In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Honda Pilot has not been tested.
Both the Grand Highlander and Pilot have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pilot’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the Grand Highlander and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Honda Pilot:
| |
Grand Highlander |
Pilot |
| |
Driver |
|
| STARS |
4 Stars |
4 Stars |
| HIC |
218 |
382 |
| Neck Compression |
12 lbs. |
101 lbs. |
| |
Passenger |
|
| STARS |
4 Stars |
4 Stars |
| HIC |
356 |
440 |
| Neck Injury Risk |
33% |
33.6% |
| Neck Stress |
199 lbs. |
232 lbs. |
| Neck Compression |
60 lbs. |
98 lbs. |
| Leg Forces (l/r) |
384/277 lbs. |
396/388 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Grand Highlander is safer than the Pilot:
| |
Grand Highlander |
Pilot |
| Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| |
Driver Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Chest Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Thigh/hip Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Leg/foot Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Leg Forces L/R |
337/584 pounds |
540/674 pounds |
| Restraints |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| |
Rear Passenger Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Chest Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Thigh Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Restraints |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Honda Pilot:
| |
Grand Highlander |
Pilot |
| |
Front Seat |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
42 |
53 |
| Chest Movement |
.3 inches |
.6 inches |
| Hip Force |
199 lbs. |
276 lbs. |
| |
Rear Seat |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
63 |
100 |
| Hip Force |
55 lbs. |
540 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

