For the past century, the Toyota Highlander has been a family favorite midsize three-row SUV because of its comfort, practicality, and steadfast reliability. The trouble is, there are now so many Toyota Highlander competitors to choose from in the ever more crowded SUV space, so it is no longer just a question of which trim, drive type, and powertrain you want your Toyota Highlander to have. There is also less choice in these things now than before, as the base front-wheel-drive Highlander has been dropped for 2026, resulting in a price hike for the model.It might be that a $45k all-wheel-drive Toyota Highlander is the perfect SUV for you, or perhaps one of the many cars similar to the Toyota Highlander might give better value for money. To make figuring this out easier, we have ranked ten Toyota Highlander equivalents from ten different manufacturers in terms of their price, starting with the most expensive base price and finishing with the least expensive. By the end of this article, you will know how well these SUVs do in terms of comfort, features, efficiency, space, and road manners to make an informed decision for your next purchase.This article features some alternatives to the Toyota Highlander in terms of segment and specifications. This list is not exhaustive. Specs listed are for the base trim of each model. Prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, and fees. Manufacturers reserve the right to change prices at any time without notice. We rank these Toyota Highlander competitors by MSRP, starting with the highest and finishing with the lowest. Toyota Highlander Overview 2020 - 2025 Toyota Highlander HybridBut first, let's look at the current-generation Toyota Highlander to understand why so many consumers have gone for it over the years, and what all the Highlander competitors on this list need to do in order to tempt them away. The Toyota Highlander came into being in 2000 as a road-going alternative to the brand’s more adventure-oriented cars like the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner. Its second generation added a third row of seats and the third generation allowed for seating for up to eight people.The third and latest generation of the Toyota Highlander began production in 2019 and brought with it the latest Toyota styling and technology, as well as even more cargo and passenger space than before. It was initially offered with a 3.5-liter 295-hp V6 but in 2023, this was replaced by a 265-hp turbo-four to meet emissions regulations. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid was also available. We at CarBuzz think that while the third row of seats is only good for kids and other cars might be more striking on the outside and more upscale on the inside, few cars master the basics like fuel economy, comfort, safety, and also resale value quite as well as the Toyota Highlander. 2026 Honda Pilot MSRP: $42,195 2025 Honda Pilot Black EditionNow on to all the Toyota Highlander alternatives, and the first one is the Honda Pilot, a car that nails the fundamentals just like the Toyota. Take one for a test drive, and you will be more than satisfied with the pulling power on offer, as, unlike the Toyota, the Pilot is available with a 285-hp V6 engine. The smooth power delivery from this and the ten-speed automatic transmission helps it to be a competent family hauler, but fuel efficiency is predictably slightly worse in the Honda, which does 25 mpg on the highway compared to Toyota’s 28 mpg.On the inside, the Pilot has a fair amount of plastics on show, but then so does the Toyota. The difference is that if you move up to more high-end trims of the Highlander, the cheaper materials can be swapped out for more premium ones, whereas in the Pilot, they can’t. Both the Highlander and the Pilot have three rows of chairs with the option of having seating for eight people, but this only tells part of the story. For all passengers except those in the front row, the Honda Pilot provides more legroom, and there is more cargo space behind the first, second, and third row of seats. 2026 Chevrolet Traverse MSRP: $40,800 2024 - 2026 Chevrolet TraverseBeing one of the bigger cars on this list in terms of overall size, the Chevrolet Traverse has a third row of seats that can actually accommodate adults. It also has enough power to haul them along as well, should you need to, thanks to its 2.5-liter turbo-four, which produces 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. You will never mistake it for a performance SUV, however, as the 0–60 time is a leisurely 7.3 seconds. Most of these cars, like the Toyota Highlander, are focused on their on-road capabilities, with some off-road capability thrown in, but the Traverse, with its Z71 package, takes things further.The defining feature of the Chevrolet Traverse’s cabin is the main infotainment screen because, at 17.7 inches, it’s the biggest in its class. This and the 11-inch instrument display 28.7 inches of screen real estate. The sky is the limit when it comes to available features, with tri-zone climate control, ventilated seats, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, and Chevrolet’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system all being available. The Highlander still has the Traverse beat in terms of economy, however, and the Traverse has also been criticized for having an unrefined engine sound when underway. 