2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2025 Volvo XC40

$40,860 · Crossover

$40,650 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the spacious utility of the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and the compact efficiency of the 2025 Volvo XC40 really boils down to how you prioritize size versus driving refinement. If you need sheer bulk, the Grand Highlander’s 201.4 inches in length dwarfs the XC40’s 174.8 inches, offering significantly more presence. However, this size trade-off impacts fuel economy; the Highlander achieves a combined 24 MPG on regular unleaded, while the smaller XC40 nets 26 MPG, albeit requiring premium fuel. Power-wise, the Toyota leads with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Volvo's 247 hp and 258 lb-ft. Cargo capacity is surprisingly close, with both offering just over 20 cubic feet (20.6 cu ft vs 20.4 cu ft) behind the rearmost seats, highlighting the core dilemma: the Toyota is much larger overall but the usable space advantage isn't as dramatic upfront.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 wins for commuting due to its smaller exterior dimensions (174.8 inches long) making city navigation easier and its slightly better fuel economy rating of 26 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the clear family choice due to its much larger overall structure (201.4 inches long) implying superior passenger comfort, especially in the crucial third row.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander offers higher brute performance figures, boasting 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque versus the XC40's 247 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

Despite a slightly higher MSRP of $40,860, the Grand Highlander runs on regular unleaded fuel, whereas the XC40 requires premium, lowering long-term running costs for the Toyota.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

You regularly transport more than five people, as the significantly longer body (201.4 inches) suggests better third-row space.
You prefer saving money on fuel costs by using regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium.
You need the maximum engine output, leveraging the 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque available.

Choose the Volvo XC40 if...

Your priority is easier parking and maneuvering in tight urban environments due to its smaller footprint.
You appreciate the added traction security provided by standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
You want slightly better fuel economy at 26 MPG combined, provided you accept the premium fuel requirement.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Grand Highlander	Volvo XC40
Length	201.4"	174.8"
Width	78.3"	73.7"
Height	70.1"	65.0"
Wheelbase	116.1"	106.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Front Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	247 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1800 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	Toyota	Volvo
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/28 MPG	23/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	373.8/498.4 mi.	326.6/426.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.8 gal.	14.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Stereo Power	—	250W
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Front Head Room	41.5 in.	39.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.2 in.	56.7 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	54.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	36.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.8 in.	56.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	54.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	18 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	3 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and 2025 Volvo XC40.

Is the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander substantially larger inside than the Volvo XC40?

While the Highlander is significantly longer externally at 201.4 inches compared to the XC40’s 174.8 inches, the usable cargo capacity right behind the rear seats is nearly identical, measuring 20.6 cu ft versus 20.4 cu ft. The Highlander's size advantage is primarily felt in the second and third rows.

Which vehicle is cheaper to run concerning fuel type?

The Toyota Grand Highlander is cheaper to run day-to-day as it requires regular unleaded gasoline. The Volvo XC40 explicitly recommends premium unleaded, which typically costs more per gallon.

How do these two crossovers compare in powertrain capability?

The 2025 Grand Highlander offers more outright power with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 XC40 produces a respectable 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and importantly, comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.

Which car is better if I encounter snow frequently?

The Volvo XC40 has an advantage here because it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander configuration listed uses Front Wheel Drive.

Is the price difference between the two vehicles significant?

Not really; the MSRPs are very close, with the Toyota Grand Highlander starting at $40,860 and the Volvo XC40 starting at $40,650, a difference of just $210.