The Toyota RAV4 vs the Toyota Highlander: Which Is Right?
Deciding between the Toyota RAV4 and the Highlander? It all comes down to how much seating you need. Comparing the Toyota RAV4 vs. the Toyota Highlander is pretty straightforward, as both are among the most popular SUVs on our lot. Both Toyota SUVs offer all-wheel drive, are available as hybrids, and have plenty of room to spread out. The RAV4 is the smaller of the pair, and both are now hybrids, which puts their fuel efficiency in a different league. The Highlander adds a third row and a turbocharged gas engine that'll tow a lot more. In our Toyota SUV comparison below, we'll line up performance, space, and technology so you can pick the one that fits. You'll find both in our new Toyota inventory at Toyota of Bozeman.
Comparing Toyota RAV4 and Highlander Performance
Let’s start by comparing what’s under the hood:
| Spec: | Toyota RAV4: | Toyota Highlander: |
| Engine | 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder, every trim | 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder; 2.5L hybrid available |
| Horsepower | 226 hp (FWD) / 236 hp (AWD) | 265 hp (gas) / 243 hp (hybrid) |
| Transmission | ECVT with sequential shift mode | 8-speed automatic (gas) / ECVT (hybrid) |
| Fuel economy, combined | 38 to 43 mpg | 24 mpg (gas) / 35 mpg (hybrid) |
| Towing capacity | 1,750 lbs (FWD) / 3,500 lbs (AWD) | 5,000 lbs (gas) / 3,500 lbs (hybrid) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (8.5 in on Woodland) | 8.0 in |
| Fuel tank | 14.5 gal | 17.9 gal (gas) / 17.1 gal (hybrid) |
Toyota gave the RAV4 an all-hybrid setup, so there's no gas-only version of the compact left to choose from. RAV4 Fuel efficiency is hard to beat, with the RAV4 clearing 40 mpg combined in most configurations while the gas Highlander sits at 24 mpg. Hybrid Highlanders close most of that gap at 35 mpg, though they give up 1,500 pounds of towing to do it. If you pull a boat or a two-horse trailer, the gas Highlander is rated to handle it. If you don’t need to tow, the RAV4's fuel economy is hard to pass up. Both SUVs clear 8 inches of ground clearance, so a snowy gravel road won't stop either one. The RAV4 Woodland goes further, raising that to 8.5 inches and sharpening the approach angle to 20 degrees and the departure angle to 24 degrees. Stop by our Toyota dealership in Bozeman to drive them back-to-back.
The Toyota RAV4 vs the Toyota Highlander on Space
The three-row Highlander is the larger of the two, but both offer plenty of cargo space:
| Interior: | Toyota RAV4: | Toyota Highlander: |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 7 standard, 8 available |
| Rows | 2 | 3 |
| Cargo behind the last row | 37.8 cu ft | 16.0 cu ft |
| Cargo behind the second row | Not applicable | 48.4 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo volume | 69.8 to 70.4 cu ft | 84.3 cu ft |
| Passenger volume | 98.9 cu ft | 139.5 cu ft |
| Overall length | 181 in | 194.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3,594 to 3,847 lbs | 4,376 to 4,595 lbs |
Seat count is the biggest dividing line between the two Toyota SUVs. The Highlander carries seven people as standard and eight with the available second-row bench, while the RAV4 seats five. Behind that third row, though, you're left with 16.0 cubic feet of cargo space in the Highlander, which fits a stroller and a few bags of groceries. The RAV4 offers 37.8 cubic feet of space behind its rear seats without folding anything. A family of four packing for a week gets more usable space in the smaller SUV. Fold everything flat and the Highlander pulls ahead again, at 84.3 cubic feet against roughly 70 cubic feet in the RAV4.
There are six RAV4 trim levels, running from the LE up through the Limited with the trail-focused Woodland in between. Highlander trim levels include XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum on the gas side, and XLE, Limited, and Platinum on the hybrid side. If you regularly carry six or seven people, the Highlander is the clear choice. If you carry four and their gear, the RAV4 has the space you'll actually use, and it's roughly 14 inches shorter, making it easier to park downtown. Working with a tighter budget? Our certified pre-owned inventory is a good place to look for either one.
Toyota SUV Comparison: Technology and Safety
There are a few differences to be aware of when comparing the technology suites onboard:
| Technology: | Toyota RAV4: | Toyota Highlander: |
| Standard touchscreen | 10.5 inches | 8.0 inches |
| Largest touchscreen | 12.9 inches | 12.3 inches |
| Premium audio | 9-speaker JBL | 11-speaker JBL |
| Driver assistance suite | Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 | Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ |
The RAV4 is the newer of the two SUVs, and the technology shows up. Across its 6 trims, the RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, while the Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. Both cover the essentials, so you're getting a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist either way. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard on every trim of both SUVs, and the RAV4 version adds Safe Exit Alert. A Drive Recorder Dash Cam comes standard on every RAV4 too, capturing footage from the front and rear cameras. The Highlander answers on audio, since its 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system carries two more speakers than the RAV4's nine. Both systems add a subwoofer and an amplifier. Check our new vehicle specials before you make the call.
Which Toyota SUV Should You Buy in Bozeman?
Either one of these Toyotas will serve a Montana family well, so the choice comes down to how many seats you need. Go with the Highlander if a third row, 5,000 pounds of towing, or the bigger maximum cargo hold matters most to you. Go with the RAV4 if you're carrying four, want 40 mpg without plugging in, and want the newest driver assistance suite. Come test-drive the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota Highlander at Toyota of Bozeman today!