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2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Honda Pilot

Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.

Quick read
  • Best highway MPG goes to the 2021 Toyota Highlander at 28 MPG.
Vehicle comparison: EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety, recalls
 
Car 1
2021 Toyota Highlander
Car 2
2021 Honda Pilot

Engine & efficiency

Cylinders66
Displacement3.5L3.5L
DriveFront-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel typeRegular GasolineRegular Gasoline

EPA fuel economy

City MPG2020
Highway MPG2827
Combined MPG2323
Annual fuel cost (EPA)$2950$2950
CO2 tailpipe389g/mi388g/mi

NHTSA safety ratings

Overall5/ 55/ 5
Frontal crash4/ 54/ 5
Side crash5/ 55/ 5
Rollover4/ 54/ 5
Stability controlStandardStandard

Recalls, complaints, investigations

Recalls (NHTSA)49
Complaints filed441388
Open investigations01
2021 Toyota Highlander recalls
  1. STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
  2. AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
  3. TIRES
    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
  4. + 1 more on file at NHTSA.
2021 Honda Pilot recalls
  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
  2. BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
  3. TIRES
    American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.
  4. + 6 more on file at NHTSA.

Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.

Real listings, four marketplaces

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Real listings, four marketplaces

Shop real 2021 Honda Pilot listings

These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.

Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.

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