Spacious and capable: toyota highlander vs pathfinder – which suv meets your needs?

What To Know

  • The Highlander has a slightly larger touchscreen than the Pathfinder, and it also offers a few more standard features, such as SiriusXM satellite radio and a rear-seat entertainment system.
  • The Toyota Highlander has a slightly larger interior than the Nissan Pathfinder, with more headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats.
  • The Toyota Highlander has slightly better fuel economy than the Nissan Pathfinder, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder are two of the most popular SUVs on the market. Both offer a spacious interior, versatile seating configurations, and a range of advanced features. But which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Toyota Highlander vs. Pathfinder head-to-head to help you make an informed decision.

Exterior Design

The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder have distinct exterior designs. The Highlander features a sleek and modern look with a bold grille and angular headlights. The Pathfinder, on the other hand, has a more rugged and muscular appearance with a boxy shape and large, flared fenders.

Interior Space and Comfort

Both the Highlander and Pathfinder offer spacious interiors with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Highlander has a slightly larger interior volume than the Pathfinder, with more headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. However, the Pathfinder has a more versatile interior with an available third row of seating that can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Engine Performance and Fuel Economy

The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder offer a range of engine options. The Highlander comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The Pathfinder also comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, but it produces slightly less power at 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Highlander has a slight edge over the Pathfinder. The Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The Pathfinder gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

Safety Features

Both the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder come standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features. These features include:

  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane departure warning
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert

The Highlander also offers a few additional safety features that are not available on the Pathfinder, such as:

  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Intersection support

Technology and Infotainment

The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder both offer a variety of technology and infotainment features. These features include:

  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Navigation system
  • Premium audio system

The Highlander has a slightly larger touchscreen than the Pathfinder, and it also offers a few more standard features, such as SiriusXM satellite radio and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Pricing and Value

The Toyota Highlander has a slightly higher starting price than the Nissan Pathfinder. However, the Highlander also offers more standard features than the Pathfinder, so it provides a better value overall.

Takeaways

The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder are both excellent SUVs that offer a spacious interior, versatile seating configurations, and a range of advanced features. The Highlander has a slightly larger interior, better fuel economy, and more standard safety features. The Pathfinder has a more rugged exterior design, a more versatile interior with available third-row seating, and a lower starting price. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

What People Want to Know

Q: Which SUV has a more spacious interior?
A: The Toyota Highlander has a slightly larger interior than the Nissan Pathfinder, with more headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats.

Q: Which SUV has better fuel economy?
A: The Toyota Highlander has slightly better fuel economy than the Nissan Pathfinder, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

Q: Which SUV has more standard safety features?
A: The Toyota Highlander has more standard safety features than the Nissan Pathfinder, including pedestrian detection, cyclist detection, and intersection support.

Q: Which SUV has a lower starting price?
A: The Nissan Pathfinder has a lower starting price than the Toyota Highlander.

Q: Which SUV is better overall?
A: The Toyota Highlander is a better overall SUV than the Nissan Pathfinder, offering a more spacious interior, better fuel economy, and more standard safety features.