2019 Toyota Highlander vs. 2019 Toyota 4Runner: Which is Right for You?

The Toyota Highlander and Toyota 4Runner are both midsize SUV options. What are the differences between these vehicles and which is right for you? Check out the comparison below to learn more.

Exterior Comparison

The Toyota Highlander and 4Runner are both midsize SUVs, so they are pretty similar in size, but they are different in appearance. The Toyota Highlander looks sleek and beautiful with smooth body lines and an aerodynamic appearance. On the other hand, the 4Runner looks more rugged and almost truck-like. The 4Runner is also a little bit taller than the Highlander to offer extra ground-clearance for off-roading.

Overall, the Toyota Highlander looks more like the family-friendly SUV, and the Toyota 4Runner looks like it is ready for an off-road adventure.

Interior and Technology

The 2019 Toyota Highlander seats eight people in its base model on cloth seating. However, you can upgrade to leather seating and captain's chair for the middle row to make this vehicle seat only seven. It is also important to take a look at cargo space. The Highlander gives you 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, but up to 83.7 cubic feet if you fold the second and third rows down.

When it comes to technology, the 2019 Highlander gives you a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, voice recognition, a rearview camera, and the Toyota Safety Sense P standard. The Toyota Safety Sense gives you features like pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.

With the standard configuration in the 2019 Toyota 4Runner, you can seat five people, but there is an optional third row that allows you to seat seven people. As for cargo space, the 4Runner offers you 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 89.7 cubic feet behind the first row. However, if you add the optional third row, you only get 9 cubic feet of storage behind it.

Standard technology and features in the 4Runner include a rearview camera, a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Bluetooth. You can upgrade to get optional features like a moonroof, push-button start, navigation, and parking sensors.

Overall, the Highlander offers you more seating and more standard safety features, but the 4Runner gives you more cargo space for taking on your next adventure.

Performance

Next, let's look at the performance of these two vehicles. The 2019 Toyota Highlander offers you two engine options. The base engine is 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that gives you 185-horsepower. This engine also gives you 20 city and 24 highway miles per gallon. Your other engine option is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that gives you 295-horsepower. This engine offers you 21 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. It also offers you a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2019 Toyota 4Runner is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine that is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 270-horsepower. In terms of fuel efficiency, the 4Runner gives you 17 city miles per gallon and 21 highway miles per gallon.

Which is Right for You?

These two SUVs are both great options. The Highlander is more of a family SUV, and the 4Runner is more of a vehicle for off-roading and taking road trips. Which one is better for you?

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