2026–27 Lexus TX vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,270 vs $57,340) and better fuel economy (35 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the TX if you want the most power (366 hp vs 265 hp).
Scorecard: TX 2 pts · Highlander 4.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 TX | 2026 Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $57,340 | $46,270 | Highlander |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.39 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 52.7% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | Highlander |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 366 hp | 265 hp | TX |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 20.2 cu ft | 16 cu ft | TX |
| Standard seats (1) | 6 | 7 | Highlander |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 1% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 10 | No data |
| Weighted points | 2 | 4.5 | Highlander |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Highlander — 35 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Highlander — 7 vs 6 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Highlander — $46,270 vs $57,340 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — TX 5,000 lb vs Highlander 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The TX starts at $57,340 and tops out at $74,010; the Highlander runs $46,270 to $55,675 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Highlander buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP across 19 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 3.5% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- TX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Highlander: 0.39 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 67th percentile among the SUVs we track).
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Highlander 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 TX | 2026 Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $57,340 | $46,270 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $74,010 | $55,675 |
| Horsepower | 275–366 hp | 243–265 hp |
| Max torque | 406 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 23–27 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 6 / 7 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 20.2 cu ft | 16 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| TX | Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 203.1 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 78.3 in | 76 in |
| Height | 70.1 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | — | 8 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the TX yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Highlander lists for a median $30,260 — 52.7% of today's median new price of $57,374.
Shop both
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More on the Lexus TX
More on the Toyota Highlander
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the TX better than the Highlander?
On our data, no — the Highlander comes out ahead. Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,270 vs $57,340) and better fuel economy (35 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the TX if you want the most power (366 hp vs 265 hp).
Which is more reliable, the TX or the Highlander?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the TX or the Highlander?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the TX or the Highlander?
The Highlander starts lower: $46,270 vs $57,340 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the TX or the Highlander?
The Highlander: up to 35 mpg combined vs 27 mpg for the TX (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Lexus TX vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-tx-vs-toyota-highlander, updated November 8, 2026.