2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Volvo XC60

$40,320 · Crossover

$49,700 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Volvo XC60 is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Highlander starting at $40,320 compared to the XC60's $49,700, a difference of $9,380. Power figures slightly favor the Highlander, which outputs 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the XC60's 247 hp and 266 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly equivalent, with the Highlander achieving 25 MPG combined versus the XC60's 26 MPG combined, though the Highlander uses regular unleaded while the Volvo recommends premium. Dimensionally, the Highlander is longer at 194.9 inches versus the XC60's 185.4 inches, offering a potentially larger footprint, although the Highlander's listed cargo capacity is only 16 cu ft. Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, but the XC60 includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) while the Highlander is front-wheel drive (FWD).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volvo XC60

The 2026 Volvo XC60 is the better commuter choice due to its standard All-Wheel Drive capability and slightly superior combined fuel economy of 26 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Highlander wins for families based on its greater overall length (194.9 inches) and the likely implication of more substantial third-row or general passenger volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander provides a measurable performance edge with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, substantially exceeding the XC60's power figures.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Highlander

With an MSRP starting $9,380 lower than the Volvo, the 2025 Toyota Highlander delivers significantly better initial purchase value.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Your budget mandates an MSRP below $41,000, as the Highlander starts at $40,320.
You prioritize maximizing engine output, as its 310 lb-ft of torque is higher than the XC60's output.
You prefer utilizing less expensive regular unleaded gasoline over premium fuel.

Choose the Volvo XC60 if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive is a non-negotiable requirement for your driving conditions.
You seek slightly better efficiency, evidenced by the 26 MPG combined rating versus the Highlander's 25 MPG.
A smaller, more maneuverable exterior profile is desired, as the XC60 is shorter by nearly 9.5 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander	Volvo XC60
Length	194.9"	185.4"
Width	76.0"	-
Height	68.1"	65.2"
Wheelbase	112.2"	112.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	247 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	266 lb-ft
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	Volvo
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/29 MPG	23/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	393.8/519.1 mi.	432.4/564.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	18.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	11.2 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
Stereo Power	—	220W
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.0 in.	58.2 in.
Front Hip Room	57.2 in.	56.4 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
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.7 in.	56.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	55.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/65R V	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Volvo
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Volvo XC60.

Which crossover offers superior acceleration based on specifications?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is speculatively faster, boasting 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the 2026 Volvo XC60 produces 247 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, indicating the Highlander has a measurable advantage in power output.

What is the practical difference in fuel requirement between these two vehicles?

The Highlander operates efficiently on regular unleaded gasoline. The 2026 Volvo XC60 explicitly recommends premium unleaded, which will result in higher recurring ownership fuel costs despite its slightly better 26 MPG combined rating.

How does the drivetrain capability compare for inclement weather?

The 2026 Volvo XC60 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing enhanced traction in slippery conditions. The 2025 Toyota Highlander is listed with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) as its standard configuration.

Is the cargo area substantially larger in either model?

Based on the limited data, the Highlander is significantly larger overall (194.9 inches long), but the provided cargo measurement for the Highlander is 16 cu ft, while the XC60's cargo capacity specification was not provided for a direct comparison.

What is the precise cost avoidance when selecting the Toyota over the Volvo?

Choosing the 2025 Toyota Highlander at its $40,320 MSRP provides an immediate saving of $9,380 compared to the 2026 Volvo XC60, which starts at $49,700.

Are both SUVs similarly sized for urban parking?

The 2026 Volvo XC60 is substantially more compact, measuring 185.4 inches in length compared to the Highlander's 194.9 inches. This nearly 10-inch length difference should make the XC60 easier to navigate and park in tight urban environments.