The kick to open feature is usually in the center of the bumper expecting the driver to walk up to the tailgate to put in something, not on the corner of the vehicle.
I recently drove every large crossover and full size SUV and found the Pilot to be the best blend of space, versatility and ride quality. Coming from 2 straight Toyota Sequoias, I was excited to try the GH but the ride quality was really bad and it was surprisingly noisy. Toyota is prioritizing fuel efficiency over ride quality which may appeal to some but I prefer a quieter smooth ride and will sacrifice some MPGs.
@@kevlew70Well Honda and Acura makes best car body. Better than Toyota and similar quality comparable as of to Volvo. They use sound deadening and do a lot of sound proofing along with ANC (active noise cancellation) standard in most Acura. They use high quality zinc coating on body too. Other than weak transmissions, alternator and electrical stuff every other part of Honda and Acura exceeds Toyota in quality. Toyota is just a great overall package. If you are willing to pump some money into your Honda and take care of it. I t would last 25-30 years+. There are 80's and 90's manual Acuras that are still on road in rust belt areas.
I have a GH and the ride is very smooth and very quiet. I do not have crossbars on my roof rack. I remember when I added them to my old 2007 Honda Pilot the wind noise increased dramatically
I purchased the pilot touring after seeing both. I was surprised how good i felt inside the pilot and how comfortable and silent it drives. I like the simplicity too.
@@crouchingtiger7552 no problems yet. I don't like it though. I sometimes get confused. Once I was having high revs all because I pushed d/s button twice by mistake.
In Canada do you see more Elites or trailsports ( higher clearance ) is the snow something to be concerned about when choosing one over there other. Or is the Elite, EXL, touring enough to drive up to the ski resorts ? And drive in the highways ?
I remember when the black trim and panels on your vehicle meant you bought the cheapest model, DX or LX model, rather than full body color panels and bumpers. What's old is new again
The Honda was a no-brainer on many levels. I really have no idea why people are hung up on screen size. It wasn't long ago where 5 or 6 inch screens were easily adopted. The 9 inch works fine and in no way is a detrement to what you will use it for. A 6 cylinder ICE motor was the main reason I went for the Honda. It still has descent gas mileage and will be way cheaper to any vehicle with a turbo and hybrid vehicle in the long run. At least most mechanics on your road trips can fix most normal engine issues. Try fixing a hybrid when it breaks anywhere but a dealer! And cost!! Don't even get me started, and I know! Why I got rid of my hybrid years ago. Love the extra milleage it gets you, but in the long run, there is so much more to maintain. I have nothing against Toyota, but I just can't the turbo or hybrid again unless I'm forced to. So, I just bought the 2024 Honda Elite and love it!
The only thing I wish they had kept the VTEC. It is a such a joy when you are racing someone off the light and suddenly the VTEC kicks in and it's like a mini turbo kicks in and the car takes off.
@@alijoon1621 I hear you, but they really had no choice to stay emmissions compliant for the future. Either that or end up with turbos like everyone else seems to be going. I actually enjoy the motor and think it has plenty of pep and sounds great and most of all is still an ICE motor.
This, Toyota said they did it for emissions NOT MPG. However, I feel like it was more of a "brain fart" moment and the emissions line is just an excuse. Because that V6 was the best V6 in the mid-size SUV category, refined for almost a decade and got above average MPG. The fact that this 4l Turbo only gets 1 MPG better, just proves how good the old V6 was.
Another correction, that walk away after pressing the button feature in Honda. It just doesn’t wait for two second it actually connected to your key. You can press the button even if it take you longer. It waits until it detects the key going away and then it closes the trunk.
I recently purchased a Grand Highlander XLE awd hybrid. I love it. ❤ I do alot of highway driving and get about 28mpg highway and 30mpg city. It's good in the snow (live in northern MI) and the inside is large enough to fit a toddler and 2 teens comfortably in the back without feeling like it's too cramped. I originally wanted a sequoia, however the seats in it can't fold flat and it was 30k more than the GH.
Of course GH works and do the job. Enjoy it. But the V6 Smooth Powerful Feeling is amazing (from a Pilot 2025 owner) the 19 mpg will give me 300K miles of engine life vs 150K 4cyl Turbo.
Easily the pilot. It looks better, interior is better, same space, it performs better drives better transmission is better AWD is better middle seat comes out more storage etc
I think, overall the Pilot is better for bigger, taller people. I had a 2014 Highlander, 2017 Pilot and now on my second Pilot (2024). I also prefer Honda’s handling and engine tuning. But both options are amazing practical and comfortable family haulers. I love this format.
Not really, I swapped my 3.5L V6 Highlander for the Grand Highlander and its the same thing! I know the V6 is said to hold up better, but remember, this is Toyota. They don't sacrifice quality for numbers! Toyota has a big name for longevity, they aren't going to ruin years of hard work for a turbo!
The grand highlander has a bigger 3rd row but I remember watching savagegeese where they said it’ll make the passengers more car sick. Ended up with the 2023 pilot and loving it!
Did you see the 3rd row comparison from this video ? GH 3rd row is bigger on paper but he felt more confortable in the Pilot because of it bigger head room...
Honda all day. I’ll take a naturally aspirated motor over turbo charged, and every other review out there comments on how the Grand Highlander rides like a boat. Soft and squishy yet wallows and bogs in the corners with massive body roll.
You are 100% correct. Drove both, bought the Pilot Elite . No body roll or “boaty wallowing” The Pilot feels more planted and secure on the road and on curves. It takes rough asphalt and bumps-and smooths them out better. Price $55,000 out the door, total bottom line. I know this vehicle will last me many, many years.
I am a Toyota fan, but due to the unavailability of GH in the USA due to recals of GH and stopped production, I bought a Pilot. I love this car. The steering is so convenient that you can drive the whole day with one hand or finger. Engine and gearbox is silky smooth and also engine. But the GH engine is more responsive compared.
Thank you, thank you Sam. I love the fact this guy always presents the " facts " straightforward . Same thing applies when he performs his drag races ! ❤
I’m Honda all day long but for Toyota when they got rid of 6 cylinder they lost alot of people that was for Toyota. Honda is nice and simple 6 cylinder all motor just normal with plenty enough power for what I would use it for. Love Toyota as well but the winner here is the pilot for sure
@@modernsoccer1860 I know, tghe screen size in my 2014 was bigger than the 2024 .... same engine also, living in Japan for 11 years I understand the benefits of turbos, the power delivery is also different, 300 Plus Tq at 1800 RPM the GH has a very light zippy pedal feel, I looked at both, the 2024 Honda Pilot is a real let down, never considered Toypota just happened to stop by the lot. Got a GH deal car 700 miles on it saved me 3K off ordering one and I was paying cash so I didn't need financing. I test drove theh 4wd 4T gunned it on an on ramp, all 4 wheels buckled down very sporty, I was like dam this aint the Honda, the GH feels small, very zippy as for the GH Prime I heard its heavier faster, more bouncy cause same shocks and brakes as mine, more cash I dont need that power or extra maintenance
I’ll take the Pilot for that naturally aspirated V6 that I could dog around like a workhorse. Honda’s i-vrtm drivetrain is also excellent with snow and sharp corners. The Trailsport trim for camping and hiking trails.
The deal breaker for me is the turbo 4-cylinder. How reliable is it compared with the naturally aspirated engine V6? That is why they are so popular because of their known reliability. Now the new turbo V4, I like to know how reliable it is in the long run.
land cruiser now a days has turbos, so i think these turbos are good..... ummmmm need to decide and think before buying with turbos, so no regrets in the future if ever problem arises.
will be interesting to see engine longevity..Honda NA V6 vs Toyota's 2.4T...my money is on the Honda for long term ownership. That 2.4 T is going to be working in the boost a lot of its life to move 4600lbs...
Not me, Toyota isn't going to sacrifice years of being the best for longevity over a turbo! I love my Grand, best Toyota I've owned, and I've owned A LOT!
Pilot has a much better AWD system, rugged Trailsport version, much quieter and smoother J35 NA V6, and at "about" the same price, Pilot has a much better brother called MDX, which is nicer than TX somehow, except the fuel consumption...
@@100history-j1w2022 + MDX drives nice with the 10 speed. The type S comes with 25 speakers and ELS Studio 3D Signature audio system and 355hp. It blows the Mark Levinson audio in Lexus out of the park and is definitely faster and handled amazing in snow with Super handling all wheel drive. It's basically a rear wheel drive car while cornering and it feels like a sedan when you race it in corners. It sounds amazing with stock exhaust. Acura seats are one of the most comfortable. Only downside would be touchscreen infotainment
Sam with all due respect, American car journalists don't care about us so don't explain yourself to them. I like the way you review cars including motormouth Zach and Andrea coz you guys always considered American consumers. Motormouth breaks down everything trim price etc. more power to your channel.
We own a GH and we test drove the pilot, although the pilot is more quiet at some places, it feels cheap with the interior unlike the GH. The pilot also felt less responsive with steering.
This sounds like a bit biased towards the toyota. Im not a honda guy but honda has way better handling than the gh. They almost forgot the body control on the gh.
To accurately measure seat space/leg room, seat behind the wheel and adjust it to your most comfortable driving position and distance... move into the second row behind the drivers seat and adjust the seat to where you have enough space where you're comfortable. Then move to the third row behind the second row seat that you adjusted by using the passenger side (to prevent moving the 2nd row seat). Then seat behind the second row seat (driver's side) and make the necessary adjustment (recline) to get comfortable. Only then can you tell which car has more leg room. You moved the Grand Highlander second seat all the way back but not with the Pilot which gave you the impression that the Pilot has more legroom in the 3rd row. Remember, the Grand Highlander has 97.5 cubic feet of interior space behind the first row while the Pilot only has 87 cubic feet. The cargo volume on the Grand Highlander is 20.6 cubic feet while the Pilot has 18.6 feet which means the Grand Highlander still has 8.5 more cubic feet of space in the second and 3rd row seats (97.5 - 87 = 10.5, 10.5 - 2 = 8.5). Don't tell me the Grand Highlander has 9-10 cubic feet more space in the second row than the Pilot for the Pilot to have a more spacious third row than the Grand Highlander.
check the review of xc90 by car care nut..... he said something about transmission or something...... but anyway I still love that car too, strong and very fast and interior is excellent...... but i remember, seat are too firm?.... perhaps tray it first
Honda makes the best engine, fun to drive and yet fuel economy can't be beaten, and as the 3rd Row is more suitable for adults it's a no brainer to choose the pilot over toyota gh
I looked into both before I decided on the Grand Highlander. The Pilot has strickley a GDI engine, a timing belt and rotors are noted for overheating and warping between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. With all those know maintenance cost it pushed me to the Grand Highlander. GDI's will carbon up and need cleaning every 20,000, timing belt cost replacement between 60,000 and 80,000 miles will cost about $2000 and not sure of rotor cost replacement but I would go with a different brand than Honda and they have known about this for years on their other year Pilots. All this comes from a dealer Honda mechanic to me. Believe me I asked a lot of questions to both though the Pilot is more cost effective on initial purchase and I do believe it is a good vehicle but i also believe the Grand Highlander to be just a bit better IMHO.
The only downside of the pilot is the button styled shifter, what would happen if you spilled a liquid on it. I'm sure something will surely go wrong with the shifter.
@@uaeelectronics I owned a 2016 pilot elite and now a 2021 passport elite. I accidentally spilled coffee on both a couple time. No problem at all. Many of the GM products are also using the push button format exactly like Honda.
