When it comes to finding the best quality family SUV with three rows, you're not just looking for space and practicality, but also top safety ratings, advanced technology, and drivability that works for both city commuting and weekend adventures. In this guide, we'll explore two leading options, the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander, delving into their key features, performance, and family-friendliness.
First, let's address the elephant in the room: size. Both the Pilot and Highlander offer spacious interiors with generous cargo space, but the Highlander has the edge with more legroom in the third row and a larger cargo area behind the third row. However, the Pilot's Magic Slide second-row seats offer more flexibility and easier access to the third row.
The Honda Pilot: A Jack of All Trades
The Honda Pilot has long been a favorite among families for its balanced blend of capability, comfort, and affordability.
Versatile Interior and Cargo Space
Despite being slightly smaller than the Highlander, the Pilot offers a comfortable and versatile interior. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allow for easy access to the third row or extra cargo space when needed. The Pilot also boasts a low cargo floor, making loading and unloading a breeze.
With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offers up to 109.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than enough for any family's hauling needs.
Advanced Safety and Technology
The Pilot comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance features that includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and more. It also offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
For those seeking a more premium experience, the Pilot's top trims offer features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and wireless phone charging.
The Toyota Highlander: Luxury and Comfort Redefined
The Highlander offers a more upscale interior and a refined ride compared to the Pilot, making it an excellent choice for families who prioritize comfort and luxury.
Spacious and Premium Interior
The Highlander's interior is not only spacious but also elegant, with soft-touch materials and available quilted leather seats. The second row offers captain's chairs (availability varies by trim), which can make entry to the third row easier, and there's more legroom in the third row.
With all seats folded, the Highlander offers up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for large family vacations or home improvement projects.
Safety and Technology for the Modern Family
The Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a suite of active safety features that includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, and dynamic radar cruise control.
For technology enthusiasts, the Highlander offers an available 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a head-up display, along with wireless charging and integrated user profiles.
When it comes to choosing the best quality family SUV with three rows, both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are excellent choices. Ultimately, the best fit depends on your specific needs, whether that's the Pilot's versatility and affordability or the Highlander's luxury and comfort. Test drive both to experience the difference firsthand and make an informed decision that's right for your family.