2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Honda CR-V
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical variance between the 2025 Toyota Highlander (Car 1) and the 2026 Honda CR-V (Car 2) is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Highlander starting at $40,320, which is $9,400 more than the CR-V's entry price of $30,920. Performance figures also diverge significantly; the Highlander delivers 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, substantially outperforming the CR-V's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. However, the CR-V holds a measurable advantage in efficiency, achieving a combined 30 MPG compared to the Highlander's 25 MPG. Furthermore, the CR-V offers nearly 2.5 times the usable space, boasting 39.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Highlander's 16 cubic feet. These figures indicate a trade-off between power and space maximization versus upfront cost savings and better fuel economy.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior 30 combined MPG rating, leading to lower operational costs.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is favored for families needing more robust capacity, although its 16 cu ft cargo space is smaller than Car 2, its larger exterior dimensions suggest greater interior volume for passengers and potential seating configuration advantages often associated with this size class.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers substantially more power with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the CR-V’s 190 hp.
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V presents superior fiscal value, costing $9,400 less MSRP and offering 30 MPG versus the Highlander's 25 MPG.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- Maximum power output is critical, specifically needing 265 horsepower for performance driving.
- A higher ride height and overall larger body dimensions (194.9 inches long) are prioritized.
- The buyer prefers the predictable gear changes of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- Keeping the initial purchase price below $31,000 is a primary concern.
- Maximizing fuel economy is necessary, targeting 33 highway MPG.
- Greater ultimate cargo utility is required, with 39.3 cubic feet available compared to Car 1's 16 cubic feet.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 28/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 392.0/462.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 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: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
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 | 58.7 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 52.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| 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. |
| 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 and 2026 Honda CR-V.
What is the primary cost difference between the 2025 Highlander and the 2026 CR-V?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander carries an MSRP of $40,320, making it exactly $9,400 more expensive than the 2026 Honda CR-V, which starts at $30,920. This significant difference impacts the total cost of ownership consideration.
Which crossover offers better fuel efficiency for daily driving?
The 2026 Honda CR-V is substantially more efficient, delivering 30 combined MPG (28 city/33 highway). The 2025 Toyota Highlander lags behind with a combined rating of only 25 MPG.
How much more powerful is the Highlander compared to the CR-V?
The Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, creating a 75 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque advantage over the CR-V's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft.
Is the smaller CR-V actually less practical for hauling gear?
Counterintuitively based on exterior size, the CR-V shows a massive advantage in listed cargo capacity, offering 39.3 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16 cubic feet. This suggests superior usable rear storage in the CR-V.
Do the transmission types differ between these two crossovers?
Yes, the vehicles use distinct transmissions; the Highlander utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the CR-V is equipped with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).
Are both vehicles powered by standard unleaded fuel?
Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Honda CR-V specify the use of regular unleaded fuel, which aids in keeping running costs manageable for both models.
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