This is the first video that says Pilot has more room in the 3rd row than Grand Highlander. Most of video I saw said GH has more room than Pilot. What is the correct information?
As a current Honda pilot elite owner, I agree. My car is in the shop over a week to fix the steering wheel and thread issue in the front seat. Not a good investment.
@@seikocitizenwatches , lately issues have arisen regarding the Toyota quality. The most know one is having to replace 100,000 V6 engines in both Lexus and Toyota products. I’ve read there maybe issues with the latest transmissions - antidotal so far but, there has been chatter about that. My point is Toyota is not infallible. Oh, yes Honda has issues also. Me, I’m not a fan of turbo’s. It puts a lot of stress on the motor and I’m one who thinks long term reliability is a potential issue. Honda V6 are legendary ( so were Toyota V6’s).
I got the Honda Pilot in May 2023. It's been 10 months and I love it. I have been on long trips (1000 km) and it feels awesome. Recently, I went to check the Hybrid Grand Highlander for better fuel efficiency but didn't like it. I felt Pilot is roomier than GH. Maybe just me but I dropped the idea of buying GH.
I would say the pilot wins but its not a confident win. Its got a V6 which can tow 5k lbs. the GH can tow 3.5k but it will kill the engine life because its already a heavy beast. The pilot also has planned obsolescence with cylinder deactivation and iffy quality on components like exhaust and stuff which is why it don’t think it deserves my $50k+. Overall do like the honda styling inside an out though.
The Pilot has the better overall package over the GH. Maybe the GH gas some features over the Pilot (screen) but the Pilot ticks most of the boxes, you quickly forget about the GH bells and whistles.
Price-wise, the 2024 Grand Highlander in the US costs 48k, while the 2024 Pilot EX-L is 44k, and those are the most popular trims. The G. Highlander is 2.4L turbo, while the Pilot is v6 3.5. The Pilot appears to be the best bang for the buck.
Honda has less space with 3 seats up, 2 seats up, and just front seats up. Honda is really dated also. Badly needs a tech refresh. The tiny Nav looks like it belongs on a 10 year old vehicle.
There might be some confusion as the GH's top trim in Canada is the Platinum as well. So comparing the GH's Platinum to the Pilot's Black Edition might be more appropriate
Both cars have engine issues. the all new Honda V6 has (variable-displacement) that uses the valve lifters to turn off cylinders. This is technology that GM deployed 20 years ago and hemmoraged customers. The Toyota V6 has been in a class action suit due to metal fragments in the oil. Good luck.
This is a biased review. He talked about wind noise & drivers cabin in pilot, not in GH etc etc I drove both. PILOT is a clear win. Nice drivers cabin, good command, less wind noise, way better visibility than GH, better breaking, easy to handle in sharp turns. GH is lacking in all these segments. So i just bought PILOT ✅
my mom had a last gen pilot and it gave many inconveniences, transmission failed after three years of ownership, auto start stop feature would fail to restart many times, remote start would start car then it would shut off right away, alternator went bad, also causing battery to drain, i really hope honda improved for this new model
Hondas trannys had been bad for years and the v6 engines have problems with the timing belt ,, just that is a no no for me regardless of how many gadgets , colors amenities they put on it , hands down toyota in every way
@@planetfabulous5833 im only complaining because it fails to restart the car whenever it does activate, but it always defaults to on and we forget to disable the feature
I owned turbo charged bmws then switched to 3.5 liter v6 honda odyssey Turbo lag is always there and 4 cylinder sounds always worse than v6 howling I know it doesnt matter for most families , but i think turbo will cost more in the future to maintain as it has more parts to break down
The Pilot and GH are big vehicle for most reviewers, but they look like crossovers when you stand next to them Sam. Lol. Very nice review Sam. I always watch your reviews. Maybe drag race the midsize 3rows next? Thanks!
Thank you. Very nice review. I have Honda Pilot 2023 Touring. I would say it is very zippy in sports mode but beside that yes I do feel the lack of zippyness even though it’s very powerful if you push it. One thing I definitely wish they would have is the larger screen. I have it touring and it does not give me the 360 view. I wish they would have it in touring as well. My biggest beef with them is the larger screen beside that I love it.
There’s massive months long waitlist for the grand Highlander. Dealers charging markup due to demand. No waitlist for the Pilot. That right there tells you which one is more desirable.
It's annoying having buttons in the front center next to the cup holders etc... It means it will get ditty and buttons get grimy and stuck. My current vehicle has buttons in the middle and i accidentally hit it with my keys, items, spills, etc...
Which vehicle is less likely to be stolen in the Greater Toronto Area? We do not live in the GTA, but spent 1 night in Mississauga and our 2021 Highlander was stolen from the hotel parking lot. Didn't like the city before, like it less now!
Why does Toyota seem to have trouble designing interior spaces. Everything feels cramped and unnecessarily claustrophobic. Same is true of the sienna vs Odyssey.
Your music mix is WAAAAAAY too loud compared to your dialogue mix casuing the viewer to jump when the music cuts in. Please master your audio with better balance.
Looking at the pilot touring and trailsport. I want the trailsport but makes more sense to get touring I don’t go off roading I just like the trailsport look inside and out but think the touring makes more sense for me
I was in the exact dilemma as well. We needed to upgrade our accord touring to prepare for a new baby. We loved that trim. We drove both and loved both. The trailsport seemed to have a bit more ride comfort with the bigger tires. And my wife will be the primary driver so we went with the trailsport. The tires are offset beyond the wheel so she won’t be able to curb the wheels which was a plus. We don’t do any off-roading but the ruggedness and durability ultimately made our decision. It was the piece of mind knowing my family was wrapped up in a solid vehicle.
Man lot of honda pilot fans here. Ive driven 3 generations of the honda pilot but decided to go with the grand highlander hybrid max plat. If you are talking about gas only then yes id go with the pilot. But the top trim GH with 362 bhp and 400 lb ft torque will smoke the pilot and pretty much most suv in its segment any day, while getting better fuel economy. 0 to 60 is 5.9 sec for the GH while the pilot gets there 6.9. For all u with a pilot, drag race anyone?
My height is 6.2ft or 189mm
That’s why it’s like the vehicle is small ,, you are tall ,, now the people with 5 ft up can imagine there self in that vehicle
Thank you for your reply and review
You know the second row of the Honda can adjust your seat back right? 😅
I'm 6ft. 4in. And and fit in the Honda Pilot with room to spare!
average height is 5ft 10 in Canada and USA. there is plenty of room in both cars but pilot is a lot better in headroom.
I ended up getting the Pilot EX-L. Extremely solid, comfortable, well built/designed and pretty nice to drive
The kick to open feature is usually in the center of the bumper expecting the driver to walk up to the tailgate to put in something, not on the corner of the vehicle.
@kevinharbeson775 I enjoy my Pilot as well.
I recently drove every large crossover and full size SUV and found the Pilot to be the best blend of space, versatility and ride quality. Coming from 2 straight Toyota Sequoias, I was excited to try the GH but the ride quality was really bad and it was surprisingly noisy. Toyota is prioritizing fuel efficiency over ride quality which may appeal to some but I prefer a quieter smooth ride and will sacrifice some MPGs.
I own a GH and the ride and quiet cabin are great. Not sure where you drove it but its a vast improvement from my old Atlas.
I’ve heard ride is noisy in GH, thin hood rattles
@@kevlew70Well Honda and Acura makes best car body. Better than Toyota and similar quality comparable as of to Volvo. They use sound deadening and do a lot of sound proofing along with ANC (active noise cancellation) standard in most Acura. They use high quality zinc coating on body too. Other than weak transmissions, alternator and electrical stuff every other part of Honda and Acura exceeds Toyota in quality. Toyota is just a great overall package.
If you are willing to pump some money into your Honda and take care of it. I t would last 25-30 years+.
There are 80's and 90's manual Acuras that are still on road in rust belt areas.
The Lexus TX is also loud. It produces a loud wind noise.
I have a GH and the ride is very smooth and very quiet. I do not have crossbars on my roof rack. I remember when I added them to my old 2007 Honda Pilot the wind noise increased dramatically
I purchased the pilot touring after seeing both. I was surprised how good i felt inside the pilot and how comfortable and silent it drives. I like the simplicity too.
How was the push button shifter?I heard it's a crap and lots of problems occur after a month.
@@crouchingtiger7552 been driving my Honda pilot trailsport 2024 since January no issues. super smooth and quiet.
@@crouchingtiger7552 no problems yet. I don't like it though. I sometimes get confused. Once I was having high revs all because I pushed d/s button twice by mistake.
@@crouchingtiger7552 I've had mine for 3 months. No issues with the push button shifter at all. Seriously. None...
I rented the EXL and I was happy with it but to me it seemed slightly sluggish on the acceleration. I really enjoy my 17’ Pilot.
In Canada, we drive on the snow and ice for 4-5 months every year, we should raise the importance factor of the AWD capability, then Honda Pilot wins.
Yes. Honda Pilot is the BEST.
Absolutely. Honda's AWD system is one of the best ever made.
Best...how? how you compare the quality of a Toyota during the winter? best? best what?
yeah I don't see toyotas with awd or 4wd drive getting stuck or having their transmissions fail early.
In Canada do you see more Elites or trailsports ( higher clearance ) is the snow something to be concerned about when choosing one over there other. Or is the Elite, EXL, touring enough to drive up to the ski resorts ? And drive in the highways ?
I remember when the black trim and panels on your vehicle meant you bought the cheapest model, DX or LX model, rather than full body color panels and bumpers. What's old is new again
Definitely Pilot. GH has hybrid yes, but they’re in short supply and thousands more. Most are gas models which felt not as good as the pilot imo.
The Honda was a no-brainer on many levels. I really have no idea why people are hung up on screen size. It wasn't long ago where 5 or 6 inch screens were easily adopted. The 9 inch works fine and in no way is a detrement to what you will use it for. A 6 cylinder ICE motor was the main reason I went for the Honda. It still has descent gas mileage and will be way cheaper to any vehicle with a turbo and hybrid vehicle in the long run. At least most mechanics on your road trips can fix most normal engine issues. Try fixing a hybrid when it breaks anywhere but a dealer! And cost!! Don't even get me started, and I know! Why I got rid of my hybrid years ago. Love the extra milleage it gets you, but in the long run, there is so much more to maintain. I have nothing against Toyota, but I just can't the turbo or hybrid again unless I'm forced to. So, I just bought the 2024 Honda Elite and love it!
The screen will be fixed in the mid cycle update in 2026
Nothing wrong with the screen, but if it's updated to the larger one, so be it. I still am fine with the 9 inch. No issues. @@ItsAlive111
The only thing I wish they had kept the VTEC. It is a such a joy when you are racing someone off the light and suddenly the VTEC kicks in and it's like a mini turbo kicks in and the car takes off.
@@alijoon1621 I hear you, but they really had no choice to stay emmissions compliant for the future. Either that or end up with turbos like everyone else seems to be going. I actually enjoy the motor and think it has plenty of pep and sounds great and most of all is still an ICE motor.
Clearly you never drove the Highlander it’s a much more superior car by a really long shot.
Disappointing that GH only gained 1 MPG. Turbo engines have more that can break down - give me a buttery smooth V6.
This, Toyota said they did it for emissions NOT MPG. However, I feel like it was more of a "brain fart" moment and the emissions line is just an excuse. Because that V6 was the best V6 in the mid-size SUV category, refined for almost a decade and got above average MPG. The fact that this 4l Turbo only gets 1 MPG better, just proves how good the old V6 was.
You can't beat the Honda engines as I said earlier, they've got good output for the engine size and yet give you one of the best fuel economy.
Idk the Honda V6 uses cylinder deactivation which has proven to be equally as problematic across many manufacturers so pick your poison.
Couldn’t agree more. 👍🏻
@@craigfin3222They changed it to a 4cyl because it’s more efficient and produces less gases .
Another correction, that walk away after pressing the button feature in Honda. It just doesn’t wait for two second it actually connected to your key. You can press the button even if it take you longer. It waits until it detects the key going away and then it closes the trunk.
Pilot Trailsport, I’ve never had a vehicle that was so intuitive and capable. I like this vehicle more than the day I bought it.
I recently purchased a Grand Highlander XLE awd hybrid.
I love it. ❤ I do alot of highway driving and get about 28mpg highway and 30mpg city.
It's good in the snow (live in northern MI) and the inside is large enough to fit a toddler and 2 teens comfortably in the back without feeling like it's too cramped. I originally wanted a sequoia, however the seats in it can't fold flat and it was 30k more than the GH.
Wow that is a little low, our gh hybrid xle awd gets about 32.3 mpg
Of course GH works and do the job.
Enjoy it.
But the V6 Smooth Powerful Feeling is amazing (from a Pilot 2025 owner) the 19 mpg will give me 300K miles of engine life vs 150K 4cyl Turbo.
Black out edition is offered in the US and it’s offered in black
Easily the pilot. It looks better, interior is better, same space, it performs better drives better transmission is better AWD is better middle seat comes out more storage etc
How dumb is too dumb for u !!
Looked at the Grand Hylander today vs the Pilot, GH felt really cheap inside and basic.
Gh is cheaply made inside and outside.
I think you're wrong
Not same space GH much bigger
Go to dealer to check each space
Because I did
I think, overall the Pilot is better for bigger, taller people. I had a 2014 Highlander, 2017 Pilot and now on my second Pilot (2024). I also prefer Honda’s handling and engine tuning. But both options are amazing practical and comfortable family haulers. I love this format.
Pilot is the best
For me it's the 2022 toyota highlander V6, bring back that engine. The Real 3.5 liter motor ❤
Indeed. Losing the V6 was a terrible idea. Pilot is by far the better choice.
Not really, I swapped my 3.5L V6 Highlander for the Grand Highlander and its the same thing! I know the V6 is said to hold up better, but remember, this is Toyota. They don't sacrifice quality for numbers! Toyota has a big name for longevity, they aren't going to ruin years of hard work for a turbo!
Yes!
The grand highlander has a bigger 3rd row but I remember watching savagegeese where they said it’ll make the passengers more car sick. Ended up with the 2023 pilot and loving it!
Did you see the 3rd row comparison from this video ? GH 3rd row is bigger on paper but he felt more confortable in the Pilot because of it bigger head room...
@@vigninnouhinnoude2792 I actually found more comfortable too on the Pilot comparing both 3rd rows surprisingly , I’m 5’6 if that means anything.
Pilot is by far the better choice. V6 vs a complicated turbo four. Better AWD system.
You ended up with a 23 pilot because you bought it before the grand highlander came out…. The gh smokes the little pilot
My kids are fighting for the third row in my pilot :)
Sam , you’re right about the third row the Pilot feels slightly bigger and I’m 5’6 .
In the video, the GH looks wider. It looked like it had more space for a person in the middle. Is this true in your experience?
Honda all day. I’ll take a naturally aspirated motor over turbo charged, and every other review out there comments on how the Grand Highlander rides like a boat. Soft and squishy yet wallows and bogs in the corners with massive body roll.
Cyclinder deactivation is reliable? Idk there has been issues.
You are 100% correct. Drove both, bought the Pilot Elite . No body roll or “boaty wallowing”
The Pilot feels more planted and secure on the road and on curves. It takes rough asphalt and bumps-and smooths them out better. Price $55,000 out the door, total bottom line. I know this vehicle will last me many, many years.
Did you consider the standard Highlander?
I am a Toyota fan, but due to the unavailability of GH in the USA due to recals of GH and stopped production, I bought a Pilot. I love this car. The steering is so convenient that you can drive the whole day with one hand or finger. Engine and gearbox is silky smooth and also engine. But the GH engine is more responsive compared.
Thank you, thank you Sam. I love the fact this guy always presents the " facts " straightforward . Same thing applies when he performs his drag races ! ❤
I’m Honda all day long but for Toyota when they got rid of 6 cylinder they lost alot of people that was for Toyota. Honda is nice and simple 6 cylinder all motor just normal with plenty enough power for what I would use it for. Love Toyota as well but the winner here is the pilot for sure
One looks like a Lexus the other looks like an Econ box, I owned a 2014 Honda Pilot I was not happy so I went 2024 GH...2T love it
Lol 2014 to 2024? 😂 that's a big gap so not valid
@@modernsoccer1860 I know, tghe screen size in my 2014 was bigger than the 2024 .... same engine also, living in Japan for 11 years I understand the benefits of turbos, the power delivery is also different, 300 Plus Tq at 1800 RPM the GH has a very light zippy pedal feel, I looked at both, the 2024 Honda Pilot is a real let down, never considered Toypota just happened to stop by the lot. Got a GH deal car 700 miles on it saved me 3K off ordering one and I was paying cash so I didn't need financing. I test drove theh 4wd 4T gunned it on an on ramp, all 4 wheels buckled down very sporty, I was like dam this aint the Honda, the GH feels small, very zippy as for the GH Prime I heard its heavier faster, more bouncy cause same shocks and brakes as mine, more cash I dont need that power or extra maintenance
Both are great! The Pilot is the best seller in the segment.
