Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota Highlander
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Toyota Highlander
Overview
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SR5 | XLE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $41,570 (best) | $45,270 |
| Lowest listing price | $12,980 | $9,287 (best) |
| Median listing price | $47,216 | $32,056 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $73,156 | $57,780 (best) |
| For sale now | 156 (best) | 98 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG | 24 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 21 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 26 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 19 gal (best) | 17.9 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 278 hp (best) | 265 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft (best) | 310 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L | 2.4 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 90.2 cu ft (best) | 84.3 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 6,000 lbs (best) | 5,000 lbs |
| Payload | — | 1,225 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,455 lbs | 4,376 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (best) | 8 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 112.2 in |
| Length | 194.9 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 78 in (best) | 76 in |
| Height | 72.6 in (best) | 68.1 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 3 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Toyota 4Runner | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SR5 $41,570 MSRP(Currently comparing) | XLE $45,270 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SR5 $43,570 MSRP | XLE $47,020 MSRP |
| 3 | TRD Sport $48,050 MSRP | XSE $47,340 MSRP |
| 4 | TRD Sport $50,050 MSRP | Limited $49,725 MSRP |
| 5 | TRD Off-Road $49,990 MSRP | Limited $51,475 MSRP |
| 6 | TRD Off-Road $52,790 MSRP | Platinum $52,925 MSRP |
| 7 | TRD Sport Premium $53,410 MSRP | Platinum $54,675 MSRP |
| 8 | TRD Sport Premium $55,410 MSRP | — |
| 9 | TRD Off-Road Premium $55,770 MSRP | — |
| 10 | TRD Off-Road Premium $58,570 MSRP | — |
| 11 | Limited $56,200 MSRP | — |
| 12 | Limited $58,200 MSRP | — |
| 13 | Limited $61,000 MSRP | — |
| 14 | Platinum $63,660 MSRP | — |
| 15 | Trailhunter $67,700 MSRP | — |
| 16 | TRD Pro $67,900 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Toyota 4Runner156 for sale
See all
Used2019 Toyota 4Runner
Limited Nightshade
Magnetic Gray Metallic•Black Graphite89,480 mi$34,444Tampa Bay Motorcars
Tampa, FL
Used2021 Toyota 4Runner
SR5
Barcelona Red Metallic•Black/Graphite92,775 mi$31,444Tampa Bay Motorcars
Tampa, FL
Used2025 Toyota 4Runner
Hybrid TRD Off Road Premium
Black16,252 mi$53,995Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Used2025 Toyota 4Runner
Limited
Black11,178 mi$56,050Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2025 Toyota 4Runner
TRD Sport Premium
Gray•black22,071 mi$52,933BMW of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2016 Toyota 4Runner
SR5
Super White•Graphite147,389 mi$25,797Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Toyota Highlander98 for sale
See all
Used2018 Toyota Highlander
XLE
Celestial Silver Metallic•Black84,578 mi$22,543Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
Used2012 Toyota Highlander
Sport Utility 4D
gray•Gray168,034 mi$11,441Inline Motors
Marysville, WA
Used2021 Toyota Highlander
Limited
Blueprint•graphite80,232 mi$29,590Southgate Honda
Southgate, MI
- Used
2017 Toyota Highlander
XLE
Predawn Gray Mica•Black125,759 mi$19,888Matt Bowers Chevrolet Slidell
Slidell, LA
Used2021 Toyota Highlander
XSE
Blue•black117,317 mi$24,998Kendall Hyundai
Miami, FL
Used2024 Toyota Highlander
Platinum
Midnight Black Metallic94,840 mi$41,871Corwin Honda Kalispell
Kalispell, MT
Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota Highlander FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Toyota 4Runner vs 2026 Toyota Highlander on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner starts lower at $41,570. Live Toyota 4Runner listings start at $12,980. Live Toyota Highlander listings start at $9,287.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota 4Runner leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (41,570).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota Highlander leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota 4Runner leads on horsepower in this comparison (326).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota Highlander leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Toyota 4Runner or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota 4Runner leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (6,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Toyota 4Runner vs 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Toyota 4Runner (4/5 NHTSA overall); Toyota Highlander (5/5 NHTSA overall).