2022 honda elite Pilot verses 2022 Toyota Highlander platinum

[Torvy]

The thing with comparisons like this is that most people go with the anecdotal evidence rather than statistics. Here are some made up numbers to illustrate. The real data says the Highlander is more reliable by a wide margin. So, lets say 10% of the Highlanders break down and 40% of the Pilots break down. That still means that 60% of the Pilot drivers will report no significant problems. It also means that you have less than a 50% chance of yours breaking down. Once you choose it, unless yours is one that breaks down, you see the things you like and confirmation bias sets in. I sincerely hope all goes well with her purchase. My personal bias is toward the measurable data. I care very little about the appearance, or even the 'feel'.

Side note on the Sienna. We owned two over the years while our 4 kids were young. Had an original 98 we bought the day #2 was born. Both were very good vehicles. I always wanted an AWD one, but they didn't make one until after we moved to Texas and the need was moot. Like many, we didn't want a minivan, we needed one. Wife hated it even more than me and once we no longer needed one, she spent a few years driving an A6 to compensate.

 

[RSKY]

Side note on the Sienna. We owned two over the years while our 4 kids were young. Had an original 98 we bought the day #2 was born. Both were very good vehicles. I always wanted an AWD one, but they didn't make one until after we moved to Texas and the need was moot. Like many, we didn't want a minivan, we needed one. Wife hated it even more than me and once we no longer needed one, she spent a few years driving an A6 to compensate.

When we traded our last minivan in wife got a 2003 Mazda 6 Sport. She drove the snot out of that car....until 1st grand was due. Then the large SUV became a priority.

RSKY

 

[Bocephous]

I'd go with the Highlander if I was planning on keeping the vehicle long term.

 

[mike0000]

I guess you didn’t consider the 4 Wheel Drive, Toyota minivan?

I did but the wife was done with mini vans. Our two oldest children have moved out, just the youngest still at home attending college. We own a 05 Accord, wife’s daily driver which has been a great car for her. Youngest is driving our old 99 Benz E300, currently at 261k miles, great car too. I drive the 02 grand caravan currently at 161k miles and a rust bucket but very reliable. The 18 Pilot has almost 20k miles on it, until the computer, wiring and MAF issues we were sold on the Hondas. We do not buy cars often, I believe in driving them until there about ready to be recycled. I do all the maintenance and for the most part enjoy doing it.
I respect the reliability reputation that Toyotas have, I just haven’t ever owned one.

Mike

 

[s219]

We got rid of our 2019 Pilot Elite after one year. Too many problems with the infotainment system that they were unable to fix. Probably could have tried for lemon law but didn’t like the vehicle enough to care. Unfortunately the infotainment system was critical to operating various functions, so when it crapped out lots of things would stop working.

A couple years later we got all sorts of letters about class action lawsuits and then recall and warranty extension notices from Honda. They finally acknowledged the problem and were reimbursing people for repairs. Something to do with special connectors in the wiring bus for the computers (it’s all digital communication now, so if a connector is flakey things get weird).

A family down the street has had similar problems with their 2021, and I was surprised Honda hasn’t been able to fix it even after the whole debacle unfolded.

Apparently the connectors are fussy and improper install, age, and any other disturbance will loosen them up. I remember one of the fixes to our car was to use foam padding to press on the backs of the connectors and hold them in place. That worked for about 2 months…

 

[check]

We got rid of our 2019 Pilot Elite after one year. Too many problems with the infotainment system that they were unable to fix. Probably could have tried for lemon law but didn’t like the vehicle enough to care. Unfortunately the infotainment system was critical to operating various functions, so when it crapped out lots of things would stop working.

A couple years later we got all sorts of letters about class action lawsuits and then recall and warranty extension notices from Honda. They finally acknowledged the problem and were reimbursing people for repairs. Something to do with special connectors in the wiring bus for the computers (it’s all digital communication now, so if a connector is flakey things get weird).

A family down the street has had similar problems with their 2021, and I was surprised Honda hasn’t been able to fix it even after the whole debacle unfolded.

Apparently the connectors are fussy and improper install, age, and any other disturbance will loosen them up. I remember one of the fixes to our car was to use foam padding to press on the backs of the connectors and hold them in place. That worked for about 2 months…

Wow, s219, that is a real shock about the newer Honda pilot. It is a good thing that we bought the 2021 4runner instead of the pilot!

 

[kenmac]

Not sure if this applies to honda or not. I found this when I was looking at a new toyota

 

[Torvy]

Interesting video. I've watched some of his stuff before. A couple of notes...

he is just talking about doing oil changes at 5k miles instead of 10k. I had a new 2013 Camry Hybrid that my son still owns and drives daily. The maintenance indicator comes on at 5k anyway. Most people use that or the little tag from the oil change place to decide when to get oil changed. Wife has a 2020 Prius and it is the same. Ditto our 2006 Matrix. Same on our older Sienas we used to have. You tubers get money from views and scaring people is the best way to get them to watch.

The other important point is that it is due to emissions regulations, so, to the extent that it is true that going long times/miles is harmful to your engine, that applies to all makes and models, not just Toyota.

The Dirty Truth About How Often You Need Your Oil Changed

Think you need to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles? Think again.

auto.howstuffworks.com

 

[kenmac]

Toyota specs 1qt. of oil consumption every 1000 miles is normal due to lose fitting oil rings, As he discusses
You can find this info on many toyota forums

 

[Torvy]

Toyota specs 1qt. of oil consumption every 1000 miles is normal due to lose fitting oil rings, As he discusses
You can find this info on many toyota forums

Probably a serious case of confirmation bias. I just ran a quick search and found similar complaints on most major nameplates, Honda, vw, audi, Ford, GM...etc.