The short answer
If you are cross-shopping because of a specific Highlander problem rather than a preference, run a quick check first. A noisy transfer case, a shuddering transmission, or a thirsty engine often has a fix that costs far less than trading the whole vehicle. Our free AI diagnosis can tell you whether the issue you are chasing is a $300 repair or a real reason to switch.
Highlander vs the field at a glance
These are 2025 to 2026 model-year figures. Prices are rounded starting MSRP before destination and reflect mainstream front- or all-wheel-drive trims. Use them as a planning baseline, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Start Price | Combined MPG | Best At | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | ~$40,000 | 24 gas / 35 hybrid | Efficiency, resale, reliability | Tight third row, firm ride |
| Kia Telluride | ~$37,000 | 21-24 | Features, space, value | No hybrid option yet |
| Hyundai Palisade | ~$37,000 | 21-24 | Cabin comfort, content | Resale lags Toyota |
| Honda Pilot | ~$41,000 | 21-22 | Cargo, rugged feel, V6 | No hybrid, lower mpg |
| Mazda CX-90 | ~$40,000 | 24-25 / PHEV | Driving feel, interior | New 8-speed quirks |
| Subaru Ascent | ~$40,000 | 22-23 | Standard AWD, safety | Turbo-four, no hybrid |
| Grand Highlander | ~$44,000 | 21 gas / 34 hybrid | More room, same DNA | Costs more than standard |
The rivals, ranked by what they do better
1. Kia Telluride - the value and space champion
The Telluride undercuts the Highlander by roughly $2,000 to $3,000 while giving you a bigger, more usable third row and a longer list of standard features. Heated seats, a large touchscreen, and driver-assist tech show up earlier in the trim ladder. The trade-off: no hybrid yet, so combined economy sits in the low 20s versus the Highlander Hybrid's mid-30s. Reliability has been solid, though Toyota still owns a longer trouble-free track record.
2. Hyundai Palisade - the comfort-first sibling
Mechanically close to the Telluride, the Palisade leans plush. The cabin feels richer at the price, with quilted seats on upper trims and one of the quietest rides in the class. Like its Kia twin, it gives up fuel economy to the Highlander Hybrid and historically gives up some resale value too, which matters if you trade every few years.
3. Honda Pilot - the practical workhorse
The Pilot is the rational rival. Its 3.5-liter V6 is one of the most proven engines on the road, the cargo hold is huge, and the available TrailSport trim adds real off-road hardware. It is not efficient, landing around 21 to 22 mpg combined, and there is no hybrid. But if you tow, haul, and keep vehicles past 150,000 miles, the Pilot is hard to argue with.
4. Mazda CX-90 - the near-luxury pick
The CX-90 feels like it costs more than it does. The inline-six turbo is smooth and strong, the interior materials punch above the price, and it is the best-driving SUV here. A plug-in hybrid variant exists for short electric commutes. The catch is a newer eight-speed automatic that some early owners describe as hesitant at low speed, plus a tighter cabin than the Korean rivals.
5. Subaru Ascent - the all-weather safety play
Standard all-wheel drive, strong crash-test results, and a no-drama reputation define the Ascent. Its turbocharged four-cylinder pulls fine but is not as refined as a V6 or inline-six, and there is no hybrid option. If you live where it snows and value standard AWD and safety tech over outright efficiency, it earns a look.
6. Toyota Grand Highlander - more Highlander, literally
If your only complaint is the standard Highlander's cramped third row, the Grand Highlander solves it without leaving the brand. It is bigger in every dimension, offers a punchy Hybrid Max powertrain, and keeps Toyota's reliability and resale advantages. It costs more, typically $3,000 to $4,000 over a comparable Highlander.
7. The Highlander itself - still the efficiency benchmark
It earns a spot on its own list. No mainstream three-row rival matches the Highlander Hybrid's roughly 35 to 36 mpg combined, and few match its resale and dependability. If those three things top your list, you may not need an alternative at all.
Common mistakes when cross-shopping
- Ignoring the hybrid math. At 15,000 miles a year and $3.50 per gallon, the Highlander Hybrid can save $700 to $900 in fuel annually versus a gas-only rival. Over a 6-year hold that is real money the sticker price does not show.
- Trusting the brochure third row. Sit in it. The standard Highlander, Pilot, and CX-90 differ a lot in the back. The Telluride, Palisade, and Grand Highlander are the adult-friendly choices.
- Forgetting resale. Toyota and Honda typically hold value better than the Korean pair after 4 to 5 years. A lower purchase price can vanish at trade-in time.
- Trading over a fixable fault. A check-engine light such as P0420 or a transmission complaint flagged by P0700 is often a repair, not a reason to dump the car. So is a recurring flashing check-engine light.
How to pick the right one
Match the rival to your top priority and the choice gets simple.
- Lowest fuel bills: Highlander Hybrid or Grand Highlander Hybrid. Nothing else is close on combined mpg.
- Most space for the money: Kia Telluride, with the Hyundai Palisade a close second.
- Best long-term durability and resale: Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot.
- Best to drive and most premium feel: Mazda CX-90.
- Snow-belt all-wheel-drive value: Subaru Ascent.
- More Highlander without changing brands: Toyota Grand Highlander.
Before you sign anything, sanity-check the deal. Paste any dealer or repair number into our quote checker to see whether you are paying a fair market rate or an inflated one.
Frequently asked questions
TL;DR
The best Toyota Highlander competitors are the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade for space and value, the Honda Pilot for practicality, the Mazda CX-90 for premium feel, the Subaru Ascent for all-weather safety, and the Toyota Grand Highlander for more room without switching brands. The Highlander itself still owns the hybrid efficiency crown at around 35 mpg combined plus class-leading resale. Pick by priority, sit in the third row before you buy, and if you are only switching because of a fault, diagnose it first.