Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Toyota Sienna, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. The Grand Highlander was notably large, measuring 5,115 millimetres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering a spacious interior that rivalled the Kia Telluride. Its design, while conservative, drew inspiration from rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style akin to the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It boasted features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large centre console, making it a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, in its sixth generation, retained its rugged design with a more industrial personality. It featured horseshoe-shaped grilles and deep beveled creases on the side body panels, giving it a broad-shouldered stance. The design paid homage to previous generations, with elements like the slanted rearmost window. Inside, the 4Runner shared similarities with the Tacoma pickup truck, featuring a purposeful and comfortable cabin with an abundance of hard plastic for durability. The materials quality was superior to that of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, though not as refined as a Land Rover Defender. The 4Runner's interior was designed for practicality, with controls that were easy to use even with gloves on, and features like colour-changing fog lights for challenging conditions. Despite its ruggedness, the 4Runner offered a more composed ride on pavement compared to its predecessor.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base model featured a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors, generating 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive, and the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was equipped with three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. While the Grand Highlander excelled in acceleration and braking, its steering feel was somewhat numb, and its large size made it less maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner came with two engine choices. The entry-level model featured a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 317 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful Hybrid i-Force Max powertrain combined the four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and an electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid variant offered stronger power at lower speeds, ideal for off-roading. The 4Runner's new generation was quieter and more composed on pavement, with improved handling and reduced body roll. It offered eight distinct packages with varying off-road capabilities, with the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models being the most capable. Despite added comfort, the 4Runner maintained its all-terrain prowess, with features like a locking rear differential and a stabilizer bar for improved wheel articulation.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. This translated to a spacious interior with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, surpassing the Kia Telluride by over 300 litres. With seats in position, it offered 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, making it comfortable for adults even in the third row. Its design prioritized comfort and visibility, with a big greenhouse offering good outward views.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner was nearly 13 centimetres longer than its predecessor, with a 6-centimetre increase in wheelbase. However, the gains in passenger space were minimal. The front seats offered plenty of room for taller passengers, but the middle row was less accommodating, with adequate legroom and headroom. A third row was available on non-hybrid models, but it was cramped and lacked thigh support. The cockpit was well-organized, with controls designed for ease of use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner offered several off-road features, including terrain programs and camera views for navigating tough terrain. Cargo capacity measured 1,371 litres behind the second row, reduced to 1,206 litres in the Hybrid model due to the raised floor for batteries. A sturdy roof rack compensated for cargo deficits, supporting a static load of 360 kilograms.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous models. It offered an intelligent assistant activated by voice commands, cloud-based navigation, and 24/7 live agent assistance through a connected-services subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on Limited and Platinum trims. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available. While Toyota's tech offerings had improved, buyers were advised to review subscription options carefully.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a larger 14-inch option available. Both were user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a charging pad. Hybrid variants included a digital instrument panel, and off-road models featured external camera views for trail navigation. A 14-speaker JBL premium audio system was available, along with a portable centre speaker. Remote monitoring and control were accessible through a smartphone app, and a digital key function allowed phone-based access. These features marked a significant advancement for the 4Runner, aligning it with competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum grade offered traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner also lacked crash test results from the NHTSA and IIHS, but the Tacoma pickup on which it was based was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 4Runner included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring frontal collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, and automatic high beams. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be disabled if intrusive. In Canada, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard.