2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2026 Dodge Durango
Comparison Overview
Choosing between a practical three-row cruiser like the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and the newly refreshed 2026 Dodge Durango often boils down to balancing efficiency against traditional driving dynamics. If your daily commute involves heavy stop-and-go traffic, that 4 MPG combined efficiency advantage of the Grand Highlander (24 MPG combined vs. the Durango's 20 MPG combined) starts adding up fast. The Grand Highlander’s lower entry MSRP of $40,860 is slightly higher than the Durango’s $38,995, but its superior fuel economy balances this quickly. While the Durango offers a slight edge in standard power with 295 hp compared to the Highlander’s 265 hp, the Toyota offers significantly better torque delivery at 310 lb-ft versus the Dodge’s 260 lb-ft, benefiting everyday usability. Furthermore, the Grand Highlander provides noticeably more usable space, boasting 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row compared to the Durango’s 17.2 cubic feet, making it the smarter overall utility choice.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, delivering 24 MPG combined versus the Durango's 20 MPG combined.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Families will favor the Grand Highlander because it offers substantially more practical space with 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Durango's 17.2 cubic feet.
2026 Dodge Durango
Enthusiasts will lean towards the 2026 Dodge Durango for its higher peak horsepower rating of 295 hp, though the torque advantage belongs to Car 1.
2026 Dodge Durango
The 2026 Dodge Durango provides better immediate value with a lower starting MSRP of $38,995 against the Grand Highlander’s $40,860.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You prioritize long-term running costs and overall fuel efficiency, as the Grand Highlander achieves 24 MPG combined.
- Maximum cargo utility behind the third row is essential, given its 20.6 cubic feet capacity.
- You prefer better low-end grunt for merging and city driving, thanks to its 310 lb-ft of torque.
Choose the Dodge Durango if...
- You want the lowest possible entry price for a new three-row SUV, with an MSRP starting at $38,995.
- You prefer the feel of standard Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) handling dynamics over the standard FWD setup of the Toyota.
- Your primary focus is maximum horsepower, as the Durango delivers 295 hp versus the Highlander's 265 hp.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Grand Highlander | Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 201.4" | 200.8" |
| Width | 78.3" | 75.8" |
| Height | 70.1" | 72.1" |
| Wheelbase | 116.1" | 119.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 3.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 295 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/28 MPG | 18/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 373.8/498.4 mi. | 442.8/615.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.8 gal. | 24.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 10.1 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | With Real Time Traffic |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 39.9 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.2 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 57.0 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 | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Folding Capability | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.8 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and 2026 Dodge Durango.
Which SUV is better for saving money at the pump between the 2025 Grand Highlander and 2026 Durango?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is the clear winner here. It is rated for 24 MPG combined, which is a significant 4 MPG better than the Dodge Durango’s 20 MPG combined rating. This efficiency difference should translate to noticeable savings over a year of driving.
Does the power difference between the two vehicles feel significant in real-world driving?
While the 2026 Durango has 30 more horsepower (295 hp vs 265 hp), the 2025 Grand Highlander actually leads in torque with 310 lb-ft versus the Durango’s 260 lb-ft. This means the Toyota should feel slightly stronger when accelerating from a stop or pulling a heavy load.
How much passenger and cargo space difference is there, considering both are large crossovers?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is physically larger overall and offers better utility for passengers and gear. It provides 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Durango's 17.2 cubic feet behind the rearmost seats.
Is the difference in drivetrain (FWD vs. RWD) noticeable for typical buyers?
Yes, for those who care about vehicle dynamics, the difference is key: Car 1 (Toyota) comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, suitable for predictable commuter driving, while Car 2 (Dodge) features Rear Wheel Drive, which enthusiasts often prefer for better balanced handling.
How do the starting prices compare for these two large SUVs?
The 2026 Dodge Durango enters the competition with a lower Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $38,995. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander has a slightly higher entry price point at $40,860.
Are there any differences in fuel requirements for the two models?
Both vehicles are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, which is convenient for everyday ownership. Neither model requires premium gasoline for its base engine offerings.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool