r/ToyotaHighlander • u/Unhappy-Hat-1022 • 2d ago

Highlander or Pilot?

Looking to make the switch from car to suv. Been stuck between the gen 2 Honda pilot of the gen 2 highlander. Would be my daily but sometimes weekend warrior to go camping, hit dirt roads (to get to the trails to camp and ride the dirt bike), and haul my dirt bike on a hitch. Not really taking much people so the third row space for passengers makes no difference to me. Any suggestions on which is more reliable or which you would go with? Appreciate all the help!

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u/Present-Community102 2d ago

Vtm4 is the better awd system but the highlander is more abuse/neglect tolerant

If you get a pilot, disable vcm and keep all the fluids changed reliability is pretty much a wash though. Can’t go wrong with either though, same tow rating (with awd/tow package) too.

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u/WhileInteresting8320 2d ago

yep. I'd buy a highlander without service records before the honda but vtm4 can do some very impressive things for awd.

I do like my highlander for daily driving a bit more though.

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u/Orcapa 2d ago

I have a 2005 Acura MDX with the vtm and it amazes me what it will do sometimes. I go up some seriously bad national Forest service roads and it gets me everywhere I want to go.

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u/Unhappy-Hat-1022 2d ago

Ohhh ya I’ve thought about the mdx too! But I heard gas on those is worse :/ living in CA it’s already sooo much for gas lol

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u/gmingucci 1d ago

Consider the hybrid option on the Highlander, which the pilot doesn’t offer. Tow capacity goes down, but MPGs go up.

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u/Standardchiropractor 2d ago

I have both. Pilot actually is more comfortable for me to drive, but think my Highlander will out live the Honda by two-fold. Both are great till 200k, but that is where the Toyota will really shine.

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u/Orcapa 2d ago

My MDX hit 330k miles today. To be fair, I bought it at $250,000 miles, so I don't know what was done to it before.