2026–27 Toyota Grand Highlander vs Toyota Sequoia: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Grand Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($42,260 vs $69,900) and better fuel economy (36 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Sequoia if you want the most power (437 hp vs 362 hp).
Scorecard: Grand Highlander 3.5 pts · Sequoia 2 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Grand Highlander | 2027 Sequoia | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $42,260 | $69,900 | Grand Highlander |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 55% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 36 mpg | 22 mpg | Grand Highlander |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 362 hp | 437 hp | Sequoia |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 9,120 lb | Sequoia |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 20.6 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | — | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 0.9% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 0 | No data |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 2 | Grand Highlander |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Grand Highlander — 36 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Grand Highlander — $42,260 vs $69,900 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the Sequoia — 9,120 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Grand Highlander starts at $42,260 and tops out at $60,175; the Sequoia runs $69,900 to $87,900 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Grand Highlander buyers paid a median 0.9% off MSRP across 29 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 2% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Grand Highlander: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Sequoia: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Grand Highlander | 2027 Sequoia | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $42,260 | $69,900 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $60,175 | $87,900 |
| Horsepower | 245–362 hp | 437 hp |
| Max torque | 400 lb-ft | 583 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 22–36 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 20–22 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 9,120 lb |
| Max payload | — | 1,555 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 8 | — / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 20.6 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Grand Highlander yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Sequoia lists for a median $47,990 — 55% of today's median new price of $87,274.
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More on the Toyota Grand Highlander
More on the Toyota Sequoia
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Grand Highlander better than the Sequoia?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Grand Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($42,260 vs $69,900) and better fuel economy (36 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Sequoia if you want the most power (437 hp vs 362 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Grand Highlander or the Sequoia?
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 Grand Highlander or the Sequoia?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Grand Highlander or the Sequoia?
The Grand Highlander starts lower: $42,260 vs $69,900 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Grand Highlander or the Sequoia?
The Grand Highlander: up to 36 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Sequoia (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 Toyota Grand Highlander vs Toyota Sequoia: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-grand-highlander-vs-toyota-sequoia, updated November 8, 2026.