2025 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
Trying to decide between the highly practical 2025 Honda CR-V and the substantially larger 2026 Toyota Highlander often comes down to budget versus bulk. If stretching your dollar is key, the CR-V starts impressively low at $30,100 compared to the Highlander's $45,270—a massive $15,170 difference right off the bat. While the Highlander boasts significantly more pep with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, the CR-V delivers superior efficiency, achieving 30 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 24 combined MPG, which translates to real savings over thousands of miles. However, the Highlander is physically larger, measuring 194.9 inches long, contrasting with the CR-V's 184.8 inches. Buyers must weigh the CR-V's excellent 39.3 cu ft of cargo space against the Highlander's powerful stance and extra 75 horsepower.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda CR-V
The 2025 Honda CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 34 MPG highway versus the Highlander's 28 MPG highway.
2026 Toyota Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is better suited for larger families needing space, evidenced by its greater overall length (194.9 inches) and higher stance.
2026 Toyota Highlander
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2026 Toyota Highlander because it offers substantially more power with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Honda CR-V
The 2025 Honda CR-V provides better overall value with a starting MSRP that is $15,170 lower than the Highlander while still delivering 190 horsepower.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- Your budget is a primary concern, given the $30,100 starting MSRP.
- You prioritize maximizing fuel savings with a 30 combined MPG rating.
- You prefer a more compact footprint for city driving, as it is 10.1 inches shorter than the Highlander.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You need robust performance and towing capabilities, highlighted by 265 horsepower.
- You frequently require All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box.
- You need a vehicle larger than 190 inches in length for maximum passenger/gear hauling, despite the lower 16 cu ft cargo capacity listed.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda CR-V | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8" | 194.9" |
| Width | 73.5" | 76.0" |
| Height | 66.2" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 106.3" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/34 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.0/476.0 mi. | 375.9/501.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.0 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 160W | — |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.6 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R | P235/65R V |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda CR-V and 2026 Toyota Highlander.
How much more expensive is the 2026 Toyota Highlander compared to the 2025 Honda CR-V?
The price difference is significant; the 2026 Toyota Highlander starts at $45,270, making it $15,170 more expensive than the 2025 Honda CR-V, which begins at $30,100.
Is the CR-V or the Highlander better on gas for highway trips?
The Honda CR-V is the clear winner for efficiency, earning 34 MPG on the highway compared to the Toyota Highlander's 28 MPG highway rating.
Which vehicle has the advantage in raw engine power?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander offers a major power boost, producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, compared to the CR-V's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque.
What is the difference in usable cargo space?
Despite being a smaller vehicle, the 2025 Honda CR-V offers significantly more accessible cargo room at 39.3 cu ft, while the 2026 Toyota Highlander lists only 16 cu ft in this measurement.
Do both SUVs use the same fuel type?
Yes, both the 2025 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are specified to run on regular unleaded gasoline, which simplifies fueling.
Which car uses a conventional transmission versus a CVT?
The CR-V utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Highlander is equipped with a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
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