2026 Subaru Ascent MSRP: $40,795 2025 Subaru AscentSubaru’s largest SUV, the Ascent, has been in production for around as long as the current Toyota Highlander, and if anything, looks even less flashy than the Toyota. This might go some way to explaining the somewhat poor sales it has had over this decade, but we think you would do well not to overlook it. Like the Toyota, it comes with AWD as standard, and in typical Subaru fashion, it is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine, which is mated to a continuously variable transmission. There is also a whole host of equipment like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and heated seats, available as standard.The boxer engine is responsive at least off the line, and matching the speed of other cars on the freeway is also not too nerve-wracking. The communicative steering also makes the Ascent pleasant to drive, if not fun. The Ascent also matches the Highlander for passenger space, but not in terms of cargo space. Apart from an enlargement of the infotainment screen, the interior has not been updated since 2019, and it hasn’t aged as well as the Highlander's. Both the Toyota Highlander and the Subaru Ascent’s base models get AWD, but the new, higher price of the Highlander means the Ascent now has a lower starting price than the Toyota. 2026 Nissan Pathfinder MSRP:$39,900 2026 Nissan Pathfinder -3597While the Subaru Ascent is great value, it still has a starting price of over $40k, unlike this Nissan Pathfinder. The name of this car speaks of great off-roading credentials, but it has recently morphed into a car much more similar to the Highlander. You’ll find it to be as roomy as the Toyota in many respects, capable of transporting up to eight people in certain specifications, and it's quiet on the inside when cruising.Thanks to its 3.5-liter V6, which develops 284 hp or 295 hp in the more off-road oriented Rock Creek trim, the Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lbs whereas the Highlander can’t tow more than 5,000 lbs. While the Rock Creek trim takes things to the max with roof rails, a fog light, and all-terrain tires, this spoils the smooth, on-road driving dynamics for marginal off-road gains. Inside, the materials are solid, and the Pathfinder is easy enough to see out of. Only the base model gets the more basic cloth upholstery on the seats, and moving up the trims gets you semi-aniline seats that can be heated and ventilated. Like the Toyota, however, the third row is only big enough for kids. 2026 Hyundai Palisade MSRP: $39,435 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited The all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the newest car on this list, and quite frankly, it shows. Riding on a slightly updated version of the platform it shares with its Hyundai Motor Group stablemate, the Kia Telluride, the new Palisade exhibits a bold new design language. With a large grille, blocky headlights, and a stylish silver C-pillar, the new Palisade looks even more upscale than the old one. It is also just as exquisite inside, with a large curved dash that houses the large infotainment and driver information displays side by side, and a decent array of buttons and knobs. The Calligraphy trim takes the luxury even further, with Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and wood trim, helping it to feel more like a Genesis.We found the new Palisade to be one of the most convincing family SUVs to drive when we test drove it last summer, with its nicely weighted steering, superb body control, and smooth power delivery from the V6 Engine. The only slightly annoying aspect was the transmission, which always seemed to upshift when you otherwise wouldn’t in a bid to save fuel. This feature also doesn’t stop the Palisade from being slightly let down by its fuel economy, as we averaged 19 mpg in our test. Hyundai has solved this, however, as it is available with a 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid powertrain, which returns 29 mpg, according to the EPA. It is the Palisade's style, luxury, and exceptional all-round family car capability that won it the coveted Best Family Car award at last year’s Buzz Awards. 2026 Volkswagen Atlas MSRP: $39,310 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportThe only European car on this list, you can rely on Volkswagen, the makers of the “people’s cars," to offer a large, affordable, family-friendly SUV. Not too long ago, however, it was producing the Touareg, which was an attempt to compete in the more premium SUV space. In 2017, the larger, more sensible Atlas came along, which better reflects the brand’s "for-the-masses" ethos. It also has space for more of the masses than a lot of the cars on this list, as being the biggest in terms of overall size means there is space for adults, even in the third row of seats. There isn’t the option of seating for eight, like there is in the Highlander, but there is considerably more room for your stuff behind the first, second, and third row of seats.The two refreshes it has received have addressed its previous lack of style, with the larger front grille and light bar at the top of it, improved materials and a larger screen on the inside. The second of the two refreshes in 2024 also brought with it a new powertrain, as Volkswagen did what Toyota had done the previous year and ditched the Atlas’ 276-hp V6 engine in favor of a 269-hp four-cylinder powertrain. As well as nearly matching the old engine’s power, the new one also provides better responses and allows for a 5,000-lb towing capacity. Other Highlander rivals, like the Maza CX-90, are more enjoyable to drive, and the Toyota itself also beats the VW Atlas in terms of fuel economy. 