In the beginning, there was nothing, then came steam, gasoline, diesel, forced induction, hybridization, hydrogen, full electrification, and so on. Every step felt like a massive leap in human ingenuity. While the EV hype was strong for a few years, automakers have rolled it back as consumers discovered the lack of infrastructure, severe depreciation, and costs associated with replacing expensive batteries. That said, hybrids are the way to many consumers’ hearts.
Toyota seems to have figured that out – models like the Camry and Sienna are only available with hybrid powertrains now. However, Honda is falling behind. Only a few Honda models have optional hybrid systems, while four more models are all-gasoline, leaving buyers wandering toward the Toyota dealership across the street.
All specs have been pulled directly from the manufacturers. Prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, taxes, incentives, and other potential dealer fees. Automakers reserve the right to change prices at any time without notice.
Honda’s Three-Row Family SUV Still Runs A 30-Year-Old Engine While Toyota Goes Hybrid
2026 Honda Pilot front 3/4 angle in white while parkedJared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet
Honda buyers are left with gas-only powertrains in three segments, including three-row midsize SUVs, midsize trucks, and minivans. Since hybrids already account for nearly 30% of Honda’s overall sales, and over 50% of CR-V sales, we can’t help but feel as though the brand is missing out on what buyers obviously desire in other models. The Pilot three-row family SUV is among those models that lack electrification. It starts at $42,395 for the base trim with front-wheel drive, and ends at $55,195 before options for the Black Edition.
Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. At its most efficient, the FWD Sport and EX-L trim levels manage to reach 19/27/22 MPG city/highway/combined, according to the EPA. Almost all other trims equipped with all-wheel drive return 19/25/21 MPG, except for the Trailsport off-road model with its all-terrain tires, which is capable of reaching 18/23/20 MPG.
This won’t be the last time you’ll hear of the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6, nor is it the first. In fact, Honda has used variants of its 3.5L V6 for decades. The J-Series engine family began 30 years ago in 1996 with the J30 (a 3.0-liter V6) in the Acura 3.0 CL. The 3.5L, known as the J35 internally, has been around since the 1999 Odyssey. Needless to say, it’s starting to feel old, and Honda might be overdue for a hybrid trim level or two in the Pilot.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid Gets 36 MPG — Nearly Double the Pilot’s Best
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Front 3/4 angle in gray while parkedToyota
Toyota currently offers 15 hybrids, 2 PHEVs, and 3 BEVs across nearly every segment. Any hybrid-curious buyer would gravitate toward the brand, since it has virtually everything one could need. That said, buyers looking for a hybrid Honda Pilot might be swayed by the Toyota Grand Highlander. This three-row model is a direct rival to the Pilot, yet it comes with optional hybrid trims that start with the Hybrid LE at $45,610 and end with the Hybrid Max Platinum at $60,175 before destination and options.
Buyers can choose between two hybrid powertrains. The first of which is a 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder hybrid that manages to reach an estimated 36/34/36 MPG in FWD configurations, while AWD models can get 36/32/34 MPG. It makes 245 total horsepower. If that’s not enough power for you, then the Hybrid Max system adds a turbocharger to the mix for a total of 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. AWD is your only option at this point, which leads to a lower fuel economy estimate at 26/27/27 MPG.
The Pilot’s only advantage over either Grand Highlander hybrid system is its towing capacity – the Pilot can tow 5,000 lbs regardless of trim level, while the hybrid Toyota option can pull 3,500 lbs. The Grand Highlander’s gas variant matches the Pilot, though.
No Midsize Honda SUV Is Hybridized: The Passport Included
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport front three-quarters angle in orange while parkedHonda
Honda’s only hybrid SUV is the CR-V, meaning the brand’s most off-road-capable model, the Passport, is stuck with the same gasoline engine as the Pilot. The Passport fits between the Pilot and the CR-V in terms of exterior dimensions, but it can only seat up to five people. It uses the same engine as the Pilot, it’s built on the same platform, and of course, it lacks a hybrid powertrain. The base model RTL starts at $44,950, then the TrailSport is noteworthy at $48,650, and finally, the TrailSport Blackout Elite tops its lineup at $53,850.
“…the V6 provided ample power for confident acceleration, with smooth shifts and paddle shifters for manual control if you’re so inclined. It’s not the most powerful engine, but it is responsive with plenty of oomph to get up to speed quickly. It’s not especially sporty, but it’s not underpowered either.” – Nicole Wakelin, former editor-at-large, CarBuzz
Our road tester got behind the wheel of the 2026 Passport; she explained how the engine felt “just right” for the size and weight of the vehicle. Power isn’t everything, though, since most average buyers care more about fuel economy than speed. All trims come with standard all-wheel drive, so there are no efficient FWD versions. The EPA estimates the Passport can get up to 19/25/21 MPG in RTL trims, or as low as 18/23/20 MPG in TrailSport trims.
