2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Dodge Durango
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid rockets ahead with its exceptional efficiency, netting an impressive 35 combined MPG, a full 15 MPG better than the spirited 2026 Dodge Durango's 20 MPG. The Durango, however, commands attention with a muscle-bound 295 horsepower, easily eclipsing the Highlander Hybrid’s 243 hp output, making it the performance contender. Despite the power disparity, the Highlander Hybrid commands a premium, starting at $46,820 compared to the Durango’s aggressive $38,995 base price. While both are sizable crossovers, the Durango stretches nearly 6 inches longer at 200.8 inches, offering slightly more utility with 17.2 cu ft of cargo space versus the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft. This comparison pits fuel economy mastery against raw power and traditional American size.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid’s superior 35 MPG rating makes it the drastically cheaper option for daily driving miles.
2026 Dodge Durango
The 2026 Durango offers slightly more overall space, boasting 17.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft.
2026 Dodge Durango
With 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic, the Durango promises a more engaging, powerful drive.
2026 Dodge Durango
The Durango undercuts the Highlander Hybrid's MSRP by a substantial $7,825 while providing more horsepower.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Your driving priority is maximizing fuel savings, leveraging the 35 combined MPG rating.
- You prefer the control and stability offered by the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
- You require a slightly lower, easier-to-manage profile at 68.1 inches in height.
Choose the Dodge Durango if...
- You crave performance, as the 295 hp output significantly outpaces the competitor.
- You need the lowest entry price point, with an MSRP starting $7,825 lower than car1.
- You desire a traditional Rear Wheel Drive layout combined with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 200.8" |
| Width | 76.0" | 75.8" |
| Height | 68.1" | 72.1" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 3.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 243 hp @ 6000 rpm | 295 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | — |
| Torque | — | 260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 18/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 598.5/598.5 mi. | 442.8/615.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 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 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.9 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Folding Capability | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.4 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R18 | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 8.0 in |
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. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 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 Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Dodge Durango.
How much more powerful is the 2026 Dodge Durango compared to the Highlander Hybrid?
The 2026 Dodge Durango generates 295 horsepower, offering 52 more horsepower than the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp. This substantial power increase, along with 260 lb-ft of torque, suggests a more performance-focused driving character.
What is the real-world cost difference at the pump between these two crossovers?
The difference is significant: the Highlander Hybrid achieves 35 combined MPG, while the Durango manages only 20 combined MPG. This 15 MPG advantage means the Highlander Hybrid will cost considerably less to fuel over long commuting distances.
Does the extra cost of the Highlander Hybrid buy more interior space?
Not significantly; the 2026 Durango has a slight edge in utility, offering 17.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft. However, the Durango is physically longer by almost 6 inches (200.8 inches vs 194.9 inches).
Why is the base MSRP for the Highlander Hybrid so much higher than the Durango?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $46,820, a premium of $7,825 over the Durango’s $38,995 MSRP. This price gap likely reflects the specialized hybrid powertrain technology and standard All-Wheel Drive in the Toyota.
Which vehicle uses a more conventional transmission?
The 2026 Dodge Durango utilizes a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the Highlander Hybrid employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which some drivers find less engaging.
Are both vehicles equipped with All-Wheel Drive as standard?
No, the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes standard with All-Wheel Drive. The 2026 Dodge Durango is specified with Rear Wheel Drive for its base model, though AWD may be an available option.
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