This prompt is a sample of how we can use AI to build a list of information to compare different cars with very specific requirements. This sample was generated using ChatGPT. Each AI engine will give slightly different results in a slightly different format. I have found for research like this that ChatGPT is pretty consistent and reliable with it’s answers. Keep in mind that everything the AI generates is a “trust but verify” situation. The information is mostly correct but sometimes context is missing or misapplied. Important information that a human may intuitively see, the AI doesn’t see at all. So AI is a starting point and a very good one but just a starting point. And a very fast one. This kind of information used to take days to dig out and with an AI, it can take under an hour with carefully crafted prompts.
I’m looking for a new car. My priorities are reliability, fuel economy, safety, performance, cargo space. I drive approximately 10000 miles per year. I do not have a daily commute is and I have a family of 4 adults. I do road trips to national parks twice a year in all seasons. I visit inlaws 100 miles away once or twice a month. My budget is around $45,000. Based on this, what are the top 3 vehicles I should consider in the mid-size SUV category? Consider both new and used for best value. Create a value score chart. Show safety rating chart
The answer that ChatGPT generated is below. Notice that ChatGPT will give its source when it gives the answer. Sometimes it is useful to go back to the source ChatGPT used:
Here’s a comprehensive mid-size SUV shortlist tailored to your priorities — reliability, fuel economy, safety, performance, and cargo space — with your usage (10,000 miles/year, family of 4 adults, occasional long road trips to national parks, monthly visits ~100 miles away) and ~$45,000 budget. I’ll include new and used options for best value.
Top 3 Mid-Size SUV Recommendations
1) Toyota Highlander (including Hybrid)
- Why it’s great for you: Excellent reliability, strong safety ratings, and fuel economy are standouts in the segment. Offers a comfortable ride and good cargo/passenger room for adults, making it ideal for long trips and family use. The hybrid version significantly improves fuel economy on highway trips. (Kbb.com)
- Best Value:
2) Kia Telluride
- Why it’s great for you: Widely rated as one of the best family SUVs due to cargo space, smooth performance, and safety tech. It’s a great all-around choice with a generous interior and excellent value for money. (Kbb.com)
- Best Value:
- Used 2021–2024 Telluride: Hard to beat on features and space in your price range; luxury feel with strong reliability records reported by owners.
3) Honda Pilot
- Why it’s great for you: A practical, reliable SUV that balances cargo space, safety, and ownership costs. Less fuel-efficient than Highlander Hybrid, but overall value and reliability are strong. (Kbb.com)
- Best Value:
- New 2025 or Recent Used (2021–2024): Still well-priced with solid safety and room for adults. (FinanceBuzz)
Value Score Chart (Estimated)
| SUV Model | Reliability | Fuel Economy | Safety | Performance | Cargo / Space | Value Score (out of 10) |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 9.2 |
| Toyota Highlander (Gas) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 8.7 |
| Kia Telluride | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 8.8 |
| Honda Pilot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 8.4 |
Notes:
- Reliability and safety weighted heavily because these matter most for long-term family use and resale.
- Fuel economy is higher for Highlander Hybrid, giving it a significant value bump.
- Telluride scores high in space and overall package value, especially used.
Safety Ratings Overview
2025 Mid-Size SUV Safety (IIHS & NHTSA Highlights)
From 2025 safety rating data (IIHS Top Safety Picks & NHTSA):
| SUV Model | IIHS Safety Pick/Plus | NHTSA Stars |
| Toyota Highlander | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-Star Overall (IIHS Crash Testing) |
| Kia Telluride | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-Star (varies by year) (IIHS Crash Testing) |
| Honda Pilot | Top Safety Pick | 5-Star (varies by year) (IIHS Crash Testing) |
| Ford Explorer* | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-Star (IIHS Crash Testing) |
| Mazda CX-90* | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-Star (CARFAX) |
(*Not in your top 3 but worth noting as alternatives if exploring more options.)
✔ All three top picks have high safety scores and strong crash-avoidance tech. (IIHS Crash Testing)
How to Decide Based on Your Use Case
Fuel Economy Focus (Cost Savings Over Time)
- Highlander Hybrid: Best fuel savings, great for long trips and monthly visits.
- Used Highlander Hybrid: Very good value if underbudget limits.
Cargo & Passenger Comfort
- Kia Telluride: Excellent space and interior comfort — great for road trips with gear.
- Honda Pilot: Slightly roomier cargo area than Highlander in some trims; good for adult passengers.
Best All-Around Balanced Choice
- Highlander (Hybrid or gas) edges out for overall long-term value, reliability, and safety combined.
Used vs New Value Tips
- Used 2021–2024 Telluride or Pilot: You’ll find well-equipped examples around $30k–$42k with good warranties and features.
- Certified Pre-Owned Highlander: Good combination of warranty peace of mind and lower cost.
- New Highlander Hybrid: If you can find a deal near or just above $45k, the fuel savings over years can offset initial cost.
If you want, I can narrow these down by exact cargo volume/MPG numbers or provide specific used model year deals under $45k, including typical market prices. Just ask!
I’m interested in a 2024 Pilot Trailsport.. how does that compare to your recommendations – this was my additional question based on the lat answer. ChatGPT will take the last interaction and build off that information with this new iteration.
