Families comparing the 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Highlander often want an SUV that feels planted on I-29, makes daily loading simple, and has the right technology to keep everyone relaxed and connected. The Pilot leans into real-world versatility with available Google built-in on a 12.3-inch touch-screen, a stowable 2nd-row center seat on key trims, and confidence-enhancing features like the available i-VTM4® all-wheel-drive system and TrailWatch™. Highlander brings a strong mix of comfort, Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, and available amenities like a panoramic moonroof and Head-Up Display. But for drivers who value usable third-row space, smart cargo solutions, and off-pavement poise, the Pilot stands out. At Vern Eide Honda, we see how these touches matter for life in Sioux Falls, SD—think quick school drop-offs, weekend ball games, and a spontaneous detour to Great Bear or the Big Sioux River Recreation Area. Across capability, cabin flexibility, and technology usability, the Pilot makes everyday driving feel easier and adventures more attainable, which is why our team confidently recommends it when you’re cross-shopping these two popular three-row SUVs.
| Feature | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Google built-in infotainment | Yes | No |
| TrailWatch™ off-road camera system | Yes | No |
| Steel skid plates (factory-equipped) | Yes | No |
| Stowable 2nd-row center seat | Yes | No |
| CabinTalk® in-car PA system | Yes | No |
| Panoramic moonroof | Yes | Yes |
| Head-Up Display | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-free access power tailgate | Yes | Yes |
| 7-Mode drive system (incl. Trail and Sand) | Yes | No |
| 5,000-lb towing capacity | Yes | Yes |
The Pilot’s stance communicates strength: a bold mesh grille, confident body lines, and available 20-inch alloy wheels set a capable tone before you even climb in. TrailSport adds trail-focused cues like all-terrain tires, nearly an inch of additional ground clearance, steel skid plates, integrated recovery points, and an integrated Class III trailer hitch. That hardware is more than aesthetic—it makes the SUV ready for gravel detours out toward the Missouri or a rutted trail to a hidden campsite. Highlander’s design is refined and modern, with available black 20-inch wheels on XSE and upscale details on Limited and Platinum, but the Pilot’s exterior options more directly serve utility-minded owners who venture beyond pavement. For drivers from Rapid City and Aberdeen making regular treks on open highways and occasional gravel, the Pilot’s rugged details pair nicely with a sophisticated LED lighting signature, acoustic glass for cabin hush, and the convenience of a power tailgate across much of the lineup—hands-free access added on Touring and above. The result is a family SUV that looks ready and is ready, in town or at the trailhead.
Inside, the Pilot puts problem-solving first. On EX-L and above, the stowable 2nd-row center seat can ride in place for eight-passenger seating, move to the cargo well when you need a walk-through, or come out entirely—flexibility that makes carpool lines and gear-heavy weekends smoother. One-touch 2nd-row seats simplify access to the third row, while available Tri-Zone Climate Control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated outboard 2nd-row seats keep the cabin calm in every season. CabinTalk® lets the driver speak clearly to rear passengers, a small-but-mighty convenience on long stretches of I-90. On Touring and above, the Bose premium sound system delivers crisp audio, and the available Head-Up Display on top trims helps the driver stay informed without glancing down. Highlander counters with a well-appointed interior, available 12.3-inch displays, and a spacious layout, but the Pilot’s stowable center seat, CabinTalk, and thoughtful small-item storage elevate everyday usability. Parents juggling sports gear and backpacks will appreciate the Pilot’s hidden cargo well and hands-free access power tailgate on Touring and above, and the available panoramic moonroof brightens the entire cabin on TrailSport and higher trims.
