2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Honda CR-V
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Car 1) and the 2026 Honda CR-V (Car 2) is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), which shows a stark $15,900 difference, with the Highlander starting at $46,820 versus the CR-V's $30,920. Performance metrics also separate the two: the Highlander Hybrid generates 243 hp, a substantial 53 hp advantage over the CR-V's 190 hp. Fuel economy favors the Toyota, delivering a combined 35 MPG compared to the Honda's 30 MPG combined. However, the CR-V counters with significantly more utility, boasting 39.3 cu ft of cargo capacity, nearly 2.5 times the Highlander's 16 cu ft. The Highlander’s AWD system and greater dimensions (194.9 inches long) offer a different proposition than the smaller, FWD-focused CR-V.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid wins for commuters due to its superior 35 MPG combined efficiency and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V is better for families because it offers 39.3 cu ft of cargo capacity, more than double the Highlander's 16 cu ft.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for its 243 hp output, which exceeds the 190 hp of the CR-V.
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V provides superior overall value, beginning with a $15,900 lower MSRP than the competitor.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- You require the higher power output of 243 hp for merging and acceleration.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a non-negotiable requirement for your driving conditions.
- Maximizing hybrid efficiency with a consistent 35 MPG combined rating is a top priority.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- Budget is a primary constraint, evidenced by the $30,920 starting MSRP against Car 1's $46,820.
- Maximum utility is needed, as Car 2 offers 39.3 cu ft of cargo space versus 16 cu ft in Car 1.
- A smaller vehicle footprint (184.8 inches in length) is preferred for urban navigation.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 184.8" |
| Width | 76.0" | 73.5" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.2" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 106.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 243 hp @ 6000 rpm | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 28/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 598.5/598.5 mi. | 392.0/462.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 14.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 9.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Stereo Power | — | 160W |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 38.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.4 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 52.6 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Steel |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R18 | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Honda CR-V.
How much more fuel-efficient is the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid than the 2026 Honda CR-V?
The Highlander Hybrid achieves a combined 35 MPG, whereas the CR-V is rated at 30 MPG combined, giving the Toyota a 5 MPG advantage in combined city/highway driving.
What is the primary reason the CR-V is significantly cheaper than the Highlander Hybrid?
The primary financial difference is the $15,900 MSRP gap, stemming partly from the Highlander Hybrid utilizing AWD standard while the CR-V uses FWD, alongside the Highlander's higher power output.
Which vehicle offers better outright cargo space for family use?
The 2026 Honda CR-V is the clear winner in cargo capacity, providing 39.3 cu ft compared to the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's limited 16 cu ft.
Is the horsepower difference between the two models significant for performance driving?
Yes, the Highlander Hybrid produces 243 hp, making it substantially more powerful than the CR-V's 190 hp output, which directly impacts acceleration potential.
Do both crossovers utilize the same transmission type?
Yes, both vehicles are equipped with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) for power delivery.
Does the drivetrain configuration differ between these two models?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), while the base 2026 Honda CR-V is configured with Front Wheel Drive (FWD).
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