The Highlander Hybrid Starts Within $2,000 Of The Passport – And Gets 35 MPG
2026 Toyota Highlander driving front 3/4 angle in whiteToyota
The Highlander is Toyota’s answer to smaller three-row SUVs. It’s not as spacious as the Grand Highlander, but eight people can still fit inside. Nevertheless, it’s available in seven trim levels, three of which have hybrid powertrains. At its cheapest, the gas model starts at $46,270. The least-expensive hybrid model is the Hybrid XLE at $48,020, then the Hybrid Limited costs $52,475, and the Hybrid Platinum costs at least $55,675 before options.
All three hybrid trims are powered by the same 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 hybrid system as the Grand Highlander, but the regular Highlander lacks access to the Hybrid Max turbocharged powertrain. That said, these three trims produce a familiar 245 hp. They’re only available with AWD, and get 35/35/35 MPG city/highway/combined. Also, like the Grand model we talked about earlier, the standard hybrid Highlander can tow 3,500 lbs, while the Honda Passport can tow 5,000 lbs in any trim level.
The Ridgeline Goes On Hiatus In 2026 – And Its Only Rival Offers a 326-hp Hybrid
2026 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport side angle while driving through waterHonda
Honda’s only pickup truck is the Ridgeline. Truck enthusiasts may balk at the model’s unibody construction, but it makes for a practical pickup for most people who don’t tow or drive off-road often. It comes in six trims that start with the Sport at $40,795 and end with the Black Edition Two-Tone at $47,895. All six of them are powered by – you guessed it – the same J-Series engine as the Pilot and the Passport. Its 3.5-liter V6 is tuned for 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, meaning this truck is slightly less powerful than either SUV.
Nevertheless, the Ridgeline can still tow up to 5,000 lbs in any trim level. A nine-speed automatic transmission directs power to all four wheels in every trim level, which results in estimated fuel economy of up to 18/24/21 MPG in most trims. The TrailSport trims are slightly lower at 18/23/20 MPG. All that said, the Ridgeline is about to take a hiatus while Honda works on a new model set to debut in 2029.
The Tacoma Hybrid Makes 326 hp and 465 lb-ft – The Ridgeline Isn’t In The Same League
2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro driving drifting front 3/4Toyota
Both of Toyota’s pickup trucks are serious body-on-frame models with gas and hybrid powertrain options. Directly rivaling the Ridgeline, though, is the midsize Tacoma – a well-rounded, capable, and powerful competitor. The cheapest hybrid model, the TRD Sport i-Force Max, costs at least $47,335, while the top-of-the-line TRD Pro model starts at $64,750 before destination.
All five hybrid models use the same 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 hybrid system that makes 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. They all come with standard four-wheel drive, and get up to 22/24/23 MPG city/highway/combined.
The Odyssey Hauls Eight People On An Engine From 1999 – While The Sienna Gets 36 MPG
2025 Honda Odyssey rear 3/4 angle in gray while drivingHonda
There aren’t many minivans on sale these days. People concerned about their image tend to gravitate toward large SUVs, even if they lose out on minivans’ superior passenger and cargo space. Nevertheless, Honda is stuck in its old ways, since it still hasn’t come up with a hybrid system for the Odyssey, yet.
There are four 2027 trims to choose from – they start at $43,195 for the EX-L, and range up to the Elite for $52,095. We don’t even need to say it, but we will anyway: it’s powered by the same enduring 3.5-liter V6 that makes 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. All four trims use a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This time, the EPA estimates it can get 19/28/22 MPG.
Toyota, Kia, And Chrysler All Offer Hybrid Minivans – Honda Is The Last Holdout
2026 Toyota Sienna Woodland from the rear three-quarter angleToyota
Kia, Chrysler, and Toyota all offer some form of hybrid minivan, which puts Honda at a disadvantage with regard to fuel economy. Toyota’s answer is the Sienna. Every trim for the 2026 model year has a hybrid powertrain and either FWD or AWD. At its most affordable, the LE trim costs $41,320, but the Platinum trim can get rather luxurious with its $58,710 starting price. All trims are powered by the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder hybrid system that makes 245 hp, with FWD models getting an estimated 36/36/36 MPG, and AWD trims dropping slightly to 35/36/35 MPG.
Sources: Honda, Toyota, EPA