Finally... Was looking for this comparison... Ty 😁
It really isn’t a comparison if the pilot is not”Grand”.
I’ll take the Pilot for that naturally aspirated V6 that I could dog around like a workhorse. Honda’s i-vrtm drivetrain is also excellent with snow and sharp corners. The Trailsport trim for camping and hiking trails.
But in the video, ithe pilot didn't really accelerate that much. If you really want power, you could by a hybrid max GH. Not many out there yet.
The deal breaker for me is the turbo 4-cylinder. How reliable is it compared with the naturally aspirated engine V6? That is why they are so popular because of their known reliability. Now the new turbo V4, I like to know how reliable it is in the long run.
It’s Toyota be forreal it’s not like it’s ford Toyota would not make an engine that would cost them a lot to repair
land cruiser now a days has turbos, so i think these turbos are good..... ummmmm need to decide and think before buying with turbos, so no regrets in the future if ever problem arises.
We don't know yet but I would keep my distance from them altogether.
@@bogart5131 - it's not about the turbo being good or not. It's about how long the engine can last.
@@lilpeppa117G - ???? I think you missed the point. Turbo setups have a shorter life for the engine.
will be interesting to see engine longevity..Honda NA V6 vs Toyota's 2.4T...my money is on the Honda for long term ownership. That 2.4 T is going to be working in the boost a lot of its life to move 4600lbs...
Not me, Toyota isn't going to sacrifice years of being the best for longevity over a turbo! I love my Grand, best Toyota I've owned, and I've owned A LOT!
Turbo doesn’t work as hard with hybrid set up I would think
Hybrid doubles the tech, doubles the maintenance cost, doubles the long-term headaches.
To me, the Pilot is the better choice by far. A proven V6 vs a turbo four banger. Way better AWD system. More comfortable.
The Honda Pilot Black Edition is now available in the US
18:00 Small infotainment screen
20:30 Nicer Highlander tech
25:40 3.5 only Pilot, 4600+ lbs; 56/44 weight distribution; 21 MPG combined; $53k US
28:20 Too many gears, comfortable
28:50 Different engine options; More torque; 8speed; 4600+ lbs; 54/46 weight distribution; 22 MPG combined; $54k
31:10 *GH > Pilot*
Better looks and tech, more efficient; softer and quieter.
Pilot has a much better AWD system, rugged Trailsport version, much quieter and smoother J35 NA V6, and at "about" the same price, Pilot has a much better brother called MDX, which is nicer than TX somehow, except the fuel consumption...
@@CocoaBobI disagree with the mdx being better than the tx
@@100history-j1w2022 + MDX drives nice with the 10 speed.
The type S comes with 25 speakers and ELS Studio 3D Signature audio system and 355hp. It blows the Mark Levinson audio in Lexus out of the park and is definitely faster and handled amazing in snow with Super handling all wheel drive. It's basically a rear wheel drive car while cornering and it feels like a sedan when you race it in corners.
It sounds amazing with stock exhaust. Acura seats are one of the most comfortable. Only downside would be touchscreen infotainment
Pilot because of the natural V6
Sam with all due respect, American car journalists don't care about us so don't explain yourself to them. I like the way you review cars including motormouth Zach and Andrea coz you guys always considered American consumers. Motormouth breaks down everything trim price etc. more power to your channel.
I know but I do it for the viewers.
You are suppose to kick in the middle section below the rear lift gate to open. You were kicking on the side thats why its not opening.
Whichever one you go with you cannot go wrong it just boils down to personal preference
Bingo
I agree, I went with the GH Hybrid because of fuel efficiency and size.
We own a GH and we test drove the pilot, although the pilot is more quiet at some places, it feels cheap with the interior unlike the GH. The pilot also felt less responsive with steering.
Why does he keep kicking the under carafe from the side? The sensors are in the center 🤷🏼♀️
Because he doesn't know what he's doing.
This sounds like a bit biased towards the toyota. Im not a honda guy but honda has way better handling than the gh. They almost forgot the body control on the gh.
I’m not biased towards any brand I don’t work for any brand I just say what I think and which car I like.
To accurately measure seat space/leg room, seat behind the wheel and adjust it to your most comfortable driving position and distance... move into the second row behind the drivers seat and adjust the seat to where you have enough space where you're comfortable. Then move to the third row behind the second row seat that you adjusted by using the passenger side (to prevent moving the 2nd row seat). Then seat behind the second row seat (driver's side) and make the necessary adjustment (recline) to get comfortable. Only then can you tell which car has more leg room. You moved the Grand Highlander second seat all the way back but not with the Pilot which gave you the impression that the Pilot has more legroom in the 3rd row. Remember, the Grand Highlander has 97.5 cubic feet of interior space behind the first row while the Pilot only has 87 cubic feet. The cargo volume on the Grand Highlander is 20.6 cubic feet while the Pilot has 18.6 feet which means the Grand Highlander still has 8.5 more cubic feet of space in the second and 3rd row seats (97.5 - 87 = 10.5, 10.5 - 2 = 8.5). Don't tell me the Grand Highlander has 9-10 cubic feet more space in the second row than the Pilot for the Pilot to have a more spacious third row than the Grand Highlander.
For me, I’m going to chose between the Grand Highlander and the Mazda CX 90.
check the review of xc90 by car care nut..... he said something about transmission or something...... but anyway I still love that car too, strong and very fast and interior is excellent...... but i remember, seat are too firm?.... perhaps tray it first
Check Savagegeese comparison of Grand Highlander , CX-90 and Pilot.