Here’s how the 2024 Honda Pilot TrailSport stacks up against the top midsize SUV recommendations (Toyota Highlander & Kia Telluride) based on your priorities: reliability, fuel economy, safety, performance, cargo space, and value.
Overview: 2024 Honda Pilot TrailSport
🔎 Key Specs & Features
- Engine / Performance: 3.5 L V6, 285 hp / 262 lb-ft with 10-speed automatic and torque-vectoring AWD. Great torque and solid on-road performance. (Car and Driver)
- Off-Road Capability: TrailSport adds lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and rugged tuning — best for occasional trails or rough paths. (MotorTrend)
- Seating / Cargo: Seats 7 (captain’s chairs), with up to ~87 cu ft cargo behind first row — excellent for family trips. (Car and Driver)
- Towing: Up to 5,000 lbs properly equipped. (Honda Info Center)
- Standard Safety Tech: Honda Sensing® suite (adaptive cruise, lane-keep, automatic braking, etc.). TrailSport adds TrailWatch off-road camera. (AutoNation)
Fuel Economy
- EPA: ~18 MPG city / 23 MPG highway / ~20 combined (AWD). (Honda Info Center)
Real-world averages reported ~19–21 MPG typically. (Reddit)
Pricing
- New 2024 MSRP: Around $48–50 k (TrailSport) before discounts. (Kbb.com)
- Good candidate used near your ~$45 k budget.
Safety & Reliability
- IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ honors reflect strong crash protection and standard active safety tech (Pilot series). (Honda News)
- NHTSA: 5-star overall ratings (crash tests). (hondacarsofbellevue.com)
- Reliability: Historically solid, but the newest generation has limited long-term reliability data — some owner feedback highlights minor tech/equipment issues. J.D. Power owners survey rates Pilot in the 80s (good but not segment-leading). (J.D. Power)
Comparison vs. Original Top Picks
| Feature / Model | Honda Pilot TrailSport (2024) | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Kia Telluride (used/new) |
| Cargo / Interior Space | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (87 cu ft max) (Car and Driver) | ⭐⭐⭐ (84 cu ft) (Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (87 cu ft) (Alan Jay Kia) |
| Fuel Economy | ⭐⭐ (18/23 MPG) (Honda Info Center) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (hybrid ~35 MPG+) (Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray) | ⭐⭐⭐ (18/24 MPG AWD) (Alan Jay Kia) |
| Safety Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐+ (IIHS+ / NHTSA 5⭐) (hondacarsofbellevue.com) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (IIHS TSP+) (Honda News) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (IIHS TSP+) (Kbb.com) |
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐³ (solid V6 + AWD) (Car and Driver) | ⭐⭐⭐ (turbo with hybrid) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (V6 with AWD) |
| Off-Road Capability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (TrailSport hardware) (MotorTrend) | ⭐ ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (X-Line) |
| Reliability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (good but early new gen) (J.D. Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (strong Toyota reliability) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Kia improving) |
| Value @ ~$45k | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (new/used options) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (used or entry hybrid) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (used Telluride great value) |
How It Compares to Your Needs
✔ Family & Road Trips
- Excellent cabin space and cargo for gear / adults on road trips. (Car and Driver)
✔ Safety
- Equally strong safety credentials as segment leaders (Top Safety Pick+). (Honda News)
✔ Fuel Economy
- Not as efficient as hybrid rivals — TrailSport AWD numbers are modest on highway. (Honda Info Center)
✔ Performance & Terrain Versatility
- Strong V6 power and off-road capability are a big plus if you venture on gravel/dirt roads. (MotorTrend)
Value Considerations
- TrailSport trims often price higher than basic Pilot trims and other midsize SUVs. Running a used 2024 TrailSport near your budget is a smart value play.
📊 Value & Ranking Add-On (Updated Chart)
| Model | Reliability | Fuel Economy | Safety | Performance | Cargo / Space | Value | Overall Score (10) |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 9.3 |
| Kia Telluride (used) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 8.8 |
| Honda Pilot TrailSport (2024) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 8.4 |
Bottom Line
When the TrailSport Excels
✅ Best choice if you want rugged capability, solid performance, and maximum cargo/family space.
✅ Very capable for road trips on dirt/gravel roads and AWD adventures.
✅ Strong safety and family-friendly design.
Where It Falls Behind
⚠ Paltry fuel economy vs hybrids like Highlander — a notable fuel cost factor on long road trips.
⚠ Higher price vs comparable new/used SUVs until negotiated or buying used.
⚠ Early reliability data for the newest generation is still developing. (J.D. Power)
If you want, I can also provide specific used inventory and pricing near you (Santa Ana / Orange County) for the TrailSport and the other top competitors under your $45k budget.
All of this is great information but ChatGPT missed some key points that you can dig out with the proper questions. If you notice that only when I asked about the Pilot Trailsport did ChatGPT even bring up the type of engine. Until then, it was just describing the mileage that the car would potentially get. Why is this important? Because, the turbo requires much more rigorous maintenance due to the high loads and heat generated. It also has a shortened lifespan if you plan to tow with it or use it in “severe service” conditions which is basically anything over 100 degrees or heavy stop and go traffic. Again the high heat is not your or your engine’s friend. Things to consider that do not normally pop up until its much too late.
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