2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Lexus NX
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Toyota Highlander bursts onto the scene with a potent 265 hp turbo engine delivering a solid 310 lb-ft of torque, emphasizing traditional SUV grunt, even though its 25 combined MPG feels modest. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus NX leans into refined efficiency, boasting a phenomenal 40 combined MPG, significantly outpacing the Highlander's fuel economy. While the Highlander measures 194.9 inches long, offering a commanding presence, the Lexus is the more nimble urban package at 183.5 inches. Enthusiasts favoring immediate acceleration will note the Highlander's power advantage, while value seekers will weigh the Highlander's $40,320 MSRP against the Lexus's higher starting price of $44,175 and its superior fuel savings potential, despite requiring premium fuel.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Lexus NX
The 2026 Lexus NX wins for commuters due to its staggering 40 combined MPG, offering significant operational savings over the Highlander's 25 MPG.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers greater space and practicality with a slightly larger overall footprint (194.9 inches long) compared to the Lexus NX.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Car1 is the winner for enthusiasts thanks to its higher output of 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the NX's 240 hp.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander provides better sheer performance per dollar, starting $3,855 cheaper than the Lexus NX.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You prioritize raw power, as the Highlander offers 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- You need the most interior volume, evidenced by its larger exterior dimensions (194.9 inches long).
- You prefer using regular unleaded fuel instead of premium for long-term cost certainty.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, with the NX achieving an impressive 40 combined MPG.
- You desire superior utility volume, boasting 22.7 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft.
- A premium, slightly smaller, and more maneuverable urban crossover experience is desired.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 183.5" |
| Width | 76.0" | 73.4" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.1" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 240 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 310 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 | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 42/38 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 40 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 609.0/551.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 9.8 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 10 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 38.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 56.3 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 | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 38.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 36.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 52.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Run Flat Tires | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Lexus NX.
Which crossover has better fuel economy for daily driving?
The 2026 Lexus NX is the clear efficiency champion, delivering 40 combined MPG, which is a massive 15 MPG better than the 2025 Toyota Highlander's 25 combined MPG.
How significant is the performance difference between these two FWD models?
The Highlander edges out the NX in brute force, producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the NX offers 240 horsepower, making the Highlander feel punchier off the line.
Is the 2025 Toyota Highlander actually bigger than the 2026 Lexus NX?
Yes, the Highlander is dimensionally larger, measuring 194.9 inches in length compared to the NX's 183.5 inches, though interestingly, the NX offers more specified cargo capacity at 22.7 cu ft versus 16 cu ft for the Highlander.
Does one car save money on fuel type compared to the other?
The Highlander uses regular unleaded fuel, which is generally less expensive than the Lexus NX, which recommends premium unleaded, offsetting some of the NX’s inherent MPG advantage.
What is the price gap between the entry-level versions of these two crossovers?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander has a lower starting MSRP of $40,320, meaning it is $3,855 less expensive than the 2026 Lexus NX which starts at $44,175.
Which vehicle uses a traditional automatic transmission?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander features an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the 2026 Lexus NX utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).
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