Confidence in the upper Midwest starts with traction and chassis tuning. The Pilot’s available i-VTM4® AWD system can actively send torque not just front to rear but also side to side across the rear axle, helping the SUV rotate more naturally into a corner and stay composed on slick surfaces. That’s especially reassuring on windswept bridges and during quick lane changes. Select trims offer up to seven drive modes—Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow—so the SUV adapts to conditions rather than the other way around. TrailSport doubles down with off-road-tuned suspension, steel skid plates for the engine and fuel tank, recovery points, all-terrain tires, and Hill Descent Control that helps you creep down steep grades with steadier control. Highlander offers capable AWD systems, including Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD and Multi-Terrain Select on AWD models, which help in variable conditions. Still, the Pilot’s combination of i-VTM4®, 7-Mode Drive System, and available underbody protection gives it a meaningful advantage where paved roads end or when snow piles up in neighborhood cul-de-sacs. For daily life in Sioux Falls, SD, that blend of control and adaptability can turn stressful commutes into calm ones.
Beneath the hood, the Pilot’s 285-hp V-6 pairs with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic and provides confident passing power and a composed feel at highway speeds. The transmission’s shift-by-wire design and paddle shifters offer precise control on long grades, and the Tow mode helps make trailering more predictable. Properly equipped, towing up to 5,000 pounds is straightforward—perfect for a family camper or a pair of ATVs. Highlander counters with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and an available hybrid system for buyers prioritizing electrified driving. Both SUVs can be set up to tow up to 5,000 pounds, but shoppers who prize linear power delivery, refined shifts, and a broad torque curve will appreciate how the Pilot’s V-6 feels underfoot when merging onto I-29 with a full load. Drivers who often balance car seats, sports gear, and weekend toys tend to value a powertrain that behaves consistently in any weather and under any load. The Pilot’s calm, predictable character—plus the available 7-Mode Drive System—lets you tailor responses for everything from a quick school run to a Saturday tow to the lake.
Every Pilot includes the Honda Sensing® suite, which brings Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition. It’s backed by the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure to help manage crash energy in a frontal collision. TrailSport and above add a multiview camera system with TrailWatch™, which can display crisp front, side, and rear perspectives on the 12.3-inch touch-screen—especially useful for threading through tight alleys off Phillips Avenue or navigating a snowy parking lot in Sioux Falls, SD. Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor is widely included, and available rain-sensing wipers and a Head-Up Display further reduce distraction. Highlander responds with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, an available Panoramic View Monitor, and a strong roster of driver-assist technologies. Both SUVs deliver modern safety, but the Pilot’s intuitive TrailWatch, ACE™ body design, and clear communication through the digital instrument cluster and available Head-Up Display make day-to-day driving feel less demanding—particularly when conditions turn unpredictable.
Our community appreciates vehicles that slot seamlessly into busy lives. At Vern Eide Honda, we listen to how families actually use their SUVs and match them with features that truly matter—like the Pilot’s stowable 2nd-row center seat, CabinTalk®, hands-free access power tailgate, and available i-VTM4® AWD for the confidence you want on regional highways. With Google built-in available, setting a route or sending a text is simple and natural. Whether it’s a weekday carpool, a weekend at Falls Park, or a quick dash to a youth tournament, the Pilot’s flexibility is the difference you feel every day.
If you’re choosing between these two three-row SUVs, we recommend test-driving the Pilot first to feel how its thoughtful features simplify life in Sioux Falls, SD.
When you compare the 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Highlander side by side, both check the right boxes for families wanting three rows, abundant tech, and modern safety. The difference is how the Pilot’s details play out in everyday life: the stowable 2nd-row center seat that transforms the layout in seconds; available Google built-in that makes voice commands and navigation feel second nature; TrailWatch™ and i-VTM4® AWD that calm tough weather and gravel drives; and a quiet, refined ride that eases long days on I-90. Highlander remains a solid contender, particularly for shoppers focused on Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ and available premium amenities. But for drivers who want an SUV engineered around daily usability and weekend versatility, our team believes the Pilot has the edge. Visit us at Vern Eide Honda to see how these features come together and take a closer look at cargo solutions, third-row access, and the technology you’ll use every day. It’s the kind of hands-on experience that makes choosing your next family SUV straightforward and rewarding—and it starts with a Pilot that’s prepared for life in Sioux Falls, SD.
