Toyota Highlander vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Highlander: 27 comparisons against 17 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
17 rivals · verdicts at default weightsJeep Grand CherokeeHighlander leads 2–0
Ford ExplorerHighlander leads 1–0
Kia TellurideTelluride leads 1–0
Hyundai PalisadePalisade leads 1–0
Honda PilotPilot leads 1–0
Mazda CX-90level 1–1
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
Tesla Model Xlevel 1–1
Volvo XC90Highlander 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
27 scored head-to-headsThe Highlander leads on safety in 26 of 27, fuel & range in 20 of 27, space & cargo in 10 of 18; it trails on performance in 17 of 21, price in 7 of 13. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 6 of 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 20 of 27 | 7 | 0 |
| Safety | 26 of 27 | 1 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 10 of 18 | 6 | 2 |
| Performance | 4 of 21 | 17 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 10 of 19 | 9 | 0 |
| Warranty | 0 of 9 | 1 | 8 |
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, 98.9 to 52.9, on tech & comfort, safety, fuel & range. 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, 97.4 to 81.1, on fuel & range, safety, tech & comfort. 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 Kia Telluride wins clearly, 93.1 to 86.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on fuel & range and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride 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?
The Hyundai Palisade edges it, 94.8 to 90.4, on tech & comfort, price, space & cargo. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on safety and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Palisade comes out 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?
Too close to call: Honda Pilot 90.3 vs Toyota Highlander 88.4 with these weights. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on fuel & range and safety. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips. Too close to call at default weights: the 2026 Honda Pilot is nominally 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 26 of 27, fuel & range in 20 of 27, space & cargo in 10 of 18; it trails on performance in 17 of 21, price in 7 of 13. 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.