I would choose Grand Highlander only if if has a V6 engine
Yup. I wouldn't even be considering the pilot if grand highlander was a v6. I'm 80% leaning towards pilot. Motor motor motor
Honda looks way better in the front
Honda makes the best engine, fun to drive and yet fuel economy can't be beaten, and as the 3rd Row is more suitable for adults it's a no brainer to choose the pilot over toyota gh
I looked into both before I decided on the Grand Highlander. The Pilot has strickley a GDI engine, a timing belt and rotors are noted for overheating and warping between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. With all those know maintenance cost it pushed me to the Grand Highlander. GDI's will carbon up and need cleaning every 20,000, timing belt cost replacement between 60,000 and 80,000 miles will cost about $2000 and not sure of rotor cost replacement but I would go with a different brand than Honda and they have known about this for years on their other year Pilots. All this comes from a dealer Honda mechanic to me. Believe me I asked a lot of questions to both though the Pilot is more cost effective on initial purchase and I do believe it is a good vehicle but i also believe the Grand Highlander to be just a bit better IMHO.
Small vs turbo for rhe size of that suv and cvt. You eill have more maintenance in the gh than Pilot
@@titomartinez7185not a cvt. 8 speed auto
SG says the Honda Pilot is the best SUV for 2023 - all other opinions don't matter. :)
Who is SG?
Savage Geese… you know the YT car reviewer with zero personality
ZERO personality 😂
Honda for the win as usual. They cant be beat.
The only downside of the pilot is the button styled shifter, what would happen if you spilled a liquid on it. I'm sure something will surely go wrong with the shifter.
@@uaeelectronics I owned a 2016 pilot elite and now a 2021 passport elite. I accidentally spilled coffee on both a couple time. No problem at all. Many of the GM products are also using the push button format exactly like Honda.
This is the first video that says Pilot has more room in the 3rd row than Grand Highlander. Most of video I saw said GH has more room than Pilot. What is the correct information?
You can see it yourself - no need for numbers
Toyota/Lexus rule quality and longevity.
True, buy I'd go with the Pilot in this case. V6 and a better AWD system.
As a current Honda pilot elite owner, I agree. My car is in the shop over a week to fix the steering wheel and thread issue in the front seat. Not a good investment.
@@JackJin-i2n really? I have a 2021 Pilot Elite and so far it has been great.
@@seikocitizenwatches , lately issues have arisen regarding the Toyota quality. The most know one is having to replace 100,000 V6 engines in both Lexus and Toyota products. I’ve read there maybe issues with the latest transmissions - antidotal so far but, there has been chatter about that.
My point is Toyota is not infallible. Oh, yes Honda has issues also.
Me, I’m not a fan of turbo’s. It puts a lot of stress on the motor and I’m one who thinks long term reliability is a potential issue. Honda V6 are legendary ( so were Toyota V6’s).
I got the Honda Pilot in May 2023. It's been 10 months and I love it. I have been on long trips (1000 km) and it feels awesome. Recently, I went to check the Hybrid Grand Highlander for better fuel efficiency but didn't like it. I felt Pilot is roomier than GH. Maybe just me but I dropped the idea of buying GH.
I would say the pilot wins but its not a confident win. Its got a V6 which can tow 5k lbs. the GH can tow 3.5k but it will kill the engine life because its already a heavy beast. The pilot also has planned obsolescence with cylinder deactivation and iffy quality on components like exhaust and stuff which is why it don’t think it deserves my $50k+. Overall do like the honda styling inside an out though.
There's a device that cancels the deactivation.
The Grand Highlander with the 2.4 liter turbo and the Hybridmax can tow 5,000 lbs. Only the regular hybrid (2.5 liter) tows 3,500 lbs.
@@phongdao9239 Please give me a link to find it.
The Pilot has the better overall package over the GH. Maybe the GH gas some features over the Pilot (screen) but the Pilot ticks most of the boxes, you quickly forget about the GH bells and whistles.
The 2nd row seats slide back, that’s why it seems less roomy than the highlander. It’s very room at least the same if not more
I saw this also.
Price-wise, the 2024 Grand Highlander in the US costs 48k, while the 2024 Pilot EX-L is 44k, and those are the most popular trims. The G. Highlander is 2.4L turbo, while the Pilot is v6 3.5. The Pilot appears to be the best bang for the buck.
Honda all day!
TAIL GATE you need to kick it OPEN from the middle, not the. side. !!!
the GH 360 camera is only an option on the limited trim, not standard. So be careful when shopping
Honda beats Toyota for everything besides small screen fake exhausts, and no hybrid option.
Honda does beat Toyota for bad transmissions.
@@timlor1789 Honda’s 10 speed auto beats Toyota’s 8 speed for sure.
Honda has less space with 3 seats up, 2 seats up, and just front seats up. Honda is really dated also. Badly needs a tech refresh. The tiny Nav looks like it belongs on a 10 year old vehicle.
There might be some confusion as the GH's top trim in Canada is the Platinum as well. So comparing the GH's Platinum to the Pilot's Black Edition might be more appropriate
I go with the pilot
Thank you for covering these great vehicles. Very informative and interesting. I just wish Honda offered a hybrid offering for their Pilot.
Both of these are great vehicles that will last a long time. I’d also through in the Subaru Ascent, even though a little smaller.
Style, comfort, tech, looks, better fuel consumption thats why I bought the GH over the Pilot.
Both cars have engine issues. the all new Honda V6 has (variable-displacement) that uses the valve lifters to turn off cylinders. This is technology that GM deployed 20 years ago and hemmoraged customers. The Toyota V6 has been in a class action suit due to metal fragments in the oil. Good luck.
Toyota is full of itself now... the Honda is way better
This is a biased review. He talked about wind noise & drivers cabin in pilot, not in GH etc etc
I drove both. PILOT is a clear win. Nice drivers cabin, good command, less wind noise, way better visibility than GH, better breaking, easy to handle in sharp turns. GH is lacking in all these segments.
So i just bought PILOT ✅
This is a biased comment.
It certainly is biased.
Good luck with the Turbos, seriously doubt it’ll last 200k miles without major trouble. Toyota should’ve kept the 2gr-fks.
Lucky for me I don’t plan on keeping the car after 100k miles
Grand Highlander has the best and roomiest 3rd row out of any SUV. It even has a better and roomier 3rd row than the Lexus LX.
my mom had a last gen pilot and it gave many inconveniences, transmission failed after three years of ownership, auto start stop feature would fail to restart many times, remote start would start car then it would shut off right away, alternator went bad, also causing battery to drain, i really hope honda improved for this new model
Interesting
Was it the ZF 9 speed transmission
Hondas trannys had been bad for years and the v6 engines have problems with the timing belt ,, just that is a no no for me regardless of how many gadgets , colors amenities they put on it , hands down toyota in every way
I don't think I've ever seen someone complain about Auto/Stop/Start not working. Worst feature ever for cars!
@@planetfabulous5833 im only complaining because it fails to restart the car whenever it does activate, but it always defaults to on and we forget to disable the feature
Pilot love the look. But come on, they couldn’t put the accords interior ?
I owned turbo charged bmws then switched to 3.5 liter v6 honda odyssey
Turbo lag is always there and 4 cylinder sounds always worse than v6 howling
I know it doesnt matter for most families , but i think turbo will cost more in the future to maintain as it has more parts to break down
Mazda, CX 90 all day. The interior is gorgeous.
If you have kids, the lack of storage in the CX-90 will get real old real fast.
Toyota all day. I like the exterior of the pilot but the infotainment is lazy and dated.
If Toyota kept the V6 - maybe. With a 4 banger in the Toyota, I'd go with the Honda. Better AWD system anyway.
Hi Sam are you comparing the fuel efficiency for Honda pilot with Toyota grand highlander no hybrid or hybrid version?
the GH camera can show you whats under the car!
The Pilot and GH are big vehicle for most reviewers, but they look like crossovers when you stand next to them Sam. Lol. Very nice review Sam. I always watch your reviews. Maybe drag race the midsize 3rows next? Thanks!
Definitely
how does the new Santa Fe 2024 compare to these cars, it will be interesting to see a comparison by someone who actually drove these three
Hyundai is worse car gd ingine wears after 10000 k
Tiny Korean made cheap box.
FYI - the Black Edition Pilot is now available in US for MY 2025
What are folks thoughts on the cylinder deactivation on Honda? Reason I hesitate on purchasing one.
Thank you. Very nice review. I have Honda Pilot 2023 Touring. I would say it is very zippy in sports mode but beside that yes I do feel the lack of zippyness even though it’s very powerful if you push it. One thing I definitely wish they would have is the larger screen. I have it touring and it does not give me the 360 view. I wish they would have it in touring as well. My biggest beef with them is the larger screen beside that I love it.
The black edition is offered in the US, I own one
Now yes
I think 3rd row is mainly for the little ones. Kids and such and how often do you really use the 3rd row?
Sam, could you please drag race GH and Pilot ?
Yep
100% Grand Highlander for me
There’s massive months long waitlist for the grand Highlander. Dealers charging markup due to demand. No waitlist for the Pilot.
That right there tells you which one is more desirable.
It's annoying having buttons in the front center next to the cup holders etc... It means it will get ditty and buttons get grimy and stuck. My current vehicle has buttons in the middle and i accidentally hit it with my keys, items, spills, etc...
Which vehicle is less likely to be stolen in the Greater Toronto Area? We do not live in the GTA, but spent 1 night in Mississauga and our 2021 Highlander was stolen from the hotel parking lot. Didn't like the city before, like it less now!
Why does Toyota seem to have trouble designing interior spaces. Everything feels cramped and unnecessarily claustrophobic. Same is true of the sienna vs Odyssey.
Your music mix is WAAAAAAY too loud compared to your dialogue mix casuing the viewer to jump when the music cuts in. Please master your audio with better balance.
Honda pilot❤
I wonder, is the Honda Pilot the Black Edition? I may have missed it in the video.
Yes
The Honda has the better engine
Was your mpg ratings what your testing observed or what the manufacturers claimed?
My testing
@@SamCarLegion Thanks for the reply! I am glad to hear that.
Toyota highlander all day!!❤
Highlander was not reviewed. Just the Pilot and Grand Highlander.
I'd take the Honda solely based on the fact that Honda has not yet caved and put a turbo-charged 4cyl engine in their vehicle.
Looking at the pilot touring and trailsport. I want the trailsport but makes more sense to get touring I don’t go off roading I just like the trailsport look inside and out but think the touring makes more sense for me
I had the same dilemma. I end up buying touring. It made more sense to me.
I was in the exact dilemma as well. We needed to upgrade our accord touring to prepare for a new baby. We loved that trim. We drove both and loved both. The trailsport seemed to have a bit more ride comfort with the bigger tires. And my wife will be the primary driver so we went with the trailsport. The tires are offset beyond the wheel so she won’t be able to curb the wheels which was a plus. We don’t do any off-roading but the ruggedness and durability ultimately made our decision. It was the piece of mind knowing my family was wrapped up in a solid vehicle.
@@lukeporter62god bless your family
Man lot of honda pilot fans here. Ive driven 3 generations of the honda pilot but decided to go with the grand highlander hybrid max plat. If you are talking about gas only then yes id go with the pilot. But the top trim GH with 362 bhp and 400 lb ft torque will smoke the pilot and pretty much most suv in its segment any day, while getting better fuel economy. 0 to 60 is 5.9 sec for the GH while the pilot gets there 6.9. For all u with a pilot, drag race anyone?
Sure.
Who is trying to race? My wife is just using this to get the kids to school.
My Grand Wagoneer Series III, with the Hurricane high output 6 cylinder will smoke all of them. 510 hp in a huge vehicle, still gets 19-20 mpg.
I've owned my pilot black addition for a little while i enjoy it greatly us driver it is very drivable