Big Rivals! 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. 2026 Honda Pilot

It’s been a few years since Toyota went and made the Highlander grander, and in the time since, its size and feature set have accelerated it towards the top of the sales chart. But long-time rivals, like the Honda Pilot, aren’t sitting around and just accepting the Grand Highlander’s growth, since it has now has a 2026 refresh with lots of updates! So, who is the best pick for you in a 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. 2026 Honda Pilot comparison? Let’s dive in and find out!

Exterior Design

Starting with the exterior designs, you will immediately notice the continued trend towards making family crossovers look tougher and boxier. The Pilot’s 2026 refresh adds additional ruggedness, including a beefier lower fascia, larger grille, and silver accents for the Elite model we have today. The Grand Highlander also has a substantial, boxy look, with black and chrome accents for the top Platinum.

For lighting, both models have full LED headlights and fog lamps, with the only difference worth mentioning being that the Grand Highlander’s are a more premium projector style instead of a reflector on the Pilot.

Moving to the side, fascia updates on the Pilot mean it’s almost equivalent in length to the GH now, and both have 20-inch alloy wheels. Toyota also offers a regular Highlander for those wanting something smaller that these two crossovers. 

Length: 200.1-inches (Pilot) | 201.4-inches (Highlander)

Out back, the boxy designs continue, with fewer changes for the refreshed Pilot this year than the front. For features, they are very similar with spoilers, exposed wipers, and large branding between the taillights. Speaking of those, all 3 elements are LED on the Toyota, while the reverse light and turn signals are still incandescent on the Honda.

As equipped, both can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

Towing (max): Grand Highlander: 5,000 lbs | Pilot: 5,000 lbs

When it comes to the mirrors, both have heating, blind spot monitoring, and power-folding. But, only the Pilot has more premium auto-dimming abilities.

Continuing with safety, both models have their brands’ entire suite of systems as standard equipment, even including things like a Traffic Jam Assistant.

The Honda’s updates bring some changes to this rivalry on the inside, so let’s get into that.

Interior Design

Before hopping inside, let’s look at the keys, where both have smart entry systems. But, only the Pilot has long-distance remote start from the fob, subscription-free for life.

Opening up the doors, both cabins continue to boast class-leading practicality and space, but what about the seats?

Well, these two match each other, with real leather finishes, 10-ways of adjustment, heating, ventilation, and memory abilities. There are different color combos depending on the trim and exterior colors you opt for.

But, once inside, we can get into the cabin materials, which we divide into both materials choice and overall build quality. Both are pretty even when it comes to the materials used, with faux wood trim, leatherette wrapping, and various soft-touch padding throughout. But, it’s the Honda that feels more solid and well put together overall than the Toyota.

After startup, you’ll see digital gauge clusters on both, though the Grand Highlander’s is a couple inches larger. Don’t want to look down? Well, both also have head-up displays for the top trims.

Moving back, they have rain-sensing wipers and heated, manual-adjusting, leather-wrapped steering wheels.

Storage and Technology

Perhaps most important up front is the storage though, so let’s talk about both the center consoles and extra cubbies offered. Starting with our signature donut test, we can confirm the Pilot’s unchanged console size can fit 23 donuts, while the GH can fit the maximum two dozen with room to spare. Beyond the consoles, they both have many other cubbies and passenger storage shelves, but the Grand Highlander offers some additional under console storage as well.

These storage cubbies also include standard wireless phone chargers.

Moving on, only the Honda has an electronic shifter, but in reverse, both display 360-degree cameras with good resolution.

Then, we have 3-zone automatic climate controls, both with easy-to-use physical knobs and buttons. This is very simple compared to a lot of rivals that feature climate buttons inside of the display. 

Speaking of, let’s also look at the physical volume knobs to sample the branded sound systems.

Pilot: 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system

Grand Highlander: 11-speaker, JBL Premium Sound System

While speaker count is almost the same, we prefer the quality and refinement of the Pilot’s Bose system.

Now, perhaps the biggest change in the battle this year is the screens, where Honda finally responded to the complaints and upsized the screen! The Pilot now has a 12.3-inch display across the lineup, to match the Grand Highlander in size.

Software-wise, both have wireless AA and ACP, though the Pilot also includes Google Built-in now, [p] giving you Google Maps and more natively. It also has the handy CabinTalk feature to make sure the kiddos in the back can hear what you say.

Finally, both have auto-dimming rearview mirrors with HomeLink and large pano roofs. But, the Grand Highlander also throws in camera mirror functionality.

Rear Seats and Cargo

But, how does the packaging play out for these two in the rear?? Well, in the second row, it’s actually the Pilot that is still larger in measure. Both are huge for this class when it comes to space.

• Grand Highlander: Legroom: 39.5-inches | Headroom: 38.5-inches
• Pilot: Legroom: 40.8-inches | Headroom: 39.2-inches

For features, though, the Toyota has some advantages. While they share climate controls, vents, USB ports, household power outlets and sunshades, only the GH adds ventilation to the also heated back seats.

However, the Pilot has some seating tricks up its sleeve. While the Grand Highlander has a removable rear console with cupholders in it, the Pilot has a removable seat that also serves as a console. This allows for on-demand bench or captain chair seating, and 8-passenger seating on the top trim, something the Toyota cannot do.

