The XSE gets a Predator-like lower front bumper that reaches down toward the ground, which is unique to that trim level. Our two contenders are standout offerings in their respective product lineups. FOR IN-DEPTH EV NEWS & ANALYSIS TUNE IN TO OUR PLUGGED IN PODCAST, But the trade-off is that the Pilots interior is very dark. Instead, we have the sportier XSE grade with a more tightly tuned suspension, trim-exclusive 20-inch wheels, and a flashy red-accented interior, priced with fees at $50,421. Wed come back down to earth with a Highlander XLE (with or without hybrid) that includes a power liftgate, fog lights, heated front seats, a power moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and 18-inch wheels. If done right, it could be the best Highlander in the lineup. Its paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. The combo is enough to power the two-ton crossover confidently and, when properly equipped, tug up to 5,000 pounds of trailer. Both include a wireless phone charger, so theres no difference to note there, but there is more to discuss as we dig into the infotainment systems. The Pilot easily won all my cargo tests, with more depth and width behind the third row and in every other cargo configuration, plus a more useful under floor compartment.. The 2021 Toyota Highlander midsize 3-row SUV/crossover is capable of seating seven or eight, depending on whether theres a bench in the second row or a pair of captains chairs. Redesigned in 2020, the three-row Toyota Highlander seats up to eight people and provides a long list of standard features to keep the driver comfortable and the family entertained. The LED headlights equipped on Platinum trims rated Good by the IIHS, the LEDs on other Highlanders notched one rating lower at Acceptable. That still earns the Highlander a Top Safety Pick+ award. It gets an 8 on our features scale thanks to its value, good standard gear, and touchscreen. Managing Editor Jonathan Yarkony said his hands-on tests demonstrate that the Pilot is clearly the more practical choice. Add-ons like a surround-view camera system and parking sensors are available. Numbers wont tell the whole story of the 2021 Highlanders fuel-economy tale. Inside, the Highlander is better with a tiered dash that makes for good small item storage, and a sharp interior that cants controls toward the driver. The Highlander Hybrid, which we recommend, is offered in every trim except L and XSE. This would line up competitively against the Highlander Platinum from the aforementioned past comparison test. An 11-speaker JBL premium stereo is optional for $1,680. We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles using Facebook commenting. The 2021 Toyota Highlander 3-row midsize SUV is in the second year of its fourth generation. In each case, the amount of power suits the vehicle nicely. Behind the third row, the Highlander hauls up to 16 cubic feet of cargo, which expands to more than 84 cubes with the second and third rows folded. Top trims offer heated second row seats that, combined with captains chairs, means there is no road trip too long for us. Your sanctuary from the everyday. Driveability isnt the first reason to buy a Highlander, of coursespace is. The 2021 Highlander gets a 7 for performance, one each for a confident V-6 and good road manners. Applies to Highlander models when equipped with LED headlights. 2021 Honda Pilot Black Edition rear entertainment centre, 2021 Honda Pilot Black Edition2021 Honda Pilot Black Edition. The practicality of having cupholders on the door armrests cant be ignored here, either. For more than $50,000, the Platinum includes 20-inch wheels, premium audio, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, and ambient lighting. (Read more about how we rate cars. Any Highlander can chirp its tires, which is something we havent said about the Toyota family hauler for a long time. The 2021 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are on sale now. It would be easy to argue that kids these days prefer having their own devices and so a USB port is all thats really needed, but anecdotally, my daughter still gets really excited when she sees that a car has a TV in it. On powertrain, these two vehicles are very closely matched. Most Highlanders will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 295 hp and 263 pound-feet of torque. However, the screen in the Pilot is on the smaller side, and all functions are digital apart from the volume knob (although this puts the tuning selector right next to the driver, which is an upside). There are few face-offs in the automotive industry as classic as Honda versus Toyota. Top Highlander Platinums crest more than $50,000 but offer 20-inch wheels, premium audio, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, and more. Regardless of how the Highlander propels itself, it rides and steers very well thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension. The 2021 Highlander has mostly good safety scores. Thats remarkable for a seven- or eight-passenger vehicle, and its still as entertaining to drive. The outside is more athletic than the dowdier Highlanders of yesteryear, and a tall tail helps the crossover look cocked and ready to spring from the blocks. The $41,405 Toyota Highlander XSE trim is new for 2021. 