Toyota Tacoma vs. Toyota Highlander
In comparing the Toyota Tacoma to the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Tacoma has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Tacoma versus the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Highlander is a better car than the Toyota Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma versus Toyota Highlander Pricing
A used 2023 Toyota Tacoma ranges from $31,994 to $50,230 while a used 2023 Toyota Highlander is priced between $38,184 to $52,981. For a new model, the Toyota Tacoma's price is between $30,726 and $48,936, with the Toyota Highlander priced between $39,607 and $52,766.
Toyota Tacoma versus Toyota Highlander Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Toyota Tacoma is 8.5 out of 10 while the Toyota Highlander's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Toyota Tacoma being ranked 2 out of 11 Best Midsize Trucks and the Toyota Highlander being ranked 1 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Toyota Tacoma’s base engine makes 159 horsepower, and the Toyota Highlander base engine makes 265 horsepower. The Tacoma is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 485 miles. The Highlander is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 519 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Toyota Highlander, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Toyota Tacoma, a midsize truck, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Toyota Highlander has higher safety ratings than the Toyota Tacoma, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$30,726 - $48,936
Used Asking Price:
$31,994 - $50,230
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
13.8%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$39,607 - $52,766
Used Asking Price:
$38,184 - $52,981
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
38.1%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Midsize Trucks with Best Resale Value
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 10iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 61Ranking
1 out of / 61Ranking
1 out of / 31Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 21SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value
Ranking
3 out of / 31Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
10 out of / 61Ranking
41 out of / 61Summary Review
Toyota’s Tacoma has been the sales leader in the midsize segment for decades. While other brands quit this market, Toyota continued to polish the gem that is the Tacoma pickup.
Summary Review
The Toyota Highlander is among the best-selling, top-rated SUVs in the 3-row segment.
Pros and Cons
- Wide range of trim levels and styles from affordable barebones to serious off-road
- Best in class retained value
- Strong track record of overall reliability
- Composite bed eliminates corrosion concerns
- Beware the recent few used years with transmission issues with some recent models
- Interior oddities like a low, flat seat
- Not as refined as most competitors, overdue for a full update
- Towing capability less than segment best
Pros and Cons
- Class-leading fuel economy
- No disappointing base engine
- Legendary reliability
- Poorly-rated headlights on L, LE, and XLE trims
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Cab Types
Not applicable
Available Bed Length(s)
60.5 inches, 73.7 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
Not applicable
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Limited, SR, SR V6, SR5, SR5 V6, Trail Special Edition, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, TRD Sport
Trim Levels
L, LE, Limited, Platinum, XLE, XSE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
159 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1685 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload :
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 23 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
422 / 485 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
394 / 519 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
24.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
85.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
157.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3915 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
70.6 inches
Length:
212.3 inches
Wheelbase:
127.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4155 lbs
Width:
76 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/75R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R18
