Are you considering getting either the 2023 Toyota Highlander or the 2023 Toyota 4Runner but can’t figure out which midsize SUV is best for you? The Highlander has some advantages in its favor. Here are four ways the 2023 Highlander is better than the 2023 4Runner.

2023 Toyota Highlander gets higher fuel economy than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The first way that the 2023 Toyota Highlander is better than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is its higher fuel economy. With expensive gasoline these days, a more efficient vehicle translates to saving at the fuel pump.

The standard Highlander model gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 25 combined mpg. And for even greater efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 36 combined mpg. In comparison, the 4Runner is quite a gas-guzzler, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 17 combined mpg.

2023 Highlander is safer than the 2023 4Runner

The second way that the 2023 Toyota Highlander is better than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is safety. One of the most respected authorities for safety evaluations is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For the previous model year, the Highlander earned the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. However, the 4Runner was left empty-handed. It wasn’t honored by IIHS for safety.

Midsize SUVs like the Highlander and 4Runner are popular with families. This makes the level of safety an important consideration when choosing which midsize SUV to get. It’s good to have the peace of mind that your family will be safe on your drives.

Toyota Highlander provides more passenger space than the 4Runner

The third way that the 2023 Highlander is better than the 2023 4Runner is passenger space. For families choosing which midsize SUV to get, available passenger space is another important consideration, and on this front, the Highlander is the superior choice. It can seat up to eight people and has a total passenger volume of 141.3 cu-ft.

In comparison, the 4Runner can seat up to five people for the two-row model and seven people for the three-row model. For passenger space, the 4Runner two-row provides 93.7 cu-ft, while the three-row model has 128.0 cu-ft. 

2023 Highlander is slightly more reliable than the 2023 4Runner

The fourth way that the 2023 Highlander is better than the 2023 4Runner is its slight edge for reliability. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 82/100, compared to 81/100 for the 4Runner. A reliable vehicle will more likely last for many miles and years — and not leave you stranded on the side of the road. Also, with greater reliability, there is usually less need for costly maintenance and repairs, resulting in savings. 

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is better than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner for fuel economy, safety, passenger space, and reliability. When deciding which midsize SUV to get, these are key factors to consider.

For more details about the 2023 Highlander, continue reading below.