Highlander Hybrid vs. Pilot
 

We're in the market for a 7+ passenger vehicle, and the 2008 models of these two are at the top of the list. Any experiences or input? Feedback on other competing models also welcome. Thanks!

I think the Pilot is a bit bigger. Both are new models and both look very nice, but pricey. Neither are really big enough to carry 7 passengers and gear behind the third row, but both are big enough to carry 7 people not too uncomfortably. Most people like the looks of the Toyota a little better. A competing model is the Mazda CX-9 that is a bit bigger yet, and has gotten the pick of a few best of lists. The Pilot got the top pick of most of those lists for the past several years.

Reliability wise....the Pilot is hard to beat.

Do not plan on towing anything with a pilot.
When I bought one for the wife I found out that you can't put a trailer hitch on it without voiding the warranty, uless you install an upgraded transmission cooler and power steering cooler. Even after all that it is only rated at 3200 pounds or something wimpy like that.

Also, don't ever use a pilot to lauch a boat or waverunner. I guess they didn't think that sealing up the rear differential was a big deal so if it gets partially submerged, water gets inside it and destroys it. $2500 (covered under warranty after a whole lot of arguing).

The rear differential takes a special synthetic fluid that is only available from the dealer and costs $25 a gallon, and has to be changed every 15,000 miles according to the manufacturer.
When it came time to do the brakes I couldn't find replacement pads anywhere except at the dealer, $160 for enough very small brake pads for all 4 corners. For a toyota they would have cost less than half that.
The driver's side door lock failed at around 60k, cost $600 to replace that one. Ouch.
Oh, one other thing. It eats tires faster than it should.

The pilot is a fine vehicle, almost as well made as a toyota IMO. Having said that I won't buy another Honda.
The pilot is over-priced for what we got and it didn't live up the honda hype as far as quality or reliability.

From now on it's all toyotas for me. Can't go wrong with them.

Both are good bets. Haven't driven the Highlander, but I did test drive a Pilot. It drove like a minivan, because...........underneath it's the same as the Odyssey. Adequate power, ok ride, no steering feel, no character, no fun. But, for family duty it's hard to beat either one.

I bought a 4x4 Tacoma back in November, and talking with the salesman I asked him what the big sellers were. He said the Camry (Real Estate agents trading in their MB's and BMWs) and the hybrid Highlander. The glitch was, the Highlander was going for $10k over sticker.

Sammy, thanks for the information because that is exactly what I was planning to use whatever SUV/truck I end up with.

Hybrid Tahoe, if you plan on pulling anything.

That's what I was thinking. Last I checked, they'd only sold about 900 of them, so maybe they're ready to start dealing. Of course it is a $50K vehichle.

Yeah, I get a corp discount through GM, but it is expensive.

I love my 2001 Tahoe, but am holding out for the small displacement desiel (sp?) coming out in the 2009-2010 time frame.

Bill

That's my current plan. A couple months ago I was thinking of buying a new truck since my 2001 Silverado is getting a little long in the tooth. Then I thought I'd what until the end of 2008 for a Hybrid Silverado. Now I'm thinking I don't need a truck everyday so I could get a 996 as a daily driver and wait until 2010 for the half ton diesel which should get better overall mileage than the hybrid truck.

LOL at the current rate of increase, diesel fuel will cost $20 a gallon by then ;)

We have a Lexus RX330, the Lexus badged version of the Highlander. It has been an extremely good car for us. Zero issues. In almost 5 YEARS, I have never had to make a service appointment and take it in for anything. The navigation system is fantastic. All touch screen, and very easy to use. The back up camera is pure gold. My only complaint? Every time you get in the car, you have to agree to a legal disclaimer to use the navigation. Lame!

True, but remember I'm one of those left wing liberals so I don't care what the cost is as long we're not using as much :D

Of course I'm also a hypocrite since I drive a 12 mpg 930, a 13 mpg truck and I race SmileWavy

True, but remember I'm one of those left wing liberals so I don't care what the cost is as long we're not using as much :D

Of course I'm also a hypocrite since I drive a 12 mpg 930, a 13 mpg truck and I race SmileWavy

My wife loves her 2005 Pilot. It's probably the best all around SUV we've owned and we've had plenty in a short time (Isuzu Trooper II, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, Infiniti FX45 and Nissan Xterra). It can't tow as much as the 4Runner or Xterra. It's nowhere near as fast or sporty handling as the FX45. Definitely not as cheap to buy as the Trooper or Cherokee. But, it's probably the best compromise SUV around and damn comfortable too. Now if they only made a hybrid...

How about an 04-06 Lexus GX470 with 20-30K miles for about $35K? We have an 03 with 55K miles on it and it has been amazing, aside from the transmission replacement that was covered under warranty. It seems to be an anomaly rather than the norm for this car though.

It averages 14-16mpg around town, 18-19 on the highway. The build quality is unsurpassed and the service from Lexus is great. It even seats 8. The third row is tight, but we have done 2+ hour trips and it has been manageable.

Here is an example
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNum ber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage= 0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending& certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_27_%7cB-35000%7cH-%7cD-_6869_%7cN-N%7cR-30%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cX-popular%7cZ-60510&aff=national&paId=266977450&recnum=3&leadExi sts=true

I had a Pilot and it was a great car as you would expect from honda. Pretty sporty, good MPG, lots of seats. Problem is that when the twins arrived and you add 2 car seats turned backwards in the middle seats and 2 teens in the far back that doesnt leave enough room for 6'2" me in the passenger seat. Absolutely cant fit in the drivers seat. So If your short enough it would be great. But we ended up selling it and bought a Navigator instead, tons more room :) half the MPG :(.

Weird. I'm 6'2' and i drive the pilot on trips and have no problem with being tall.
We took it to Jellystone a couple of years ago and on the way home I drove all the way from old faithful inn to Orange Ca, 1100 miles in 16 1/2 hours. Averaged 25 mpg on that trip but it usually gets around 18.