2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Honda Pilot had undergone a complete redesign, presenting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look bigger but also contributed to its actual increase in size. The fourth-generation Pilot was 8.6 centimetres longer, up to 3.8 cm wider, and 2 cm taller than its predecessor. These changes complemented the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which gained legitimate off-road parts such as a 2.5 cm taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior took a more conventional styling route, remaining attractive and functional, with materials quality meeting elevated class standards. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada, emphasizing function over form without sacrificing attraction.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to an earlier era, having last been redesigned for the 2010 model year. Despite a few refreshes, it retained a boxy shape that was appropriate for an all-terrain vehicle. The flared fenders gave it a brawny stance, while the TRD Pro model's underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires added a serious attitude. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen contributed to its outdated look. The interior had hard plastic surfaces, but cushioned panels and grained seat upholstery provided some comfort. The 4Runner's design leaned heavily into nostalgia, similar to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, but lacked modern touches.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and featured Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system as standard in Canada. The Pilot offered quick initial acceleration and adequate power, with a soft brake pedal suitable for a family SUV. It cornered well for a three-row SUV, with noticeable body roll but no alarming rebounds. The Pilot was tuned for comfort, with feather-light steering that was great for tight spaces but felt vague on the highway. The TrailSport model increased ground clearance by 2.5 cm and added all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort. The Pilot had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs).

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with a need to floor the pedal for highway merging. Its soft suspension was great for off-roading but resulted in rear-end squat and a noisy engine on acceleration. The TRD Pro's exhaust was loud, and the 4Runner experienced nosedive under hard braking. On-road handling suffered with body roll and residual bounces, though larger road imperfections were easily ignored. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs).

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional compared to other new Honda vehicles, featuring a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level Sport trim had a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Pilot offered logical placement of climate and drive mode controls, a large rubberized shelf for phones, and a wireless charging pad. Clever storage features included a stowable second-row centre seat, providing a centre pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row was less inviting. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 3,219 litres available behind the front seats.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design looked old, but its layout was easy to use. It featured large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road stability. The 4Runner provided plenty of space for larger passengers, though headroom was limited in the second row. The third row was available on select trims. The 4Runner offered various storage options, including cupholders, a large armrest bin, and deep door pockets. Cargo capacity was up to 2,540 litres with the rear seats stowed. The 4Runner lacked remote seat releases and a powered liftgate but featured a sliding glass rear window and party speakers inside the hatch.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim level offered a larger touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger. The Touring trim added USB ports in every row, a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was functional with quick responses and a logical layout. Other features included Honda's CabinTalk and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise obscured the music. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-roading.

The 2023 Honda Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with standard Honda Sensing safety features across all trims. These included forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera systems. The Pilot's safety features functioned well, with no false alarms experienced during testing.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in newer tests. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, with a surround-view camera system on higher trims. Some alerts were oversensitive, but system sensitivities could be adjusted.