2021 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. The 2021 Highlander gets a 7.0 out of 10. With the second row placed in the forgiving position, theres more room, although wed stop short of asking adults to live back there for longunless we didnt like them. Opting for the Highlander Hybrid improves fuel efficiency by magnitudes. Each employs a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6; the Pilots produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm, while the Highlanders makes 295 hp and 263 lb-ft, also peaking at 4,700 rpm. Even ignoring that this is the Black Edition and so black-on-black is to be expected, there isnt much design interest here to be spoken of and the materials arent as high in quality. We decided to go ahead with it, not only because cross-shopping never stopsespecially between these two brandsbut also because it sets things up nicely for an inevitable rematch when the new Pilot is released, likely for model year 2022. Despite its overall increases in dimensions from the previous generation, the Highlander still gets blown out of the water by the Pilot on interior space. For example, the Highlanders second-row captains chairs are not heated while the Pilots are, and the Pilot also comes with a roof-mounted rear-facing entertainment system. The sporty-looking XSE trim level joins the Highlander lineup for 2021. Adaptive cruise control is also standard on both, though Yarkony noted some differences in their operation. Every crossover seats at least seven, some will offer space for up to eight. By contrast, the Highlanders seats need to be moved with a lever on the side that those in the back cant reach on their own. Both include standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, which is becoming so common that its almost to the point of not being worth mentioning. Under the hoods of most Highlanders is a 295-horsepower V-6 that drives an 8-speed automatic and the front or all four wheels. Toyota Highlander XSE. 2021 Honda Pilot Black Edition vs 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE cargo test though the Highlanders lack of a heated steering wheel is a fair bit more surprisingit is still a $50K SUV. Throwing more money at a Highlander nets creature comforts we consider to be great, but perhaps not entirely vital. As for the front row environment, seeing ventilated front seats in the Pilot and not in the Highlander isnt surprising given the price gap, though the Highlanders lack of a heated steering wheel is a fair bit more surprisingit is still a $50K SUV. For the money and efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid LE or XLE are our picks for ease, space, and style. 2021 The Car Connection. The front seats are comfortable for a wide range of body types, although the seat bottoms could be a little too sculpted for wary knees. The real deals are available on top trims, which may not appeal to some families with younger children. Its equipped like the bunch but adds edgier bumpers that we cover above. Highlander Limited, Platinum, and new XSE get a more sophisticated system that sends up to 50 percent of its power toward the rear and can shuttle that power from side to side via a mechanical torque vectoring system thats not only slick, but also very confident. Maxed out, the second row gets more than 40 inches of leg room, which is generous for tall riders. And, with Toyota Safety Sense TM 2.5+ standard across the lineup. Our score of 6 applies to every 2021 Highlander not called the XSEif rated separately, that may do better. The combo makes 243 hp and more importantly, up to 35 mpg combined, according to the EPA. Based on that roomy interior, space for a family, good front and rear seats, and cargo capacity, it gets a 9 for comfort. With the second and third row stowed, the Highlander holds more than 84 cubic feet, which is more than many similarly sized crossovers but less than a gymnasium. As we start to dig into the nitty-gritty of features, the $8,000 difference between these two test units comes into play. Thats a 4 on our fuel-economy scale. Use for comparison purposes only. The interior is a lower grade of materials, and it has a couple of fails like the fake stitching and the rubbery-leather armrests. Highlander LE and higher adds blind-spot monitors, which help with the big crossover although outward vision is just fine. Theres scant leg room with the second row pushed all the way backjust 28 inches or so. The 2021 Highlander continues the traditions of Toyotas midsize SUV, offering an optional hybrid powertrain and three row seating. Find the best Toyota Highlander discounts and current offers. Driving By Numbers: Did Canadians buy reliable vehicles in 2020? The Pilot has a softer and more comfort-oriented tune to it with some give and a bit of roll, which is what a lot of drivers expect from a vehicle of this size. Up to eight can snuggle up inside the Highlander relatively comfortably, and the first two rows have more than 40 inches of leg room. Blind-spot information with rear cross-traffic alert is also equipped on both, though this is not standard from the base grade on the Pilot.
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