2026–27 Toyota Highlander vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 8–2.5 across 9 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($43,490 vs $46,270) and better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 52.7%). Choose the Highlander if fuel economy comes first (35 mpg vs 23 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Highlander 2.5 pts · 4Runner 8 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Highlander | 2027 4Runner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $46,270 | $43,490 | 4Runner |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.39 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 52.7% | 61.2% | 4Runner |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 35 mpg | 23 mpg | Highlander |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 265 hp | 326 hp | 4Runner |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 6,000 lb | 4Runner |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 16 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft | 4Runner |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | 5 | Highlander |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 1% off MSRP | 4.9% off MSRP | 4Runner |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 10 | 3 | 4Runner |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 8 | 4Runner |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Highlander — 35 mpg vs 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Highlander — 7 vs 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the 4Runner — $43,490 vs $46,270 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $27,723 for the Highlander vs $37,101 for the 4Runner.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the 4Runner — 61.2% vs 52.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the 4Runner — 6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Highlander starts at $46,270 and tops out at $55,675; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Highlander buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP across 19 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 3.5% off. Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,723 for the Highlander and $37,101 for the 4Runner (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Highlander: 0.39 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 67th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Highlander 10, 4Runner 3.
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
| 2026 Highlander | 2027 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $46,270 | $43,490 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $55,675 | $68,870 |
| Horsepower | 243–265 hp | 278–326 hp |
| Max torque | 310 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 8 | 5 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 16 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Highlander | 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 76 in | 78 in |
| Height | 68.1 in | 72.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8.1 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Highlander lists for a median $30,260 — 52.7% of today's median new price of $57,374. A 5-year-old (2021) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.
Shop both
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More on the Toyota Highlander
More on the Toyota 4Runner
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Highlander better than the 4Runner?
On our data, no — the 4Runner comes out ahead. Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 8–2.5 across 9 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($43,490 vs $46,270) and better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 52.7%). Choose the Highlander if fuel economy comes first (35 mpg vs 23 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Highlander or the 4Runner?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Highlander and 3 for the 4Runner.
Which holds its value better, the Highlander or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner: a 5-year-old example lists for 61.2% of the new price, versus 52.7% for the Highlander, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Highlander or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner starts lower: $43,490 vs $46,270 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP on the Highlander (19 deals) and 4.9% on the 4Runner (59 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Highlander or the 4Runner?
The Highlander: up to 35 mpg combined vs 23 mpg for the 4Runner (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 Highlander vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-highlander-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.