The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are long-time rivals in the mid-size SUV segment. In recent years, the Highlander has dominated the competition, becoming the best-selling mid-size SUV in 2021. However, this dominance may end for the 2023 model year The 2023 Honda Pilot has one huge advantage over the 2023 Toyota Highlander: a nice redesign.
Unlike the 2023 Toyota Highlander, the 2023 Honda Pilot has a new design.
The fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot impresses with its all-new design. Conversely, the Toyota Highlander hasn’t been redesigned in three years. If you are the type of automotive buyer who enjoys a fresh and new look for cars, then the Pilot is a good mid-size SUV choice for you.
Overall, the new Pilot has a more rugged exterior design with a boxier shape and truck-like styling. Notable exterior design features include a large upright grille, flared fenders and a strong horizontal beltline. Also, the long hood and pulled-back A-pillars create an element of sportiness. And at the rear, there are new LED taillights and a body-colored roof spoiler.
The redesigned 2023 Pilot offers more interior space than the 2023 Highlander
The all-new 2023 Honda Pilot is larger than the outgoing model. It is 3.4 inches longer, with a wider track width and a longer wheelbase. Besides giving the mid-size SUV a more aggressive appearance, the increased exterior dimensions result in more interior space.
Honda claims the Pilot has class-leading interior space, including plenty of room for storage. It has a rear cargo capacity of 22.4 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 113.7 cu-ft, compared to the 2023 Toyota Highlander’s 16.0/84.3 cu-ft. Additionally, the Pilot has useful storage compartments and many cup holders.
Additionally, the Pilot’s cabin is more modern, while the Highlander could use an upgrade. In addition, the Pilot offers a more comfortable ride with new body-stabilizing seats that reduce fatigue on long journeys.
Unlike the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot offers an off-road model with the new TrailSport trim
Off-road SUVs are very popular these days, and the 2023 Pilot meets this demand with the new TrailSport trim. While the 2023 Highlander is a great family SUV for city driving, it doesn’t offer an off-road model.
The TrailSport features a more rugged design than the standard Pilot model, as well as off-road features to aid in wilderness adventures. These include a TrailWatch camera system, a Trail Torque Logic off-road system, stabilizer bars, all-terrain tires, and unique 18-inch wheels with inset spokes to protect against damage on rough terrain. In addition, the Pilot TrailSport features an off-road-tuned suspension with a one-inch lift for additional ground clearance.
The TrailSport, along with the rest of the Pilot lineup, is powered by a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which delivers 285 horsepower. In comparison, the turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four engine in the Highlander generates 265 horsepower, while its 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain makes 243 horsepower. Also, for improved traction, the Pilot offers the upgraded i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system.
With its excellent redesign, the 2023 Honda Pilot has huge advantages over the 2023 Toyota Highlander. We have to see if the changes and upgrades will help the Pilot end the Highlander’s dominance in the mid-size SUV segment.