Three of the most capable three-row SUVs available today are going head-to-head: the 2026 Toyota Highlander, the 2026 Honda Pilot, and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. Each brings a compelling mix of power, technology, and family-friendly design. But when examined side by side across every key category, one vehicle consistently earns the edge.

Here is a closer look at how these three three-row SUVs compare, and why the 2026 Toyota Highlander is the standout choice. 

The 2026 Toyota Highlander offers buyers a rare choice between two distinct powertrains. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most capable engines in the midsize SUV segment. For buyers who prioritize efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid delivers 243 net combined horsepower with an EPA-estimated 35 MPG combined with standard all-wheel drive. The V6-powered Pilot, which offers no hybrid option, returns only 20 to 22 MPG combined. When both the Highlander Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid are compared in all-wheel-drive configuration, the Highlander Hybrid’s 35 MPG combined edges out the Santa Fe Hybrid AWD’s 34 MPG combined, giving it the efficiency advantage among AWD-equipped entries in this matchup.

Both powertrains are engineered for confident, responsive performance in everyday driving.

In a significant move for 2026, Toyota makes All-Wheel Drive standard across the entire Highlander gas lineup, ensuring that every buyer gets added traction and confidence regardless of trim. XSE, Limited, and Platinum grades gain Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for enhanced cornering and handling precision. Gas-powered Highlanders are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2026 Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. AWD Pilot models are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, while front-wheel-drive models are rated at 3,500 pounds. With no hybrid option in the lineup, the Pilot’s combined fuel economy ranges from 20 to 22 MPG depending on drivetrain — a significant gap compared to the Highlander Hybrid.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. A hybrid variant is also available with approximately 231 combined horsepower, achieving up to 36 MPG combined in front-wheel-drive form. However, the Santa Fe’s towing capacity tops out at 3,500 pounds on most trims, rising to 4,500 pounds on the XRT — both figures falling short of the Highlander gas model’s 5,000-pound rating. And when the Santa Fe Hybrid is equipped with AWD, its combined fuel economy drops to 34 MPG, placing it behind the Highlander Hybrid’s AWD-standard 35 MPG combined.

When it comes to powertrain breadth, efficiency, and capability, the 2026 Toyota Highlander delivers the most versatile package in this three-way comparison.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is purpose-built for families, offering three rows of seating and room for up to eight passengers. The cabin is well-proportioned and practical, with available heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a power liftgate. With up to 84.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, the Highlander provides ample room for gear, luggage, and everything a family hauls on a daily basis.

The 2026 Honda Pilot also seats up to eight passengers and posts an impressive 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume behind the first row. Its three-row layout is well-organized, with a practical and versatile interior that works well for larger families. The Pilot is one of the most cargo-capable vehicles in this class, and its interior execution is solid throughout. However, the Highlander’s refined styling cues and available premium interior finishes position it ahead of the Pilot in terms of overall interior sophistication.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers three-row seating for up to seven passengers in its standard configuration, with Limited and Calligraphy trims offering second-row captain’s chairs that bring total capacity to six. Maximum cargo volume comes in at 79.6 cubic feet, placing it behind both the Highlander and the Pilot in outright hauling capacity. The Santa Fe’s available Nappa leather seating and curved panoramic display give the interior a modern, upscale feel, though families that regularly need to seat eight will find the Highlander’s eighth-seat capacity an important advantage.

With its three-row layout, class-competitive cargo capacity, and available premium interior upgrades, the 2026 Highlander strikes the right balance of space and refinement for most families.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is equipped with Toyota Audio Multimedia featuring a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, with an available upgrade to a 12.3-inch display on higher trims. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity come standard, keeping drivers and passengers connected on every drive. For premium audio, available JBL® premium speakers deliver a rich listening experience throughout the cabin.

For 2026, every Honda Pilot receives a new standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with updated menus and faster response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are now standard across all trims, along with available Google built-in functionality and available 5G Wi-Fi capability. The Pilot’s 2026 technology upgrade is a meaningful step forward and makes it one of the better-equipped vehicles in this class from a connectivity standpoint. However, the available JBL audio on the Highlander remains a strong draw for buyers who value premium in-cabin sound.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe features a standout dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic display that merges a digital gauge cluster with the infotainment touchscreen in a modern, seamless presentation. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard across all trims. Audio quality ranges from a base six-speaker system up to an available premium Bose® 12-speaker system on the Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe’s technology suite is impressive, especially the available Bose audio, but the Highlander offers a proven, intuitive multimedia system backed by Toyota’s reliable software ecosystem.

Every 2026 Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies that includes:

Eight airbags are standard across the lineup, with side curtain airbags protecting all three rows. Toyota’s Star Safety System, including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, and Anti-lock Braking System, is also standard on every Highlander.

The 2026 Honda Pilot includes Honda Sensing® standard across all trims. The system includes collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, blind spot information, and rear cross traffic alert. For 2026, Honda adds Post-Collision Braking, which helps prevent secondary impacts after an initial collision. Higher trims add a 360-degree camera system for enhanced parking visibility. Honda Sensing is a well-respected safety suite, though Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ covers similar territory with the added assurance of one of the most widely deployed driver-assist systems on the road today.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe features Hyundai SmartSense standard across all trims, which includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Warning. Higher trims add available Remote Smart Parking Assist, a Surround View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. SmartSense is a capable system, and the available parking and highway features on upper trims are a genuine convenience. Still, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard on every Highlander grade, ensuring that no buyer is left without a full complement of active safety technology.

Across all three vehicles, active safety technology is a priority. But the Highlander’s standard-on-every-trim approach ensures that every buyer, at every price point, drives home with comprehensive protection.

When comparing the 2026 Toyota Highlander against the 2026 Honda Pilot and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, the Highlander emerges as the clear choice for families who want the most complete package. Its gas lineup now comes with standard all-wheel drive, its hybrid achieves 35 MPG combined with AWD — the best AWD hybrid efficiency in this matchup — its gas models are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and it seats up to eight passengers. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ comes standard on every trim, and the available JBL premium audio and 12.3-inch touchscreen make the upper grades genuinely compelling.

The 2026 Honda Pilot is a strong performer with impressive cargo volume and a newly upgraded standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe brings bold interior design and an available Bose audio system. Both are worthy options, but neither matches the Highlander’s combination of powertrain flexibility, towing capability, and long-term Toyota reliability.

For families who want a three-row SUV that delivers on every front, the 2026 Toyota Highlander is the answer. Visit Palmiero Toyota in Meadville, PA to explore the 2026 Highlander lineup and schedule your test drive today.