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Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota 4Runner vs 2026 Toyota Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 5Toyota Highlander wins 5 of 7 categories
Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,000 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota 4Runner has had fewer recall campaigns (38 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

Buying used? The 2024 4Runner and the 2024 Highlander have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 4Runner and the 2021 Highlander.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
23 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
$2,900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

278 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
5
Seats (most)
7
194.9 in
Length
194.9 in
78 in
Width
76 in
73.2 in
Height
68.1 in
4,870 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,123 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
14
2
Recalls (2026)
0
38
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
7
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

25,095
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,118

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2015
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You put reliability history first (38 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (35 vs 23 MPG)
  • You need more seats (7 vs 5)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →