Price
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander was completely redesigned for 2020, so it might seem surprising that it has the lower price. The base trim starts at $34,600, while the 4Runner beings at $36,120. When you step up to the top trim of each vehicle, the Highlander is still more affordable. The top-trim Highlander starts at $46,850 while the top trim 4Runner TRD is $49,760.
Reliability
Winner: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner received an above average predicted reliability rating. The Highlander was just a little behind, with a predicted reliability rating that’s average among other vehicles.
Both models come with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner has more space in the second row, especially when it comes to headroom. The rear seats also recline, giving passengers more ways to get comfortable. The front seats are supportive enough for long drives, and there’s plenty of headroom in particular there too. A third row of seating is available, but it's pretty cramped and best left to kids.
The Highlander comes standard with three rows of seating, with an optional bench seat in the second row to increase capacity from seven to eight passengers. Taller passengers might feel that the ceiling is a little low in the first and second rows, and the third row is a tight fit even for kids. Both the 4Runner and the Highlander offer heated and ventilated front seats, but the Highlander also offers a heated second row.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander and 4Runner are both midsize SUVs and have a similar overall footprint, but the cargo spaces are configured differently. The Highlander has 48.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats, while the 4Runner has 47.2 cubic feet without the third row. But if you fold down the second row of seats, the 4Runner has 90 cubic feet of total cargo space, while the Highlander has 84.3 cubic feet with the second row folded.
In the end, we decided to hand this narrow victory to the Highlander, since most families will use the second row of seats for people rather than folding them down for cargo space. The Highlander als has an available hands-free power liftgate with height adjustment. Cargo space is a personal preference, though, so if you know you haul more gear than passengers, the more boxy 4Runner may be the better choice.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander was totally redesigned this year, and the interior upgrades are quite nice, including the use of soft plastics. The design is modern, and the fit and finish is excellent. Cloth seats are standard, and SofTex synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery are available
The 4Runner, in contrast, hasn’t been redesigned in years, and it shows. The design seems outdated and even boring, and hard plastics are used throughout the cabin. As with the Highlander, cloth upholstery is standard, with synthetic and genuine leather options available.
Interior Features
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The 4Runner and the Highlander share the same 8-inch touch screen, and both have Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Highlander wins this category for the features that set it apart, like a standard Wi-Fi hotspot and five USB ports. A 12.3-inch screen and wireless charging are available. The Highlander also has Driver Easy Speak, which sends the driver’s voice through a microphone to the speakers in the back of the SUV.
The 4Runner’s infotainment system is the same as the Highlander’s, but it offers fewer upgrades. Drivers who prefer buttons and knobs for things like volume and climate controls will find them in the 4Runner.
Acceleration
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is the peppier of the two midsize SUVs, with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed transmission that shifts smoothly. Others in the class may accelerate more quickly, but the Highlander performs well enough for most situations.
The 4Runner, on the other hand, has a 4.0-liter V6 that only makes 270 horsepower. It’s paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, which is a rarity in a world of seven- and eight-speed autos. That’s enough power for passing, but it’s not as quick as most of its rivals.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander’s more modern powertrain also delivers more modern fuel economy estimates, with 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. These are slightly above average numbers for a midsize SUV.
The old-school engine in the 4Runner also turns in old-school gas mileage. Its EPA estimates are 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, which are among the worst in the class.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander provides a comfortable and gentle ride. It’s easy to drive and has plenty of stopping power, though it’s not as athletic as some rivals.
The 4Runner continues to cling to its retro ways with body-on-frame construction that gives it a harsh, truck-like ride. It leans while cornering, and the steering can wander a bit on the highway, requiring constant small adjustments.
Off-Roading
Winner: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner is the clear winner when it comes to leaving the pavement. There are two TRD trims that add off-road features like four-wheel drive, a locking rear differential, crawl control, upgraded shocks and springs, and a front skid plate.
Though all-wheel drive is available for the Highlander, this SUV is far more comfortable on highways than it is far from civilization. It can take on some light off-roading, such as dirt roads leading to campsites and trailheads.
Safety
Winner: 2020 Toyota Highlander
It’s hard to beat a perfect score, which the Highlander has. It received the highest marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all tests, including front crash prevention. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assistance features is standard, including cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. A few other safety features are also available, such as rear cross traffic alert.
This year, the 4Runner has Safety Sense P as standard equipment for the first time. While it’s not quite as full-featured as Safety Sense 2.0, it does come with popular tech such as adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and emergency braking.
The Winner Is …
2020 Toyota Highlander
The 2020 Toyota Highlander is the clear winner in this contest. Its recent redesign keeps it feeling fresh, and the technology is up to date. It ticks the boxes most shoppers have on their list, with a lower price, more horsepower, an excellent safety score, and very good gas mileage. The redesign also added more cargo space and technology to keep active families happy.
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner did get a few upgrades this year, including safety technology and an improved infotainment system with a larger screen. But it's long overdue for a complete overhaul, which is evident in its outdated styling, low fuel economy estimates, and old-school powertrain. The 4Runner is only the clear choice if off-roading is a way of life, as the available TRD models are very capable of leaving the pavement.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
The Highlander and the 4Runner are in a very competitive category, so you might want to check our full midsize SUV rankings to see how they compare to others. If your budget is flexible, you can check out the luxury midsize SUV rankings too.
While you’re shopping, be sure to scan our best car deals each month to see if there’s an offer in your area. If leasing is more up your alley, take a look at our best lease offerings.
When you’re ready for your new car, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the best prices near you. Whether you’re buying or leasing, shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new vehicle.
2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Toyota Highlander: Head to Head
- Price: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Reliability: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
- Seat Comfort: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
- Cargo Space: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Interior Quality: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Interior Features: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Acceleration: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Fuel Economy: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Ride and Handling: 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Off-roading: 2020 Toyota 4Runner
- Safety: 2020 Toyota Highlander
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Toyota’s Midsize SUVs Duke It Out in Our Comparison
It’s common when comparison shopping to find yourself in a particular pickle: one brand has two vehicles in the same class. The 2020 Toyota Highlander and Toyota 4Runner are both midsize SUVs. Both models have been around for a while and have their fans. But even at first glance, they look very different. Surely they must have other differences too?
We compared them head to head in nearly a dozen categories to see which was the better midsize SUV. We looked at everything from price and horsepower to seat comfort and infotainment systems and declared a winner in each matchup.
We update our scores as new information becomes available, so the scores mentioned in this slideshow might not match the full reviews exactly.
Only one of these Toyota SUVs can be the winner, so let’s see which comes out on top.