Who’s the Best? 2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

Toyota for the past few years has been adding many new SUVs to its portfolio, and at this point, they honestly have enough SUV’s that you could shop for any need just within their lineup. Two of the most recently redesigned options are the Grand Highlander and 4Runner. These are SUV’s that are designed for different purposes, but when you look below the surface, they’re still often cross-shopped by the same customer. So, who wins in a 2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander battle? That’s what we’re here to find out!

Pricing and Equipment

Now before we jump into all the individual exterior, interior, and performance comparisons, let’s talk about pricing which is very similar.

Starting with the new Grand Highlander, it has a rather “Grand” price if you get the fully loaded Hybrid Max Platinum example. All in, after destination, we’re sitting at $60,225.

MSRP (Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid MAX AWD): $58,775 | Options: $0 | Destination: $1,450 | Total: $60,225

While that may sound like a lot, the 4Runner pricing has elevated significantly over the outgoing generation. When you get an equivalent Platinum trim level it rings in even more expensive, at $65,380.

MSRP (4Runner Platinum 4WD): $62,860 | Options: $1,070 | Destination: $1,450 | Total: $65,380

Exterior Design

So, getting things started here, it should be said right from the start these two have completely different missions within the Toyota lineup. The 4Runner is more off road and capability focused, which is why for its grille up front you’ll find a squared off and tough look. Grand Highlander, on the other hand, goes for a more family-focused approach and has softer lines. Whichever you prefer is up to you, but from the comments we have read, the 4Runner is certainly perceived as having way more cool factor. Picking an SUV isn’t always a rational decision, so for many people, just the tougher look with be enough to tip them in favor of the 4Runner.

But getting back to features, both have fully projector LED headlamps, LED turn signals, and even LED foglamps.

Moving to the side, this is where you can see their different missions once again. First of all, the Runner is riding on a body-on-frame platform and the Grand Highlander on a unibody platform. 

They both have their own unique advantages which will be discussed in detail later, but lengthwise, the 4Runner comes in about 6 inches shorter than the massive Grand Highlander. We will also talk about cabin space later in the interior section, but as far as the wheels, both come with 20-inch alloy wheels.

Lengths: Grand Highlander: 201.4-inches | 4Runner: 194.9-inches

Heading to the rears, they have the mostly the same feature set, including fully LED taillights. Only the 4Runner hides the rear wiper to keep it from being weathered as much, and capability-wise, they can tow up to 5,000 or 6,000 pounds in the Grand Highlander and 4Runner respectively.

Towing: Grand Highlander: 5,000 lbs. | 4Runner: 6,000 lbs.

Additional Features

Moving into some other individual features, both have nicely equipped mirrors with BSM, heating, and power-folding. They also both have the latest safety packages, which include every single active safety system as standard equipment. Only the fully-loaded Grand Highlander goes a step further and includes a traffic jam assist function, though.

BOTH: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 2yrs/24k

As different as the exteriors are, the inside is where they really diverge, so let’s dive into that.

Interior Design

So, walking up to the vehicles, both are obviously going to have smart entry systems and the same Toyota key fob. Additionally, both have sensors behind the handles to unlock the doors. That being said, only the 4Runner includes power running boards, a feature not offered on Grand Highlander.

That aside, looking into the cabins, you’ll find premium and luxurious spaces. First, let’s talk about the seats. Here, they are mostly the same besides for their blue and brown color schemes. Both seats are finished in real leather, with the Grand Highlander’s also adding a little suede, and they have heating, ventilation and memory abilities. However, it’s only the 4Runner with 4-way lumbar support making it 12-way adjustable compared to 10.

Let’s fully climb inside and talk about the overall cabin materials. Here, honestly, neither of them will leave you overly impressed for their over $60,000 price tags. The interiors are made up of a quality mixture of soft and hard touch plastics, and leatherette in different places. Overall, we’ll call this area even between the two.

Now after we start them up, you will be greeted by two fully digital 12.3-inch displays, the 4Runner’s finished with Toyota’s truck graphics. When you look up, there are also large head-up displays projected out. 

Even though these aren’t Lexus products, we also have rain-sensing wipers, heated steering wheels, and even power adjustment on the 4Runner.

Storage and Technology

Now the next major area to evaluate is interior storage, where they really start to separate. Remember how I said the Grand Highlander is family focused? Well, Toyota made a massive center console, and according to our signature donut volume test fits over 2 dozen donuts. That’s significantly more than the 4Runner, even though its storage solutions are quite good as well, with a large storage bin and passenger storage shelf. Still, the Grand Highlander easily takes the storage point between the two.

Note: Both have wireless phone charging pads

Part of the reason for that advantage is the Highlander’s electronic shifter compared to the traditional one in the 4Runner, and when you shift into reverse, they both display the same 360-degree cameras. 

For the climate controls, the Grand Highlander has a 3-zone setup vs. dual zone setup in the 4Runner, but both adjust it with easy-to-use knobs buyers will appreciate.

Alrighty, that brings us to the audio systems, so let’s sample them. Both have JBL systems with decent audio quality. The Grand Highlander has 3 less speakers at 11 vs. the 14 speakers in the 4Runner, and the 4Runner also has the cool party trick of having a portable speaker that charges in the dashboard and can be removed for camping or beach adventures. That’ll give it the advantage.

