Toyota Highlander vs. Volkswagen Touareg
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Touareg contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Toyota Highlander and the Volkswagen Touareg.
When comparing the Toyota Highlander's and the Volkswagen Touareg's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Volkswagen Touareg has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Highlander's and the Volkswagen Touareg's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2017 Toyota Highlander ranges from $18,900 to $29,995 while a used 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is priced between $15,499 to $27,990.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota Highlander’s base engine makes 185 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Touareg base engine makes 280 horsepower. The Highlander is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 461 miles. The Touareg is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 607 miles.This gives the Toyota Highlander the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Touareg the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Highlander has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Volkswagen Touareg has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Toyota Highlander has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$30,630
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$29,141
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$21,195 - $34,210
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$49,495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,545
Price Range:
$18,900 - $29,995
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$19,906
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$12,544 - $29,613
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
554
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
102,117
# Good or Great Deals:
259
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,101
Price Range:
$15,499 - $27,990
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
22
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
95,931
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Toyota Highlander Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Touareg Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Highlander
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 6.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
67.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Touareg
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.3 - 10.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Toyota Highlander Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 39Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 39Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
18 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 59Volkswagen Touareg Rankings
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Toyota Highlander Trim Levels
LE, LE Plus, Limited, Limited Platinum, SE, XLE
Volkswagen Touareg Trim Levels
V6 Executive, V6 Sport, V6 Wolfsburg
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years / 25000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
185 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.044 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
280 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
266 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
7716 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 24 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 461 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
449 / 607 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
83.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
158.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
32.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
64 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
135.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4165 lbs
Width:
75.8 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
192.5 inches
Wheelbase:
109.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4696 lbs
Width:
76.4 inches
Height:
68.2 inches
Length:
188.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Brown
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Gray
Predawn Gray Mica
Green
Alumina Jade Metallic
Red
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Silver
Celestial Silver Metallic
White
Blizzard Pearl
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Moonlight Blue Pearl / Reef Blue Metallic
Brown
Black Oak Brown Metallic
Gray
Canyon Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Deep Red Metallic
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Gold
Sand Gold Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Ash
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black Anthracite
Gray
Not available
Beige
Cornsilk Beige