Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Toyota Highlander costs about $4,443 less

That's $62 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Pilot Sport$1,510/moTrue cost

Highlander XLE AWD✓ $1,448/moTrue cost

2026 Honda Pilot

Closest matching trim: Pilot Sport

Sticker (MSRP)$55,650

+$10,797→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$66,447

+ running costs→↓− $26,953 resale

True cost$1,510/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Highlander

Closest matching trim: Highlander XLE AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$51,535

+$10,183→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$61,718

+ running costs→↓− $28,198 resale

True cost$1,448/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$55,650	✓ $51,535	Highlander by $4,115
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,153	✓ $3,083	Highlander by $70
Sales tax (HST)	$7,644	✓ $7,100	Highlander by $544
Drive-away price	$66,447	✓ $61,718	Highlander by $4,729
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$18,414	✓ $16,573	Highlander by $1,841
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $14,781	$20,258	Pilot by $5,477
Maintenance (estimate)	$9,471	✓ $9,273	Highlander by $198
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$12,923	✓ $11,929	Highlander by $994
Lost return on your money	$13,555	✓ $12,643	Highlander by $912
Resale after 6 yrs	−$26,953	✓ −$28,198	Highlander by $1,245
Total
True cost	$108,730	✓ $104,287	Highlander by $4,443
True cost a month	$1,510/mo	✓ $1,448/mo	Highlander by $62
You pay each month	$1,627/mo	✓ $1,595/mo	Highlander by $32
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	8	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	8+	—
Towing, lb	5,000	5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	1,685	Not published	—
Length	5.08 m	4.95 m	—
Ground clearance	19 cm	✓ 20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	48%	✓ 55%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Pilot Sport $55,650Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $51,535Cheaper by Highlander by $4,115

Freight and fees, before tax

Pilot Sport $3,153Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $3,083Cheaper by Highlander by $70

Sales tax (HST)

Pilot Sport $7,644Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $7,100Cheaper by Highlander by $544

Drive-away price

Pilot Sport $66,447Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $61,718Cheaper by Highlander by $4,729

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Pilot Sport $18,414Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $16,573Cheaper by Highlander by $1,841

Insurance (estimate)

Pilot Sport ✓ $14,781Highlander XLE AWD $20,258Cheaper by Pilot by $5,477

Maintenance (estimate)

Pilot Sport $9,471Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $9,273Cheaper by Highlander by $198

Loan rate

Pilot Sport 6.5%Highlander XLE AWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Pilot Sport $12,923Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $11,929Cheaper by Highlander by $994

Lost return on your money

Pilot Sport $13,555Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $12,643Cheaper by Highlander by $912

Resale after 6 yrs

Pilot Sport −$26,953Highlander XLE AWD ✓ −$28,198Cheaper by Highlander by $1,245

Total

True cost

Pilot Sport $108,730Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $104,287Cheaper by Highlander by $4,443

True cost a month

Pilot Sport $1,510/moHighlander XLE AWD ✓ $1,448/moCheaper by Highlander by $62

You pay each month

Pilot Sport $1,627/moHighlander XLE AWD ✓ $1,595/moCheaper by Highlander by $32

Practical

Fuel type

Pilot Sport GasHighlander XLE AWD GasCheaper by —

Seats

Pilot Sport 8Highlander XLE AWD 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Pilot Sport 8+Highlander XLE AWD 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Pilot Sport 5,000Highlander XLE AWD 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Pilot Sport 1,685Highlander XLE AWD Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Pilot Sport 5.08 mHighlander XLE AWD 4.95 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Pilot Sport 19 cmHighlander XLE AWD ✓ 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Pilot Sport 48%Highlander XLE AWD ✓ 55%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Pilot Sport 5★Highlander XLE AWD 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Pilot typical for its type and brand, the Highlander from its own. Their stickers differ by $4,115.