Compare the2023 Toyota SequoiaVS 2023 Honda Pilot

The Sequoia has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Pilot doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Sequoia and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 935 to 1879 pounds more than the Honda Pilot. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 16 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Sequoia’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Pilot’s camshafts. If the Pilot’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 152 more horsepower (437 vs. 285) and 321 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the Sequoia’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Pilot doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sequoia has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pilot (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sequoia’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pilot are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger standard tires than the Pilot (265/70R18 vs. 255/50R20). The Sequoia TRD Pro’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (285/65R18 vs. 265/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sequoia Capstone has standard 22-inch wheels. The Pilot’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Toyota Sequoia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Honda Pilot only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Sequoia offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Pilot’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Sequoia Platinum/Capstone has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Pilot doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the Pilot (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Pilot.

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pilot (8.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sequoia TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the Pilot TrailSport (9.1 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Sequoia has .2 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear hip room, .1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.2 inches more third row legroom, 6.3 inches more third row hip room and 3.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the Pilot.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Pilot doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Pilot’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pilot’s (9120 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Sequoia is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pilot. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Pilot does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Sequoia’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite.

The Sequoia Limited/TRD Pro/Platinum/Capstone has standard front air conditioned seats and the Sequoia Platinum/Capstone also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pilot doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.