The 2023 Toyota Highlander and 2023 Honda Pilot are reliable, comfortable choices for a family. When it comes to choosing between them, the decision may come down to your usage needs and design preferences. These three-row midsize SUVs are equal parts dependable and daring and offer both comfort and safety. Read on to learn more about the design and features of the 2023 Toyota Highlander and 2023 Honda Pilot to help you decide which is the best choice for you.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander
Although it hasn’t been redesigned for 2023, the Toyota Highlander comes with a new engine. The new turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine improves both fuel efficiency and torque. Like the Pilot, the 2023 Highlander has an upgraded infotainment system. The Highlander also offers a hybrid option. The 2023 Highlander comes in 11 trim levels. The six gas trims are the L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The hybrid trims are the Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE, Bronze Edition, Hybrid Limited, and Hybrid Platinum. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
The 2023 Honda Pilot
The 2023 Honda Pilot has been completely redesigned. This all-new SUV has a fresh exterior design and an upgraded interior and infotainment system. A new 10-speed automatic transmission links with its standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional AWD. Although the 2023 Pilot retains its V-6 engine rather than changing to a new one like the Toyota Highlander, it has been boosted by five horsepower to 285 hp. The 2023 Honda Pilot is available in six trim levels: LX, Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. The 2023 Pilot doesn’t offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option.
Exterior Design Features
The 2023 Highlander now includes power-folding side mirrors with the Limited and Platinum trims, and Toyota has enhanced its bold design with 20-inch alloy wheels that come standard on several trims. The 2023 Pilot has a rugged look and a redesigned hexagon-mesh grille. It boasts attractive narrow-eyed LED headlights and LED taillights.
Engine and Capability
Here’s an overview of the key engine and capability differences between these two SUVs:
Toyota Highlander
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing its previous 3.5-liter V-6 engine. This new engine generates 265 horsepower. The Toyota Highlander has an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers 310 lb-ft of torque. Every Highlander offers valuable features, including trailer sway control and hill-start assist. The 2023 Highlander has a 5,000 lb maximum towing capacity and offers three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal.
The 2023 Highlander’s hybrid option sets it apart from the 2023 Pilot. Although the Highlander hybrid engine is less powerful than its standard engine, it offers improved fuel efficiency. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and sequential shift mode. The Highlander Hybrid is available with both FWD and AWD.
Honda Pilot
Every 2023 Honda Pilot comes with a DOHC 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 285 horsepower, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and offers 262 lb-ft of torque. It also introduces an updated torque-vectoring i-VTM4 AWD to boost the rear differential at some trim levels. If you choose the Honda Pilot TrailSport trim, you get improved off-road capabilities, including hill-descent control and a tuned suspension. The 2023 Pilot also has a 5,000-lb maximum towing capacity and offers five drive modes: Normal, ECON, Snow, Sport, and Tow. Some trim levels also include Sand and Trail modes.
Interior Design and Technology
If design and technology are your thing, here’s more about these features to help you on your decision journey:
Toyota Highlander
The 2023 Highlander has updated its infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at every trim level, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot and Amazon Alexa. You can enjoy the standard 8-inch infotainment touch screen or an available 12.3-inch touch screen. This feature is standard in the Limited and Platinum trims, which also get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster along with the Bronze Edition hybrid.
The Highlander can seat seven or eight, depending on whether you choose the standard second-row bench seating or second-row captain’s chairs. This SUV has 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, with the second row folded down and 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.
Honda Pilot
The 2023 Honda Pilot offers a standard 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, but a 9-inch option is available. Some trim levels offer Qi-compatible wireless charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and SoundStage digital processing.
The Pilot has roomy second and third rows and can seat seven to eight passengers. This Honda offers a removable, stable middle seat in the Touring and Elite trims, which can take the second-row seating arrangement to a three-person bench if needed. It offers 48.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded down or 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.
Safety
Toyota has equipped the Highlander with Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes an extensive array of safety features. Included with the 2023 Highlander are important safety technologies such as pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Some trim levels include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings and parking assistance with automatic braking. Highlander hybrids offer an available Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system that helps boost stability in slippery conditions.
The Pilot comes with many standard Honda safety systems in the Honda Sensing suite. These include collision-avoidance assist and collision warning systems, adaptive cruise control, hill-descent control, and an expanded blind-spot warning system. The Pilot also has useful driving features such as traffic-jam assist and traffic-sign recognition. The 2023 Pilot adds rear-seat reminders.
Want To Learn More About the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The Highlander and the Pilot are two solid three-row midsize SUVs. With either option, you get a comfortable and trustworthy ride for transporting your family around Prosper, Texas. The Highlander is an excellent choice for upgraded features, including its infotainment system and safety suite, and adaptability in seating arrangements and custom cargo space. At Longo Toyota of Prosper, our professional team is happy to help you learn more about the 2023 Toyota Highlander or any other vehicle in our lineup. Stop by or give us a call whenever you’re ready to learn more.
Connect with us
