2026 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Grand Highlander in Riverside, CA
2026 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
Shopping for a three-row SUV in Riverside, CA? The 2026 Honda Pilot and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander both give families flexible seating, generous cargo room, modern technology, and available all-wheel drive. The two SUVs take slightly different approaches to everyday versatility, making a side-by-side comparison helpful for drivers throughout Riverside and the Inland Empire.
The Honda Pilot brings a spacious cabin, flexible second-row seating, available TrailSport capability, and up to 113.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Toyota Grand Highlander emphasizes its roomy third row, multiple powertrain choices, and family-focused interior design. Explore the differences below, then visit Riverside Honda to experience the Pilot for yourself.
Up to 8
Pilot seating capacity
113.7 cu. ft.
Pilot maximum cargo volume
5,000 lbs.
Maximum Pilot towing capacity
3 Rows
Flexible family-focused seating
2026 Honda Pilot vs. 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander at a Glance
Both SUVs offer three-row seating and room for growing families, but their dimensions, cargo layouts, and available features create some meaningful differences.
2026 Honda Pilot
- Seats up to eight passengers
- Up to 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume
- 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row
- Available second-row center seat adds seating flexibility
- Available TrailSport configuration adds a more adventure-oriented setup
- Available all-wheel drive and multiple drive modes
- Honda Sensing standard
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
- Seats up to eight passengers
- Up to 97.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume
- 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row
- Available second-row captain's chairs or bench seating
- Three powertrain choices across the lineup
- Available front- or all-wheel drive
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard
| Category | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Maximum Cargo Volume | Up to 113.7 cu. ft. | Up to 97.5 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Behind Third Row | 18.6 cu. ft. | 20.6 cu. ft. |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Up to 5,000 lbs. | Up to 5,000 lbs. |
| Passenger Volume | Up to 158.4 cu. ft. | Designed around a spacious three-row cabin |
| Third-Row Legroom | 32.5 in. | 33.5 in. |
| Available AWD | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Safety System | Honda Sensing | Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 |
Honda Pilot: Flexible Space for Riverside Families
The 2026 Honda Pilot is designed around the needs of drivers who want a three-row SUV that can handle family transportation, road trips, weekend activities, and everyday errands. Its standard third row seats up to eight, while the available second-row configuration gives families additional flexibility when they need to carry passengers and larger items.
Cargo space is another major part of the Pilot's versatility. The Pilot provides 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 59.5 cubic feet behind the second row in applicable configurations. With the rear seating folded, maximum cargo capacity reaches as much as 113.7 cubic feet.
For Inland Empire drivers who want additional capability, available all-wheel drive and TrailSport equipment give the Pilot another dimension beyond traditional family transportation. That flexibility can make the Pilot a natural fit for everything from weekday school runs to weekend trips away from Riverside.
Toyota Grand Highlander: Room for the Whole Family
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander takes a family-oriented approach to three-row SUV design. Its third row provides 33.5 inches of legroom, while buyers can choose between second-row captain's chairs or an available bench configuration depending on the trim.
The Grand Highlander also leaves useful cargo space available with all three rows in place. Toyota lists 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, while folding the rear seats opens up as much as 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room.
Toyota also offers the Grand Highlander with gas, hybrid, and Hybrid MAX configurations, along with available all-wheel drive. That gives shoppers several ways to configure the SUV around their preferred combination of passenger space, technology, and capability.
Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Riverside Lifestyle?
The Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander both make sense for families looking beyond a traditional two-row SUV, but their strengths show up in different areas. The Pilot offers a particularly flexible cabin layout, generous maximum cargo capacity, available all-wheel drive, and seating for up to eight.
The Grand Highlander places a strong emphasis on third-row passenger room and offers multiple powertrain configurations. Its 20.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row also gives families useful room for everyday cargo while all three rows remain available.
For Riverside drivers comparing the two, it is worth considering how often you use the third row, how much cargo you normally carry, whether you need maximum seating flexibility, and which technology and interior features matter most to your household.
For Growing Families
Both SUVs provide three rows, available second-row seating configurations, and room for up to eight passengers. The Pilot's removable second-row center seat adds another layer of flexibility.
For Cargo Flexibility
The Pilot reaches up to 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, while the Grand Highlander provides up to 97.5 cubic feet with the rear seating folded.
For Daily Driving
Both models bring modern connectivity, three-row seating, driver-assistance technology, and available all-wheel drive to everyday Riverside and Inland Empire driving.
Explore the 2026 Honda Pilot in Riverside
Ready to see how the Pilot's seating, cargo flexibility, technology, and available capability work for your family? Explore current Honda inventory at Riverside Honda or schedule a visit to experience the Pilot in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can the 2026 Honda Pilot seat?
The 2026 Honda Pilot can seat up to eight passengers. Certain configurations use second-row captain's chairs and seat seven, while other configurations offer a removable second-row center seat for added flexibility.
How much cargo space does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?
The 2026 Honda Pilot provides 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, depending on configuration.
Does the 2026 Honda Pilot have all-wheel drive?
Yes. All-wheel drive is available on the 2026 Honda Pilot, giving Riverside-area drivers another option when choosing a Pilot configuration for changing road and weather conditions.
How much cargo space does the Toyota Grand Highlander have?
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offers 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 97.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Can the Toyota Grand Highlander seat eight passengers?
Yes. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander can seat up to eight passengers when equipped with the available second-row bench configuration. Seven-passenger configurations with second-row captain's chairs are also available.
Where can I compare the Honda Pilot in Riverside?
Riverside Honda provides current Honda inventory and opportunities to experience the Pilot in person. You can explore available models, review features, and arrange a test drive to compare the Pilot with other three-row SUVs.