Vehicle comparison
Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Toyota Highlander wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota Highlander costs about $1656 per year, roughly $315 less than the Honda Pilot. Over 5 years, that's about $1577 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Honda Pilot | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 19 | 22 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 25 | 29 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 21 | 25 |
| Tank / Battery | 18.5 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.164 | $0.138 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Honda Pilot | Toyota Highlander | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1314/yr · $110/mo | $1104/yr · $92/mo | $210 (Toyota Highlander) |
| 12,000 | $1971/yr · $164/mo | $1656/yr · $138/mo | $315 (Toyota Highlander) |
| 15,000 | $2464/yr · $205/mo | $2070/yr · $173/mo | $394 (Toyota Highlander) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Toyota Highlander
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Toyota HighlanderBest for road trips
Toyota Highlander
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota HighlanderBest for families
Toyota Highlander
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Toyota HighlanderBest for lowest running cost
Toyota Highlander
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Toyota HighlanderHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota Highlander costs about $1656 per year vs $1971 for the Honda Pilot — roughly $315 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander?
The Honda Pilot is rated around 21 combined MPG versus 25 MPG for the Toyota Highlander. Highway figures are 25 vs 29.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $9857 for the Honda Pilot and $8280 for the Toyota Highlander, a difference of roughly $1577.
Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Toyota Highlander wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota Highlander is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.