2020 Toyota Highlander vs. Its Competition

2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

The new Ford Explorer may be the Highlander’s biggest rival, especially with its optional hybrid powertrain.

The Honda Pilot is a perennial favorite for its excellent space utilization and comfortable ride.

Don’t look to the Subaru Ascent for refinement, but the automaker’s three-row crossover SUV is spacious, zippy, and well-priced.

The Chevy Traverse is costly with safety tech we consider essential, but is otherwise a strong choice.

It’s showing its age, but the Nissan Pathfinder still has a lot of virtues and it’s often discounted.

2020 Toyota Highlander XLE2020 Toyota Highlander
Browse Used Listings		2020 Chevrolet Traverse2020 Chevrolet Traverse
Browse Used Listings		2020 Ford Explorer ST - First Drive - Portland OR, June 20192020 Ford Explorer
Browse Used Listings		2020 Honda Pilot2020 Honda Pilot
Browse Used Listings		2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV Rock Creek Edition2020 Nissan Pathfinder
Browse Used Listings		2020 Subaru Ascent2020 Subaru Ascent
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.2
The 2020 Toyota Highlander puts practicality above all else, but handling and styling make worthwhile cameos.
5.8
The 2020 Chevy Traverse is a three-row family mainstay with plentiful interior space.
7.0
The 2020 Ford Explorer rediscovers its capable, outdoorsy side without becoming trucklike in any other respect.
6.3
The 2020 Honda Pilot is a three-row family crossover at the top of its class.
6.2
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder three-row crossover steers into the middle lane among rivals with just-enough for most families.
6.8
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is nearly as rational a family hauler as a minivan.
MSRP From     
$34,600$29,800$32,765$31,650$31,980$31,995
Gas Mileage     
20 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy20 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded V-6Gas V6Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded V-6Regular Unleaded V-6Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4
EPA Class     
Small SUV 2WDSport Utility VehiclesStandard SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDStandard SUV 4WD
Style Name     
L FWD (GS)FWD 4-Door LBase RWDLX 2WDFWD S8-Passenger
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
887878
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
Sport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilitySport Utility
Transmission     
Automatic w/ODAutomaticAutomatic w/ODAutomatic w/ODCVT w/ODCVT w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Chevrolet Traverse2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Ford Explorer2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Honda Pilot2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Nissan Pathfinder2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Subaru Ascent