
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.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2021 Toyota Highlander learned new tricks to keep us entertained on the road, when we’re not asleep in the back anyway. |
The 2020 Chevy Traverse is a three-row family mainstay with plentiful interior space. |
The 2020 Ford Explorer rediscovers its capable, outdoorsy side without becoming trucklike in any other respect. |
The 2020 Honda Pilot is a three-row family crossover at the top of its class. |
There’s substance to the 2020 Kia Telluride’s style. |
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 Hwy | 17 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas V6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Small SUV 2WD | Sport Utility Vehicles | Standard SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD |
Style Name | |||||
L FWD (GS) | FWD 4-Door L | Base RWD | LX 2WD | LX FWD | 2.0T S FWD |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Chevrolet Traverse | 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Ford Explorer | 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Honda Pilot | 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Kia Telluride | 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Volkswagen Atlas |