2021 Toyota Highlander vs. Its Competition

2021 Toyota Highlander XSE
Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

The Highlander competes against a roster of three-row family crossovers that have our attention and our accolades.

The Telluride and Pilot are both Best Car To Buy winners and are spacious and comfortable—the Kia looks great, too.

The Explorer was updated last year, like the Highlander, and offers a hybrid powertrain and more room.

The Traverse is due for a rethink soon, but current versions are roomy if not a little boring.

Ditto for the Atlas, which is comfortable and quiet but very conservative.

2021 Toyota Highlander XSE2021 Toyota Highlander
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 Kia Telluride - Best Car To Buy 20202020 Kia Telluride
Browse Used Listings		2020 Volkswagen Atlas2020 Volkswagen Atlas
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.2
The 2021 Toyota Highlander learned new tricks to keep us entertained on the road, when we’re not asleep in the back anyway.
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.
7.5
There’s substance to the 2020 Kia Telluride’s style.
5.8
Space comes before pace with the roomy 2020 Volkswagen Atlas.
MSRP From     
$35,085$29,800$32,765$31,650$31,890$31,545
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 / 26 MPG Hwy16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded V-6Gas V6Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded V-6Regular Unleaded V-6Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Small SUV 2WDSport Utility VehiclesStandard SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WD
Style Name     
L FWD (GS)FWD 4-Door LBase RWDLX 2WDLX FWD2.0T S FWD
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
887885
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/ODAutomatic w/ODAutomatic w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Chevrolet Traverse2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Ford Explorer2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Honda Pilot2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Kia Telluride2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Volkswagen Atlas