop-like at a traffic light or frequently in traffic jams-the engine shuts down to cut down the amount of time it spends idling. The end result is a reduction of fuel consumption, as well as emissions.
Convinced that the 2016 Honda Pilot is a wiser purchase than the 2016 Toyota Highlander? Then come visit us at Hamilton Honda to test drive it. Located in and partly named after Hamilton Township in New Jersey, Hamilton Honda is one of the premier Honda dealers in the New York metropolitan area. Call us today to set up an appointment with our well-trained sales staff-and get ready to drive off in a brand-new Pilot.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary.)
*Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
**See http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings for details
***While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in question with Hamilton Honda by calling us at 877-472-5578 or by visiting us at our NJ Honda Dealership at 655 US Hwy 130 in Hamilton, NJ.
Hamilton Honda655 US HWY 130
Hamilton, NJ 08691