Toyota Highlander vs Toyota RAV4
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Toyota RAV4
Overview
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | XLE | LE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | hybrid |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45,270 | $31,900 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $7,096 | $6,695 (best) |
| Median listing price | $34,489 | $34,323 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $55,748 | $48,616 (best) |
| For sale now | 46 | 145 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG | 44 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 21 MPG | 48 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 28 MPG | 42 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal (best) | 15 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 265 hp (best) | 226 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | 172 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 7 seats (best) | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 84.3 cu ft (best) | — |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lbs (best) | 1,750 lbs |
| Payload | 1,225 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 4,376 lbs | 3,640 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (best) | 106 in |
| Length | 194.9 in (best) | 181 in |
| Width | 76 in (best) | 73 in |
| Height | 68.1 in (best) | 67 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Toyota HighlanderXLE | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
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 Highlander | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | XLE $45,270 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LE $31,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | XLE $47,020 MSRP | LE AWD $33,300 MSRP |
| 3 | XSE $47,340 MSRP | SE $34,700 MSRP |
| 4 | Limited $49,725 MSRP | SE AWD $36,100 MSRP |
| 5 | Limited $51,475 MSRP | XLE $36,100 MSRP |
| 6 | Platinum $52,925 MSRP | XLE AWD $37,500 MSRP |
| 7 | Platinum $54,675 MSRP | Woodland $39,900 MSRP |
| 8 | — | XSE $41,300 MSRP |
| 9 | — | SE $41,500 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Limited $43,300 MSRP |
| 11 | — | Woodland $45,300 MSRP |
| 12 | — | XSE $47,200 MSRP |
| 13 | — | GR Sport $48,500 MSRP |
Live inventory
Toyota Highlander46 for sale
See all
Used2017 Toyota Highlander
Limited
WHITE$18,870145,951 miBig O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Used2024 Toyota Highlander
Platinum
Pearl•black$52,03025,029 miMcCarthy Toyota of Sedalia
Sedalia, MO
Used2022 Toyota Highlander
Limited
Gold•Beige$35,20449,758 miRivard Royall GMC
Memphis, TN
Used2017 Toyota Highlander
4d SUV FWD Limited
silver•black$18,977134,755 miZia Auto Wholesalers
Albuquerque, NM
Used2021 Toyota Highlander
XLE
blueprint•black$32,53858,834 miKeffer Mazda
Huntersville, NC
Certified2023 Toyota Highlander
LE
Midnight Black Metallic•Black$32,90020,543 miPlaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Toyota RAV4145 for sale
See all
Certified2025 Toyota RAV4
XLE
Ruby Flare Pearl•Black$35,0004,969 miPlaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2022 Toyota RAV4
XLE
White•Black$25,99889,212 miClassic Toyota Wilkesboro
North Wilkesboro, NC
New2026 Toyota RAV4
SE
Black/Blue Fabric$39,686N/AToyota of Katy
Katy, TX
Used2020 Toyota RAV4
Limited
Gray•gray$20,499104,319 miFindlay Kia Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Certified2025 Toyota RAV4
Hybrid Limited
Ruby Flare Pearl•Ash$42,29348,077 miAndy Mohr Toyota
Avon, IN
Used2017 Toyota RAV4
4d SUV FWD XLE
red•grey$18,28884,256 miZia Auto Wholesalers
Albuquerque, NM
Toyota Highlander vs Toyota RAV4 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 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 Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts lower at $31,900. Live Toyota Highlander listings start at $7,096. Live Toyota RAV4 listings start at $6,695.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (31,900).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (44).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on horsepower in this comparison (324).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota Highlander leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Toyota Highlander or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota Highlander leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Toyota Highlander (5/5 NHTSA overall).