DecodedCarsToyota Highlander vs Toyota Land Cruiser
2026 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Toyota Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $1,650 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Land Cruiser has had fewer recall campaigns (18 vs 47).
The two cars
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).
The 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,038 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 Highlander and the 2020 Land Cruiser have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 Highlander and the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
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
Choose the Toyota Land Cruiser if…
- You put reliability history first (18 vs 47 recalls since 2005)
Pros & cons of each
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.
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser
- 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.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Full 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →