Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander

[Jngrbrdman]

I'm doing some research on both of these vehicles. My family is growing in size and my current method of transportation is rapidly becoming inadequate. This would be a vehicle for my wife and she has some stipuations.

- It may not be ugly
- It may not be a mini-van
- It may not be a station wagon

My own stipulations don't matter since they would all be considered station wagons, but I am against getting a german car on top of those. So that limits the choices somewhat.

I'm most interested in something with a third row of seats. I am also not interested in an Expedition sized vehicle. The Pilot and the Highlander seem to best represent the size and type of truck that we are looking for.

So the reason I am posting this is to get some of your opinons. I've detailed several of each of those vehicles, but I have only driven the Pilot so far. Hopefully I'll take a test drive in a Highlander tonight. If anybody has some pros and cons of either truck then I would greatly appreciate it.

[G35stilez]

I've detailed both and I think the Highlander is a bit nicer overall.

However, I do have a softspot for Honda.

[budman3]

IMO the Pilots are ulgy. I drove a 4 cyl. Highlander and it was a nice little vehicle. It lacked a little HP because of the 4 cyl. and weight so maybe a V6 would be better. Or they even have the Hybrid model but don't expect a lot of performance. Toyota's last forever too. I'd say the only way to tell what vehicle you want is to take the family out and test drive a lot of vehicles and then pick which one is most practical, most liked, etc..

[Brenton]

I also like detailing the Highlander a bit better.
The Exloder, I mean, Explorer, can also have 3rd row seating.
Get leather.

[Poorboy]

a few other choices could be the Tribeca since you like subaru
the pacifica is pretty roomy too if you can deal with a chrysler,(extended warranty is a must) , or even for has the Freestyle which is not a minivan or a station wagon but something in between and comes in AWD...

[TrueDetailer]

I don't know much about the import suv's. I like the new ford explorers. IMO its the best mid sized suv out of the big 3 us automakers.

[fishmilk]

Toyota's engines are quite a bit better... someone told me this a long time ago, but I didn't really believe him because I liked Honda more of the two rivals.

One day it just really clicked, I noticed how many 15 year + Toyota Corolla and Camries I see around these days... quite a few, Honda Accords and Civics? MUCH less.

[G35stilez]

Originally Posted by fishmilk

One day it just really clicked, I noticed how many 15 year + Toyota Corolla and Camries I see around these days... quite a few, Honda Accords and Civics? MUCH less.

That's because they all got stolen and chopped up ...j/k

[Jngrbrdman]

I can't get over the ugliness of some cars. The Tribecca is one of those cars. I want to puke every time I see it. They kind of pulled an SVX manuver with that car. The inside is awesome, but it is one freaky looking truck.

The other suggestions are good. I think my main concern is the price point right now. No offense to Ford guys, but I don't trust their reliability or resale value. I'd rather stick with Honda and Toyota. I'd go with Subaru as well, but they really don't have anything that I want. Correction... I'm already driving the only thing they have that I want. This is for the wife and she is a Honda or Toyota gal, so that is the direction I kind of have to stick to I think.

[MCA]

I am also in the same boat as I have to replace the wife's Ford Focus - we've got twins coming soon. Our top 3 are the Highlander, Pilot and Nissan Murano. Short outake for each of them when we test-drove them - as you know everyone's opinions on cars can vary to the most extreme:

1. Toyota Highlander - build quality, reliability, and refinement are of the Toyota-vein. I wish the recent 3.5 V6 was available because the current 3.3 V6 is slightly underpowered when compared to the other 2 vehicles. Space is more than adequate (measured for 2 car seats and a double-stroller).

2. Honda Pilot - high marks on quality, space, engine, and noise-level. The steering and tranny really surprised me - maybe it's just me, but it does not have that "Honda-preciseness" that have I have grown accustomed too. Also, options are fairly expensive when compared to the others.

3. Nissan Murano - Begins and ends with the engine/tranny combination. Definitely a leg or two better than the others in this department. If I was simply just driving, I would choose the Murano. Comfortable bucket-style seating for 4 people - This is the achilles heel of the Murano. Smaller cabin, no third row seating, smaller rear compartment. This was not baby-friendly. Comes with very nice std equipment, but the options are generally only available as part of a bigger more expensive accessory package.

I hope this helps - but definitely hit up the dealerships on the SAME day to test drive.

MCA

[ewiesner]

I own an 04 Pilot and really like it. Lots of room, good power and decent mileage. I drove a Highlander before I bought my Pilot and the biggest difference I noticed was the Pilot has a somewhat wider stance. I've owned both Hondas and Toyotas and have always been pleased. My current choice was made easier by the salesman and the service department. The Toyota dealer that is convenient for me is a real loser.

[Jngrbrdman]

^^ Both of those last posts help a lot. They also echo what my feelings are.

The third row seating is important. That pretty much knocks Nissan out of the running even if I didn't have personal issues with Nissans in general. I made an exception for the 350Z that I used to care for, but other than that I don't even detail Nissans. That should tell you something.

What kind of gas milage are you seeing in the Pilot? Is it really 20mpg? That just seems kind of low if it is. My 93 4 Runner got better milage than that, so it surprises me that people are saying the Pilot gets that.

I'm off to the dealership to talk to them again. We'll see what they have to say. I appreciate your feedback.

[jdubb5005]

I don't know your price range you are looking at, but a Pilot with leather and the rear entertainment system is very nice for the kids. XM radio is also included and it is a perk if they have the stations you like. I am a Sirius favorite myself, but XM does have some decent stuff. As for the Highlander I am not very familiar with it, but IMO Toyota products have been on the up and up and you can't go wrong with either choice. Another thing to look at, is if you are planning on keeping the vehicle for a long time, find out what the maintenance costs are down the road. That can sway some people in different directions.

[belcherm58]

I would be scared of the Ford Explorer. I know several people who own and are not happy at all. My sister for one traded hers after a year. A guy I work with has the Mercury version. He said they were going to trade it for a Toyota 4 Runner. He is worn out with the warranty work. Toyota or Hondas are hard to beat. I have a soft spot for Toyotas. I have had 5 4 wheelers and all
were extremely reliable. GM got me for the last time. I will not go back. Sorry guys. Don't flame me. They did it to me, Not me to them. When I spend my hard earned money, I do not like a manufactuer telling me what is an acceptable amount of defects or poor workmanship. They tell you what you want to hear selling it. Then once it's yours. they tell you what their policy
for fixing is. NOT! You get me once.... Shame on you... You get me twice....Shame on me. 4 runners are great. No third row seats though.

[Jngrbrdman]

I just got back from the dealership. Honda offered me 19,500 for my Legacy if I wanted to trade it in. Personally I think it is worth more than that, so I'll hold out till maybe fall and see what happens. I sort of want to see what interest rates do too. The loan on my Legacy is at 2.9% and the dealership told me the best they could do is 6%. What's the point of having a credit score in the mid 700s if you can't do better than 6% interest on a car loan? Hell, my mortgage is lower than that.

Anyway, we'll see what happens. Maybe I'll just put a For Sale page up on my site and see what kind of interest I get. By the time I get around to selling it I'll probably wish I could go back and take the 19,5 offer. lol