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Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota Grand Highlander

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

Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Toyota Grand Highlander

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Toyota Grand Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,050 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Grand Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Grand Highlander has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 38).

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 Grand Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 201 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,464 lb (4dr SUV).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
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
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
23 city
City / highway MPG (best)
37 city
$2,900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,850

Performance & space

278 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
5
Seats (most)
–
194.9 in
Length
201.2 in
78 in
Width
78.3 in
73.2 in
Height
70.1 in
4,870 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,464 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
11
2
Recalls (2026)
4
38
Recalls, all years since 2005
7
7
Owner complaints (latest year)
46

Interest

25,095
Wikipedia views, 30 days
5,779

Buying used

2024
Best used year
–
2015
Year to avoid
–

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

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 Grand Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 66% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 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.

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