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Toyota Grand Highlander vs Toyota Land Cruiser

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

Toyota Grand Highlander

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 4Toyota Land Cruiser wins 4 of 7 categories
Toyota Land Cruiser

2026 Toyota Land Cruiser

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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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 $1,700 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Grand Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Grand Highlander has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 18).

The two cars

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).

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.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

36 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
37 city
City / highway MPG (best)
22 city
$1,850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,550

Performance & space

265 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
201.2 in
Length
196.5 in
78.3 in
Width
78 in
70.1 in
Height
76 in
4,464 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,038 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
12
4
Recalls (2026)
1
7
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
46
Owner complaints (latest year)
8

Interest

5,779
Wikipedia views, 30 days
61,214

Buying used

–
Best used year
2020
–
Year to avoid
2024

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Land Cruiser if…

  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

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.

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