re: Thoughts on Honda Pilot, Toyota 4 Runner, and Toyota Highlander

Just recently shopped these. The 4Runner isn't really comparable to the other two. It's a different beast. It's worth driving, but they're basically only comparable based on size. For most of recent memory, the Highlander takes more than its fair share of awards in the mid-size suv category. It's a nice, smooth ride. It's base interior is fine. The top-of-the line stuff is very nice. Get behind the wheel of it and the pilot, and you'll notice that they drive like cars. Then hop in a 4Runner, and you'll notice that you're, in essence, inside of a small/midsized truck with a cabbed in, carpet-lined bed. You'll get much better mileage out of the other two. If your goal isn't frequent towing and off-paved-road driving, the 4Runner is a lot of wasted capability costing you a fair amount of fuel economy (all of which, to plenty of people, is a totally acceptable thing- there's nothing wrong with it). The 4-cylinder Highlander gets fairly decent fuel economy without sacrificing any amount of power that you'd really need for daily driving/commuting. I didn't really drive the Pilot, but you should expect it to drive more like the highlander and less like the 4Runner.