2027 Kia Telluride MSRP: $39,190 23921-2027-telluride-x-pro-front-quarterThe brand-new Telluride released for the 2027 model year hopes to continue the successes of the first generation, which many touted as a Highlander beater. It makes a good start, with a starting price considerably lower than the Highlander, and it offers even more style, space, and comfort than before. It has a boxy profile and a vertical lighting arrangement, making it similar to its Hyundai Palisade corporate cousin and giving it what we call “Range Rover vibes.” Compared to the Highlander from Toyota, it looks like it comes from a different decade because, well... it does. The interior is clean, airy, and incorporates clever AI for the voice assistant, and you can make the first, second, and third row of seats heated.We also know the Telluride will be powered by a turbo-four engine, despite the Palisade clinging to its V6 engine. The new inline four-cylinder engine produces 274 hp, which is less than before, but the hybrid version of the Telluride offers more power as well as more economy. This version will have a combined output of 329 hp and will do (in FWD form) up to 39 mpg. There is also an X-pro trim that offers more ground clearance and even more off-road features than before. We are very much looking forward to doing a Kia Telluride Toyota Highlander comparison in the future. 2026 Mazda CX-90 MSRP: $38,800 2026-Mazda-CX-90-Exterior (3)While this car hasn’t been as successful as the Kia “Selluride,” it deserves to become a sleeper hit. This is because, with a double wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear suspension, feel-good steering, and characterful engines, this is a car for families where the person doing the driving is a gearhead. Its 3.3-liter inline-six can come in two different states of tune, 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque in the turbo, and 319 hp and 369 lb-ft in the Turbo S. There is also a four-cylinder hybrid version that produces 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All versions send power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it has pleasing dynamics, comfort, and driving ease are still intact.The driving experience is far from the CX-90’s only USP, and so is its premium cabin. It is not just the quality of the materials, but also the design language and the comfort of the seats that impress, and make it a lovely place to sit. Of course, it isn’t perfect; the infotainment system is incredibly clunky, cargo space is less than what there is in the Toyota, and like the Highlander, it bites off a bit more than it can chew in terms of fitting a third row of passengers. There is also a lack of stowage space in the center console, but these are minor issues when the rest of this Mazda is so compelling. 2026 Ford Explorer MSRP: $38,465 2025 Ford Explorer ST front, sideThe Ford Explorer, like the Toyota Highlander, has always been a staple in the three-row family wagon segment. It is now in its sixth generation and saw a mid-cycle refresh last year, which updated the front fascia on the outside, and gave the Explorer larger screens on the inside. As well as this, the main thing that helps the Explorer stand out from its rivals, especially the Highlander, is the amount of choice it provides. Unlike the Toyota, which has got rid of its V6 engine and is now only available with all-wheel drive, the Ford Explorer can still be had with either RWD or AWD, and can be powered either by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a twin-turbo V6.The turbo-four produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and the V6 produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The former powers all Explorer trims except for the ST and will see the Explorer get from 0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the latter is now restricted to the ST and gets the Explorer to 60 mph in a faster 5.3 seconds. The unibody construction means it is far better suited to on-road driving than off-roading, and you can even get sports suspension on the ST version. The improvements made to the interior are noticeable, but they just bring the explorer into line with the competition, and it doesn’t stand out in any meaningful way. The third row of seats is also easily accessible but quite cramped. 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee MSRP: $37,095 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4x4The Jeep Grand Cherokee is, with a starting MSRP of just over $37,000, the cheapest Toyota Highlander rival on this list. It is also one of the most capable off-road vehicles, with this ability being baked into the Grand Cherokee’s recipe for its nearly 35-year history. Of course, paying the base price will only get you rear-wheel drive, and the Grand Cherokee is a strictly two-row SUV, and opting for all-wheel drive or the larger three-row version will set you back significantly more dollars. But the question you must ask yourself is: how often do you need to carry six passengers, or traverse the most challenging trails in your family SUV? Most of the other cars on this list are not even built for off-roading, and many have a third row of seats you can barely use anyway.The Grand Cherokee has an interior that is overall more premium than the one in the Toyota Highlander, and you are only limited by your wallet in terms of what comfort and convenience features you want in it. You can have leather, open-pore wood, and even a 19-speaker McIntosh sound system. The Grand Cherokee is also the only car on this list to be available with a third infotainment screen for the front row passenger. Being a car that has always had to combine off-road capability with on-road manners, you should expect the Grand Cherokee to be as pleasant to drive as the next family SUV, and it feels composed and assured. The Pentastar V6, however, is starting to show its age, and its economy is nowhere near as good as it is in the Toyota Highlander.Sources: Honda, Chevrolet, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Ford, Jeep