Toyota highlander or land cruiser: which suv dominates off-road? (exclusive comparison)
What To Know
- The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV, while the Land Cruiser is a full-size SUV.
- The Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the Land Cruiser gets an EPA-estimated 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.
- The Land Cruiser has a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, while the Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The Toyota Highlander and Land Cruiser are two of the most popular SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, powerful engine, and advanced safety features. However, there are some key differences between the two models that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
Size and Dimensions
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV, while the Land Cruiser is a full-size SUV. The Highlander is shorter and narrower than the Land Cruiser, but it has a longer wheelbase. This gives the Highlander a more spacious interior, with more legroom and headroom for passengers.
Engine and Performance
The Toyota Highlander offers a choice of two engines: a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 243 horsepower. The Land Cruiser comes standard with a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower.
The Highlander’s V6 engine is more fuel-efficient than the Land Cruiser‘s V8, but it is also less powerful. The Land Cruiser’s V8 engine provides more power and torque, but it is also less fuel-efficient.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Toyota Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser has a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.
The Highlander’s payload capacity is 1,730 pounds. The Land Cruiser‘s payload capacity is 1,620 pounds.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Toyota Highlander is a capable off-road vehicle, but it is not as capable as the Land Cruiser. The Highlander has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, while the Land Cruiser has a ground clearance of 9.6 inches.
The Land Cruiser also has a more advanced four-wheel drive system than the Highlander. The Land Cruiser’s four-wheel drive system includes a locking center differential, which allows it to send power to all four wheels even when one wheel is slipping.
Safety Features
The Toyota Highlander and Land Cruiser both come standard with a variety of safety features, including:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Traction control
- Stability control
- Airbags
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic emergency braking
The Land Cruiser also offers some additional safety features that are not available on the Highlander, such as:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Crawl control
Price
The Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $35,850. The Land Cruiser has a starting price of $85,245.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Toyota Highlander is a great choice for families who need a spacious and fuel-efficient SUV. The Highlander is also a good choice for people who want a capable off-road vehicle.
The Land Cruiser is a great choice for people who need a powerful and capable off-road vehicle. The Land Cruiser is also a good choice for people who want a luxurious and well-equipped SUV.
Alternatives
If you are considering the Toyota Highlander or Land Cruiser, you may also want to consider the following alternatives:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Ford Explorer
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- GMC Yukon
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Which SUV is more fuel-efficient, the Highlander or the Land Cruiser?
A: The Highlander is more fuel-efficient than the Land Cruiser. The Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the Land Cruiser gets an EPA-estimated 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.
Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine, the Highlander or the Land Cruiser?
A: The Land Cruiser has a more powerful engine than the Highlander. The Land Cruiser’s 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 381 horsepower, while the Highlander’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 295 horsepower.
Q: Which SUV has a higher towing capacity, the Highlander or the Land Cruiser?
A: The Land Cruiser has a higher towing capacity than the Highlander. The Land Cruiser has a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, while the Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.