When choosing an SUV, one of the most common questions people have is which vehicle is bigger. If you’re deciding between the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander, size is an important factor. In this article, we’ll explore the size differences between these two popular SUVs in detail, helping you make an informed decision based on your space and comfort needs. We’ll look at the dimensions, interior space, cargo capacity, and how the size affects performance and convenience.
Overview of the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size SUV known for its spacious interior, smooth ride, and strong performance. It has been a popular choice for families due to its three-row seating, generous cargo space, and practical design. Whether you are taking long trips with family or need extra room for gear, the Pilot is designed to provide ample space for everyone and everything.
The Honda Pilot is available in several trims, including the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each offering different levels of features and technology. However, all trim levels have the same spacious cabin and cargo capacity, making it easy for you to choose a model that meets your needs without worrying about compromising on space.
Dimensions of the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot has the following dimensions:
- Overall Length: 196.5 inches
- Width: 78.6 inches
- Height: 70.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 111 inches
- Ground Clearance: 7.3 inches
These dimensions make the Pilot a fairly large SUV in the mid-size category, especially when compared to other vehicles in its class. It is a three-row SUV with the capacity to seat up to eight passengers, or seven if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs. The width and length provide ample space for comfortable seating, and the wheelbase ensures stability while driving.
Interior Space of the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is designed with interior space in mind. It has generous legroom, especially in the second row, and the third row, while suitable for adults, is more comfortable for children or shorter trips.
- Passenger Volume: 153.1 cubic feet
- Front Headroom: 40.1 inches
- Front Legroom: 40.9 inches
- Second-Row Legroom: 38.4 inches
- Third-Row Legroom: 31.9 inches
The Pilot offers plenty of space for passengers in all three rows. It also has excellent cargo space, with up to 109 cubic feet of space available when the rear seats are folded down. This makes it an excellent choice for families with larger storage needs.
Overview of the Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is also a mid-size SUV that competes with the Honda Pilot in the family vehicle category. Like the Pilot, the Highlander is known for its comfortable interior, advanced safety features, and reliable performance. However, when it comes to size, the Highlander is a bit more compact compared to the Pilot. Despite its smaller size, it still provides plenty of space for passengers and cargo, making it a versatile option for those who don’t necessarily need a large SUV.
The Toyota Highlander is available in various trims, including the L, LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. It also offers a hybrid model for those looking for better fuel efficiency. The Highlander’s design emphasizes a balance between size, performance, and efficiency.
Dimensions of the Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander has the following dimensions:
- Overall Length: 194.9 inches
- Width: 76 inches
- Height: 68.1 inches
- Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
- Ground Clearance: 8 inches
The Highlander is slightly smaller than the Pilot in overall length and width, but it’s only a few inches shorter in length, making the size difference relatively minor. However, the Highlander’s shorter height and different wheelbase make it feel more compact, which can be beneficial for urban driving or tight parking spaces.
Interior Space of the Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander offers ample space, although it is slightly more compact than the Honda Pilot. The interior space is designed to be efficient and comfortable for families, but it may feel a bit more cramped, especially in the third row. It can seat up to eight passengers, but most people opt for the seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain’s chairs for added comfort.
- Passenger Volume: 141.3 cubic feet
- Front Headroom: 42 inches
- Front Legroom: 42.3 inches
- Second-Row Legroom: 41 inches
- Third-Row Legroom: 27.7 inches
Although the Highlander’s third-row legroom is more limited than the Pilot’s, the second-row space is still generous. The cargo capacity is also decent but not as spacious as the Pilot:
- Cargo Space: Up to 84.3 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down.
This makes the Highlander suitable for smaller families or those who don’t need as much cargo space.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander: Which Is Bigger?
When it comes to overall size, the Honda Pilot is the larger vehicle in terms of both exterior dimensions and interior space. Let’s break down the main differences:
Exterior Dimensions
Length: The Honda Pilot is 1.6 inches longer than the Toyota Highlander (196.5 inches vs. 194.9 inches). While this difference may seem small, it translates to a more spacious cabin inside the Pilot.
Width: The Pilot is 2.6 inches wider than the Highlander (78.6 inches vs. 76 inches), giving it a broader footprint and more interior room.
Height: The Toyota Highlander is shorter in height than the Honda Pilot (68.1 inches vs. 70.6 inches), making the Pilot a taller vehicle, which may provide a higher driving position.
Wheelbase: The Toyota Highlander has a slightly longer wheelbase (112.2 inches vs. 111 inches), which can result in a smoother ride due to better weight distribution and handling. However, the difference is minimal.
Interior Space
Passenger Volume: The Honda Pilot offers more passenger space with 153.1 cubic feet, compared to the Toyota Highlander’s 141.3 cubic feet. This means the Pilot provides more space for passengers in all three rows.
Third-Row Legroom: The Honda Pilot has a larger third-row legroom of 31.9 inches compared to the Toyota Highlander’s 27.7 inches. This makes the Pilot more suitable for adults in the third row, whereas the Highlander’s third row is better suited for children or short trips.
Cargo Space: The Honda Pilot leads in cargo space with up to 109 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. In comparison, the Toyota Highlander provides 84.3 cubic feet, which is still generous but less than the Pilot’s.
Performance Impact of Size
The size difference between the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander may affect performance in a few ways. While both SUVs are capable of handling a variety of driving conditions, the Honda Pilot’s larger size provides more stability on the road. Its extra weight can also contribute to a smoother ride and better towing capabilities. However, this larger size can sometimes make the Pilot more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, especially in urban settings.
On the other hand, the Toyota Highlander’s smaller size makes it more nimble and easier to drive in city environments. Its compact design may also make parking in tight spots easier. However, it may sacrifice some of the stability and comfort that the larger Pilot provides on long trips.
How Size Affects Practicality
When considering practicality, the Honda Pilot is the better choice for those who need more space for passengers and cargo. The larger interior dimensions make it easier to fit adults in all three rows, and the generous cargo space means you can pack more for long trips.
However, if you’re looking for an SUV that is easier to park and more suited for everyday commuting or navigating busy city streets, the Toyota Highlander may be the better choice. Its slightly smaller size gives it an advantage in urban environments, where maneuverability is key.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Honda Pilot is the larger of the two vehicles, offering more space for passengers, especially in the third row, and more cargo room. If you need a spacious family vehicle with ample room for all your gear, the Pilot is the better option. However, the Toyota Highlander offers a more compact design, making it easier to maneuver and park, especially in urban environments. Both vehicles offer excellent performance, reliability, and advanced safety features, so the choice ultimately depends on your needs for space and maneuverability.
Both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are excellent choices for families, and either one can provide the comfort and reliability you need for your everyday driving or road trips. Whether you’re using it as a daily driver or relying on it for longer trips with your family, both vehicles are dependable and well-suited to modern life.
Lastly, if you’re planning on using your SUV to power electrical equipment during a camping trip or emergency, keep in mind that the Honda Pilot’s extra space might provide more room to store a generator or additional tools and equipment for outdoor activities.
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