2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Dodge Durango
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Dodge Durango lies in fuel economy, where the Highlander achieves 5 MPG more combined (25 MPG vs. 20 MPG). Furthermore, the Highlander offers 265 hp, while the Durango supplies 295 hp, reflecting a 30 hp advantage for the Dodge. Pricewise, the Durango has a lower base MSRP at $38,995 compared to the Highlander's $40,320. Dimensionally, the Durango is noticeably larger, measuring 200.8 inches long and standing 72.1 inches tall, exceeding the Highlander's length by nearly 5.9 inches and height by 4.0 inches. Despite its smaller exterior footprint, the Highlander maintains competitive utility with 16 cu ft of cargo space, only slightly trailing the Durango’s 17.2 cu ft. The choice hinges on prioritizing efficiency and a lower entry cost (Highlander) versus outright power and size (Durango).
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Highlander wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG versus the Durango's 20 MPG.
2026 Dodge Durango
The 2026 Durango is better suited for families as it offers greater exterior dimensions and slightly more usable cargo capacity at 17.2 cubic feet.
2026 Dodge Durango
Enthusiasts will favor the Durango due to its higher output of 295 horsepower, surpassing the Highlander's 265 hp.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander presents better value based on efficiency, achieving 25 MPG combined against the Durango's 20 MPG, lowering long-term operational costs.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- Your primary metric is operational efficiency, as indicated by the 25 MPG combined rating.
- You prefer a slightly lower starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $40,320.
- You value the standard front-wheel drive layout paired with the 22/29 MPG City/Highway rating.
Choose the Dodge Durango if...
- You require maximum power, as the Durango outputs 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
- You need substantial physical size, demonstrated by the Durango's 200.8-inch length and 72.1-inch height.
- You prefer a standard rear-wheel drive configuration, which comes with the Durango's base setup.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| 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 shiftable 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) | 22/29 MPG | 18/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 442.8/615.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 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: 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 | 39.4 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| 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. |
| 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 and 2026 Dodge Durango.
What is the precise difference in fuel consumption between the 2025 Highlander and the 2026 Durango?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander leads significantly, achieving a combined 25 MPG, whereas the 2026 Dodge Durango is rated at 20 MPG combined. This results in a 5 MPG advantage for the Highlander on the EPA testing cycle.
How much more power does the 2026 Durango generate compared to the 2025 Highlander?
The 2026 Durango boasts 295 horsepower, providing 30 more horsepower than the Highlander's 265 hp output. Both utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Is there a significant difference in base pricing between the two crossovers?
Yes, the 2026 Dodge Durango has a lower entry price point at $38,995 compared to the 2025 Toyota Highlander's MSRP of $40,320. This creates an initial cost savings of $1,325 when selecting the Durango.
Which vehicle offers superior interior capacity for cargo?
The 2026 Dodge Durango offers marginally more standardized cargo volume at 17.2 cubic feet. The 2025 Toyota Highlander provides 16.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity in its base configuration.
What is the key mechanical difference regarding the standard drive layout?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). Conversely, the 2026 Dodge Durango defaults to a rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration.
How do the overall vehicle footprints compare dimensionally?
The Durango is the physically larger vehicle, measuring 200.8 inches in length, compared to the Highlander's 194.9 inches. Additionally, the Durango is 4.0 inches taller at 72.1 inches.
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