- #8 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [tornadog]
by kharris
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Jul 18, 2009 (6:14 am)
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Replying to: tornadog (Jul 15, 2009 7:43 pm)
I bought an 09 Highlander sport in April and am pleased with it. However, I looked at and drove the 09 Pilot EXL and you definitely get more for your money with the Pilot. It has noticeably more interior room, included standard features such as roof rack cross rails, body side moldings, dual exhaust system, more sophisticated AWD system. So why didn't I get it? My small old house has a small old garage and I would have to get out and fold the side mirrors(or at least one of them) each time I went in or out. The Pilot is considerably higher and wider than the Highlander. It's also not quite as nimble and a bit more sluggish. The engine has a timing belt rather than a chain which requires an expensive replacement at specified time/mileage intervals. Still, as I said, more for your money.
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- #9 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [kharris]
by tornadog
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Jul 19, 2009 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: kharris (Jul 18, 2009 6:14 am)
after test driving both, I am inclined towards the Pilot, but does not look like I can get a good deal on the Pilots now. So I may go for the highlander if I can get a good enough deal, or even get the CX-9 which I have yet to testdrive.
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- #10 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [tornadog]
by ptf205
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Jul 19, 2009 (5:08 pm)
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Replying to: tornadog (Jul 19, 2009 10:19 am)
Just thought I'd throw my 2c in if anyone finds it helpful. My wife and I test drove the Pilot (EX-L) and the Highlander (base) today. We went in thinking we'd end up with the Pilot because it has a little extra room, but both were surprised when we came away liking the Highlander better hands down. Relative to the Highlander, we both felt the Pilot felt more like driving a truck. The Highlander handled much better. The 3rd row seat in both is too small to be used on a regular basis (in our opinion), but it's a nice feature to have if you just want to cart a bunch of people short distances once in a while. Pilot 3rd row was a bit roomier, but still not big enough to be used regularly, so we didn't think it made much difference.
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- #11 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [ptf205]
by apex1123
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Jul 26, 2009 (11:15 am)
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Replying to: ptf205 (Jul 19, 2009 5:08 pm)
We also test drove the Pilot EX-L and the Highlander Limited and my wife and I both liked the Highlander as it had better acceleration, was easier to see out of overall seemed like a better made car. The Pilot is also nice but does have many plastic parts inside like the door handles and parts of the doors. The one thing the Pilot has that we like better than then Highlander is the child LATCH in the middle seat of the second row. We have read that it the safest position to put your child and since we have a 7 month year old this is an important feature to us. Sure we could probably just use the seat belt but the LATCH makes it so much easier. Does anyone know if I can use the two inside LATCH's from the outboard seats instead? We also like the seats in the Pilot better. The highlander from what we have read also has the added advantage of having a timing chain rather than a belt which will save alot of money 4-5 years later.
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- #12 of 21
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got the pilot
by tornadog
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Jul 26, 2009 (12:13 pm)
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i finally decided to go with the Pilot. Its much more spacious than the Highlander. The Pilot to me felt like a steady vehicle, the highlander was too light and shaky on turns. I also liked the overall construction and design on the Pilot. Bought the EX Dark Cherry. The third row is also much comfortable in the Pilot, which is the biggest reason to go from the CRV.
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- #13 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [kharris]
by stephanie1612
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Jul 31, 2009 (6:44 pm)
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Replying to: kharris (Jul 18, 2009 6:14 am)
Which SUV has the timing belt rather than a chain? Had a SUV that had a chain that needed to be replaced and was over a few thousand dollars. Would rather go with the belt from now on. . . so info on between the Pilot and Highlander would help! Thanks!!
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- #14 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [stephanie1612]
by apex1123
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Jul 31, 2009 (7:45 pm)
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Replying to: stephanie1612 (Jul 31, 2009 6:44 pm)
Its my understanding that the Highlander V6 has a chain and the Highlander v4 has a belt. The Pilot is suppose to have a belt. Belts need to be replaced at a certain milage amount, usually around 90K, chains are suppose to last but unfortunately your did not.
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- #15 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [apex1123]
by mdhutton
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Aug 01, 2009 (4:41 am)
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Replying to: apex1123 (Jul 31, 2009 7:45 pm)
From the FAQ section of Toyota's website, and another thread here:
Highlander Gas:
2001-2007 4 Cylinder Chain
2001-2007 V6 Belt
2008 V6 Chain
Highlander Hybrid:
2006-2008 V6 Belt
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- #16 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [stephanie1612]
by kharris
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Aug 01, 2009 (6:10 am)
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Replying to: stephanie1612 (Jul 31, 2009 6:44 pm)
As you have seen from the replies, the Pilot has a timing belt and the Highlander has the timing chain. Long term data has shown that timing chains have a much longer service life than timing belts, and that chains rarely fail(despite your experience). I am personally familiar with several cars that had their timing belts break but have never personally known of a timing chain that broke. Also, a broken timing belt only causes expensive engine damage in what is called an interference type engine(which is what the Honda V6 is). A non-interference engine does not get this kind of damage if its timing belt should break.
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- #17 of 21
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Re: Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander [kharris]
by wwest
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Aug 02, 2009 (9:07 am)
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Replying to: kharris (Aug 01, 2009 6:10 am)
Timing chains don't break, they just get loose enough due to wear that they become extremely noisy. And if that is not corrected they often jump a tooth and now you MUST pay attention.
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