The top of the Toyota SUV range is the Highlander and 4Runner, two versatile models that fit different lifestyles and tastes. Knowing what really sets them apart—from brawny capability to family-friendly features—is critical for wise decision-making.
The Toyota Highlander vs. the Toyota 4Runner two usually heads the debate list among Toyota enthusiasts looking for SUVs. Loaded with expansive histories, each model has positive notes, depending on your purpose. Let’s dive into what sets these SUVs apart and which might fit more seamlessly into your life.
Quick Rundown Toyota Highlander VS 4Runner
2024 Toyota Highlander (Starting From $39,270)
The Toyota Highlander is a jack-of-all-trades SUV with familial pretenses among formidable midsize competition. It comes in many flavors to suit all tastes, including hybrid variants. For 2024, it’ll include the bigger Grand Highlander for added third-row and cargo space. Easy infotainment and a smooth ride have been its main benefits. It doesn’t shoot rockets, but the Highlander is practical.
It has standard driver-assistance technologies and optional turbocharged and hybrid powertrains to guarantee effective performance. While not the plushest in its class, higher-trim models such as Limited and Platinum add upscale touches, like leather upholstery and premium audio systems. For those buyers craving a reliable, family-focused SUV with passable fuel economy, the Toyota Highlander remains, even if a bit bland, one of the better choices within its marketplace sector.
2024 4Runner (Starting From $40,705)
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner will be a poster child for old-school, truck-frame-based ruggedness in an increasingly front-drive and car-based SUV world. This body style has remained unchanged recently, but off-road enthusiasts know it’s more than up to the task.
Under the hood is a burly 4.0-liter V6, and TRD variants add a locking rear differential and all-terrain tires for when the adventure gets adventurous. Though its powertrain and infotainment tech will appear outdated next to newer competition, it still delivers on traditional SUV durability and capability, supplemented by mainstreamed safety features and a die-hard fan base.
Moving Into The Depth
Whether you opt for the Highlander, with its mix of comfort and tech features, or the luxury and smooth ride of the 4Runner, both SUVs are reasons enough to stick to a classic, reliable car design in a market increasingly taken over by Sedans.
2024 Latest Updates: Toyota Highlander and 4Runner
Know what’s new in the 2024 Toyota Highlander and the Toyota 4Runner models, including removed features, new trim models, powertrains, color changes, special editions, and price changes. Know what’s new in these popular SUV models for the current year.
Toyota Highlander vs. 4Runner Trim Options
The Toyota Highlander vs. 4Runner can also be quite versatile. You’ll have a choice between multiple trim levels, which means many different exterior and interior color choices with various interior materials. For example, the Highlander offers six trims for their gas models and an additional five on the Highlander Hybrid. Eight kinds of 4Runner trims are available to help you find the one best suited for your lifestyle.
Highlander Trims
- Highlander L
- Highlander L.E.
- Highlander XLE
- Highlander XSE
- Highlander Limited
- Highlander Platinum
4Runner Trims
- 4Runner SR5
- 4Runner TRD Sport
- 4Runner SR5 Premium
- 4Runner TRD Off-Road
- 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
- 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition
- 4Runner Limited
- 4Runner TRD Pro
Engine, Performance and Transmission
Where engine options, performance, and transmission are concerned, the Toyota Highlander and 4Runner are very dissimilar so that you can use them for different purposes. The Highlander is a confluence of how efficiently drivable it can be, while the 4 Runner is rugged, off-road capable, and has muscle from under its hood via a burly V6. The following are comparisons of these things to help you find the SUV that matches your lifestyle and driving needs.
Fuel Economy Comparison
One consideration that might help you tilt your decision one way or the other is fuel economy. With its gas and hybrid powertrains, the Highlander offers excellent fuel economy if central to reducing your wallet’s burn from filling stations. At the same time, the ruggedness and off-road capabilities of the 4Runner come at a cost regarding fuel efficiency. Below, we break down the fuel economy figures for both SUVs to help make your decision.
Reliability Comparison: Toyota Highlander Vs 4runner
It has advantages in checking for reliability between the Toyota Highlander and Toyota 4Runner. The Highlander breaks away with a strong reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, and many say its repairs cost less than ever before.
On the other hand, regarding predicted reliability, the 4Runner has an outstanding score of 86 out of 100, indicating its longevity and continuous performance. Knowing these reliability metrics can help the buyer make a decision on which SUV to buy based on long-term ownership needs.
Toyota Highlander:
- Reliability Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
- Ranking: 7th out of 26 for midsize SUVs
- Average Annual Repair Cost: $489
- Frequency of Repairs: Fairly average
- Severity of Repairs: Fairly average
Toyota 4Runner:
- Predicted Reliability Score: 86 out of 100
- J.D. Power Rating Categories: Great (81-90)
- Average Repair Cost: $514
- Ranking: 3rd position as an Upper Midsize SUV of 2024
- Frequency of Repairs: Information not specified in the provided content
- Severity of Repairs: Information not specified in the provided content
Seating and Storage Specs
Comparing the two requires an understanding of their seating and storage capacities. The Highlander is a very flexible vehicle, from seats that can accommodate families to additional cargo space. The 4Runner has a heavy build and a rugged interior layout, with options to increase cargo organization and storage solutions for adventurous lifestyles. Below, we break down both SUVs’ seating configurations and cargo spaces so that you can determine which one is best for you.
Technological Aspects
Check the technological features of the Toyota Highlander and Toyota 4Runner. This comparison should offer great insight into the judgment regarding the infotainment system, connectivity, and other digital features of the two SUVs being considered.
Detailed Comparison—Toyota Highlander 2024 vs. Toyota 4Runner 2024
Toyota Highlander:
- Le, XLE: 8.0-inch screen for infotainment; top XLE trim gets a 12.3-inch screen standard on the Limited/Platinum
- Limited/Platinum: 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster; remains 7-inch on all other trims with analog gauges
- Audio systems: Base 6-speaker system; available 11-speaker JBL system on XSE, standard on Limited and Platinum
- Connectivity: SiriusXM satellite radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration
- Wireless Charging: Available on all trims starting with the XLE
- Nav: Available on XSE, standard on Limited and Platinum
Toyota 4Runner:
- Base 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Physical buttons and rotary knobs for volume and tuning
- Connectivity: Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM trial subscription, subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot
- Audio systems: Available 15-speaker JBL system
- Navigation: Available upgrade
These SUVs have different strengths in this battle between the 2024 Toyota Highlander and 4Runner. One of the shining efforts of the Highlanders is the versatile trim options available for the vehicle. They can accommodate up to eight passengers, with captain’s chairs available for added comfort and padded upholstery, and advanced infotainment systems to refine the interior further, ensuring family comfort and fuel efficiency, particularly in hybrid variants vital to everyday productivity.
In contrast, the 4Runner does its part with this rugged, off-road DNA by a commodity that endures a powerful V6, respectable towing capacity, and an interior quite spartan yet durable for that fun-filled adventure. Sure, its tech feels decidedly last-gen compared to the Highlander, but it counters with legitimate off-road prowess and quite the devoted fan base among enthusiasts.
Ultimately, their choice must be based on their lifestyle and preferences. If you want comfort, modern amenities, and fuel efficiency, look no further than the Highlander. For those wanting rugged capability, durability, and a taste of that old-school SUV feel, the 4Runner will be their trusty companion, both on- and off-road.
