Toyota Highlander vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Highlander: 25 comparisons against 15 rivals across the 2025–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
15 rivals · verdicts at default weightsJeep Grand CherokeeHighlander leads 2–0
Ford ExplorerHighlander leads 2–0
Kia TellurideHighlander leads 1–0
Honda PilotHighlander leads 2–0
Mazda CX-90Highlander leads 2–0
Nissan PathfinderHighlander leads 2–0
Chevrolet TraverseHighlander leads 1–0
Chevrolet TahoeHighlander leads 2–0
Chevrolet SuburbanHighlander leads 2–0
Kia EV9EV9 leads 2–0
Ford ExpeditionHighlander leads 1–0
Jeep WagoneerWagoneer leads 2–0
Dodge DurangoHighlander leads 1–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Highlander wins and loses
25 scored head-to-headsThe Highlander leads on safety in 25 of 25, fuel & range in 19 of 25; it trails on performance in 11 of 11, space & cargo in 7 of 9. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Highlander scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Highlander leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel & range | 19 of 25 | 6 | 0 |
| Safety | 25 of 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 2 of 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Performance | 0 of 11 | 11 | 0 |
Common questions about the Toyota Highlander head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Toyota Highlander or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 93.4 to 64.6, on safety, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Toyota Highlander or the Ford Explorer?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 100 to 63.1, on safety, fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Ford Explorer). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Toyota Highlander or the Kia Telluride?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 94.2 to 71.9, on fuel & range, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Toyota Highlander or the Hyundai Palisade?
Too close to call: Toyota Highlander 91.3 vs Hyundai Palisade 90.7 with these weights. The Hyundai Palisade is ahead on performance and space & cargo. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 2.2 and it flips. Too close to call at default weights: the 2026 Toyota Highlander is nominally ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Toyota Highlander or the Honda Pilot?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 91.4 to 84, on fuel & range, safety. The Honda Pilot is ahead on performance and space & cargo. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4.4 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Toyota Highlander win and lose against its rivals?
The Highlander leads on safety in 25 of 25, fuel & range in 19 of 25; it trails on performance in 11 of 11, space & cargo in 7 of 9. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.