Now let’s check out the third rows. The seats fold and slide easily, allowing you to get into the back. 

When you consult the measurements, the Pilot continues with a space advantage in headroom, with a difference enough to get a point. But, while the Toyota’s legroom isn’t quite a 5% advantage, its third row has a clear comfort and thigh support advantage, making its third row a more comfortable place to be.

Additionally, in addition to USBs and cupholders, the GH has air vents in the ceiling instead of the low mounting that is more likely to be blocked.

• Grand Highlander: Legroom: 33.5-in | Headroom: 37.2-in
• Pilot: Legroom: 32.5-in | Headroom: 39.3-in

Now for the cargo spaces, both have hands-free power tailgates, and once they open, the Grand Highlander’s packaging genius will finally come into play. It still beats the Pilot in all 3 seating configurations, making it significantly larger, and one of the class leaders. This is why the Grand Highlander is appealing to so many families.

Grand Highlander: Behind 3^rd row: 20.6 cu.ft | Behind 2^nd row: 57.9 cu.ft | MAX: 97.5 cu.ft

Pilot: Behind 3^rd row: 18.6 cu.ft | Behind 2^nd row: 48.5 cu.ft | MAX: 87.0 cu.ft

Beyond space, neither have power third rows nor handles to fold the 2^nd row from the cargo areas. But you will find a spare tire underneath the floors.

That’s it for the interiors, so now let’s take this fight to the streets!

Powertrains

When it comes to what’s under the hoods on both, these two rivals continue to be quite different for 2026. While the Toyota has 3 unique offerings with various advantages, none of those are a V-6, [p] while the Pilot continues with a V6 as its ONLY powertrain. We have the comparable all-gas Grand Highlander today, with a Turbo 4-cylinder. Power-wise, the Honda has the edge, while the Toyota has the torque advantage. But when the rubber hits the road, the 0-60 times are almost identical.

• Grand Highlander: 2.4L Turbo I-4: 265 hp | 310 lb.ft | 0-60 in 7.5s
• Pilot: 3.5L V6: 285 hp | 262 lb.ft of torque | 0-60 in 7.2s

After acceleration, you might be able to tell that the Pilot’s V-6 excels more when it comes to noise and refinement.

As far as the other elements, the Grand Highlander has an 8-speed automatic transmission, compared to 10 in the Honda. Both are smooth in everyday use, and both have capable AWD systems as equipped.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

Now let’s discuss both ride quality and handling characteristics for these family SUVs. Let’s start with the all-important ride quality, which both models excel in! Honda and Toyota know that families desire comfort, and these two are certainly among the segment leaders in this category. After spending hours behind the wheel of each one, you will be very happy with either of them.

The same goes when you toss them down a backroad, as each has nimble steering, for a 3-row, and a surprising amount of control through the twisties for this segment.

Continuing with comfort, let’s talk about the dB readings. Honda says they’ve improved the Pilot in this measure, but unfortunately, our reading was taken at a press event in California. While initial readings seem to support Honda’s claim, we will have to wait until we get the Pilot back in KY to compare it against the Toyota. Here are the readings for your reference anyway.

Grand Highlander: 52.8 dB @ 55 MPH

Pilot (Cali): 55.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, for fuel economy, the Grand Highlander’s 4-cylinder only manages to get one MPG better in all ratings over the Pilot, not enough to score a point. However, it does have the choice to purchase much more efficient hybrid variants, with up to 36 MPG, while the Pilot does not.

• GH Gas AWD: 20/26/22 MPG
• Pilot AWD: 19/25/21 MPG

Resale & Reliability

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. In this respect, both rate exceptionally high. Honda rated 13 spots above the industry average, and Toyota 2 slots higher still, as the industry leader. 

Related to that, they have the same warranty coverage, but Honda has one year of complimentary maintenance compared to Toyota’s two.

Pilot: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 1 yr

GH: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 2 yrs

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Honda actually has the highest value in the entire auto industry, at 64.79% expected retained value. Toyota is extremely close behind at 64.5% after 5 years and 60,000 miles.

And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to carconfections.com/resale and /reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

Price Assessment

Now let’s talk about pricing.

It’s no secret that prices have been going up across the industry as a whole, which means the midsize three-row segment is creeping closer and closer to the $60,000 price point. The more expensive Grand Highlander manages to get closer to that mark, after adding a few of the many options that Toyota offers. While the Pilot is more expensive with its refresh, it still manages to be the cheaper of the two.

Grand Highlander (Platinum AWD): $54,845 | Options: +$1,600 | Destination: $1,495 | Total: $57,940

Pilot (Elite AWD): $53,495 | Options: +$455 | Destination: $1,495 | Total: $55,445

To be exact, there will be a $2,495 price between these two competitors in favor of the Honda.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. 2026 Honda Pilot Winner!

So, there you have it: the objective winner! Do you agree? Here are a couple of things to consider when picking each one for you personally:

Pilot: 

• More solid cabin quality
• Flexible rear seating
• V6 refinement

Grand Highlander: 

• More space in the cargo areas
• More premium lighting
• Available hybrid systems 

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!