Family-friendly SUVs are a hallmark of the Toyota brand that are tailor-made for the family on the go – whether you enjoy off-road adventures in the Toyota 4Runner or family road trips in the redesigned Toyota Highlander. Mesa-area drivers who cannot decide which Toyota model is the right fit for them may find the answer they are looking for in this 2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Toyota Highlander comparison by Earnhardt Toyota.
Born and bred for adventure, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner caters to families who love the outdoors with a rugged body-on-frame platform that can handle extreme terrain. Toyota 4Runner entries are available in eight grades – SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Limited, Nightshade Edition and TRD Pro – with a price tag that starts at $36,120. A complete redesign has made the family-friendly 2020 Toyota Highlander even more attractive and athletic with five trim levels to choose from – L, LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum – with a base MSRP of $34,600.
Differences Between the 2020 Toyota 4Runner and 2020 Toyota Highlander
No matter which direction you decide to go in this 2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Toyota Highlander comparison, power and performance promise to be a highlight. Toyota 4Runner entries are powered by a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 engine that is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission to earn 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. When equipped for towing, the Toyota 4Runner will tow up to 5,000 pounds of cargo. 4Runner models are available with part-time 4WD with Active Traction Control or full-time 4WD with Active Traction Control and a Torsen® limited-slip center differential.
To deliver the power you need, the Toyota Highlander employs a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission that will achieve 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Toyota Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD will add unrivaled performance to the spec sheet. Toyota Highlander Hybrid variants employ a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors to make 243 horsepower. With the Continuously Variable Transmission and Electronic On-Demand AWD, the Highlander Hybrid will make 35 mpg combined.
Inside Toyota 4Runner and Toyota Highlander editions, you will find an impressive set of features and technology that will upgrade your day-to-day commute. The Toyota 4Runner comes standard with room for five passengers and 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Available third-row seating will make room for seven passengers. Toyota Highlander editions provide room for eight passengers in base trim levels and seven passengers with luxurious second-row Captain’s Chairs. Toyota Safety Sense™ safety systems and a Toyota Entune™ 3.0 touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Bluetooth are standard features for both Toyota SUVs in this comparison. Next-generation Toyota Highlander Platinum trims will add a best-in-class 12.3-inch Toyota Entune™ 3.0 touchscreen display.