4Runner: 14-speaker JBL Premium audio (with removable speaker)

Grand Highlander: 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio

Now moving on to the screens, you might’ve expected this area to be the same, but as you can see that’s certainly not the case. In the 4Runner, we have a massive 14-inch touchscreen, compared to the Grand Highlander’s more traditional 12.3-inch display. That’s 14% more screen real estate, and both are running the same Toyota software with wireless AA and ACP and built-in navigation.

Up above, both SUV’s include auto-dimming rearview mirrors, HomeLink garage door openers plus the rear camera ability. And finally, you’ll find a traditional size moonroof in the 4Runner compared to a panoramic style in Grand Highlander.

Rear Seats and Cargo

As we move to the rear areas, as expected, these two will be very different because of their different missions in the Toyota lineup. That starts with the space with the Grand Highlander having a large 13% advantage in legroom, although headroom is roughly the same.

4Runner: 34.8-inches of legroom | 37.8-inches of headroom

GH: Legroom: 39.5-inch | Headroom: 38.5-inch

Features-wise, they have rear air vents, 2 USB ports, and a household outlet. They both also have heated back seats for these Platinum models, and Grand Highlander goes a step further and adds rear seat ventilation – not offered on 4Runner.

Continuing with the differences, Grand Highlander also includes rear sunshades and it’s the only one that can get captain’s chairs in if that matters to you.

Also important to note here is the third-row situation. Grand Highlander focuses strongly on having a good third row, standard on all versions, but only some of the 4Runners trims can be had with a third row, if you must have it. Those trims do not include this Platinum version, but if you’re willing to sacrifice a few features, you can add it on to the Limited trim one rung below. Even if you do elect to have one of those trims, 4Runner’s third row still won’t be nearly as comfortable as the Grand Highlander’s third row.

Now moving around back to the cargo, both have hands-free power tailgates, but only the 4Runner has its famous power sliding glass function, which allows you to roll it down while driving.

Once open, while most families will be happy with both SUVs, the Grand Highlander cannot be overcome in this regard. It’s absolutely massive and has a 35% advantage behind the 2nd row of seats, and an 18% advantage with all the seats folded down. Simply put, if you need more seats for the family and space to bring their stuff along, the Grand Highlander is the better choice.

4Runner: 42.6/82.6 cu.ft

GH: Behind 3^rd Row: 20.6-cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 57.9-cu.ft | MAX: 97.5-cu.ft

Amenities-wise, they are identically equipped with power outlets, spare tires, and no handles to fold the seats from the cargo area.

But that’s it for the insides, so now let’s take them out on the road, and see how they stack up there!

Powertrains

So, throughout the video, you’ve seen quite a lot of overlap but also quite a lot of differences between these siblings. When it comes to what’s under the hood, they have some similarities, but they are far from the same setup. The 4Runner is using Toyota’s new truck-based iForce MAX hybrid system which utilizes a 2.4L Turbo I-4 and electric components to make 326 horsepower and 465 lb. ft. of torque. 

Grand Highlander, on the other hand, uses the crossover Hybrid Max powertrain which also uses a 2.4L Turbo I-4 but with different electric components. All told, it makes significantly more horsepower at 362 vs. 326, but less torque. That’s of course intentional, given 4Runner buyers are much more likely to be using torque for towing.

4Runner: 2.4L Turbo I-4 + electric motor: 326 hp | 465 lb.ft of torque

GH: 2.4L Turbo-4 w/ front electric motor and rear e-axle: 362 hp | 400 lb ft of torque

As far as the transmissions are concerned, we have 8 and 6 speed automatics in the 4Runner and Grand Highlander respectively. Both perform well with their respective hybrid systems, and power is put down via AWD in the Highlander vs. full-time 4WD in the 4Runner. 

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

That’s part of the reason that when the pavement ends, the 4Runner is extremely capable. Its body-on-frame architecture gives it a tough starting structure, and then it has off-road features such as the standard center locking diff, multi-terrain select, and crawl control. This is one of the biggest areas of advantage the 4Runner has, if you frequently go off the beaten path.

But owners won’t always be off-road, so let’s talk about on-road manners. Here, the tides turn in the Grand Highlander’s favor. While the Platinum 4Runner comes standard with adaptive dampers, it still lets in quite a lot of truck-like vibrations and exhibits more body roll than the crossover-based Highlander. Simply put, the Grand Highlander will be much more comfortable and feel more agile when on those long family road trips.

Here at Car Confections, something we like to do is take sound level readings for all the models we test so that we can compare them. At 55 MPH, the Grand Highlander came in about 4dB quieter but that isn’t the whole story since we tested the 4Runner on a rough California road.  That means we’ll have to wait to get an official Kentucky reading in the 4Runner before scoring.

4Runner: 57.1 dB @ 55 MPH (SoCal)

GH: 53.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, you might expect these Toyota hybrids to get the same fuel economy. However, the 4Runner’s more capability-focused hybrid system delivers about 4 less MPG’s combined than the Grand Highlander.

4Runner 4×4: 23/24/23 MPG

GH AWD: 26/27/27 MPG

Value assessment

But now we need to revisit that price difference at the beginning. In this comparison, the 4Runner costs $5,155 more than the Grand Highlander.

I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Winner!

Well, there you have it! Even after considering everything, it’s still a tight race! But let’s talk about who should be “your” winner based on what matters most to you:

4Runner:

• Off road capability + towing
• Tough design
• Few feature advantages (power running boards)

GH:

• Family comfort on long trips (comfortable ride/features)
• Space (third row)
• Fuel economy

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!