2026 Lexus RX vs. 2026 Toyota Highlander

Car Chomper says the Highlander starts significantly lower at $45,270 versus the RX's $49,725, a $4,455 gap, while the RX counters with 275 hp and 25 mpg combined against the Highlander's 265 hp and 24 mpg, though the Highlander offers standard AWD versus the base RX's FWD and a larger footprint, with the RX holding more cargo space at 29.6 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16, naming the Highlander better value with standard AWD, and the RX the pick for enthusiasts and cargo capacity. Automartusa says the RX seats 5 with a 9.8-inch touchscreen while the 7-seat Highlander offers 139.5 cubic feet of interior volume and a larger 12.3-inch display, and the RX carries a longer warranty at 48-month/50,000-mile basic and 72-month/70,000-mile powertrain coverage versus the Highlander's 36-month/36,000-mile and 60-month/60,000-mile.

Which to choose, and why

$4,455 cheaper Highlander with standard AWD; more power and cargo for the RX

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Highlander starts significantly lower at $45,270 versus the RX's $49,725, a $4,455 gap, while the RX counters with 275 hp and 25 mpg combined against the Highlander's 265 hp and 24 mpg, though the Highlander offers standard AWD versus the base RX's FWD and a larger footprint, with the RX holding more cargo space at 29.6 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16.

5 seats for the RX, 7 for the Highlander; longer warranty for the RX

Automartusa (opens in a new tab) says the RX seats 5 with a 9.8-inch touchscreen while the 7-seat Highlander offers 139.5 cubic feet of interior volume and a larger 12.3-inch display, and the RX carries a longer warranty at 48-month/50,000-mile basic and 72-month/70,000-mile powertrain coverage versus the Highlander's 36-month/36,000-mile and 60-month/60,000-mile.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Lexus RX or Toyota Highlander?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Highlander, by $4,455 at MSRP.

Does the Lexus RX seat 7 like the Toyota Highlander?

Automartusa (opens in a new tab) says no, the RX seats 5 while the Highlander seats 7.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Lexus RX: 4 records · Toyota Highlander: 3 records.

Decision field	Lexus RX	Toyota Highlander
Exact EPA records	4	3
Model / option labels	4	3
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	24–36 MPG/MPGe	24–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2200–3300 per year	$1850–2700 per year

Head to head

Lexus RX vs. Toyota Highlander: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Lexus RX	Toyota Highlander
Starting price (KBB base)	$51,975	$47,365
Top trim price (KBB base)	$73,310	$55,020
Horsepower	246-366 hp	265 hp
Torque	233-406 lb-ft	310 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.9-7.4 sec	n/a
Curb weight	4,310-4,750 lb	4,376-4,453 lb
Length	192.5 in	194.9-197.4 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in	112.2 in
Cargo volume	46.2 cu ft	n/a
Towing capacity	3,500 lb	5,000 lb
Seating	5 seats	7-8 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Toyota Highlander starts $4,610 lower: $47,365 against $51,975 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Lexus RX leads: 366 hp against 265 hp.
On peak torque, the Lexus RX leads: 406 lb-ft against 310 lb-ft.
The Lexus RX is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,310 lb against 4,376 lb.
On length, the Toyota Highlander leads: 197.4 in against 192.5 in.
Both list the same wheelbase: 112.2 in.
On maximum towing capacity, the Toyota Highlander leads: 5,000 lb against 3,500 lb.
On seating capacity, the Toyota Highlander leads: 8 seats against 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Lexus RX leads: 4 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Lexus RX and the Toyota Highlander.

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is a luxury crossover SUV sold since 1998 by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. Originally released in its home market of Japan in late 1997 as the Toyota Harrier, export sales began in March 1998 as the Lexus RX. Considered as the first luxury crossover SUV by many sources, five generations of the RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter classified as mid-size.

Source: Lexus RX (Wikipedia)

Models. The RX 200t FWD (AGL20) and the RX 200t AWD (AGL25) were revealed at the 2015 Auto Shanghai along with the facelifted Mk6 Lexus ES. Replacing the RX 270 (AGL10), the model is powered by the same 2.0-liter 8AR-FTS turbocharged inline-four engine as the NX 200t AGZ10. It is available in both front- and all-wheel drive.

Powertrain. The fourth-generation RX was awarded "Top Safety Pick+" in 2016 and 2017 by IIHS.

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

September 2026, Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can… Consequence: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
March 2026, Back Over Prevention:Software. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000. The Highlander was announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show, arriving in Japan in late 2000, and North America in January 2001.

Source: Toyota Highlander (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota Highlander overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

March 2026, Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Recliner. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment. Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. Consequence: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota Highlander, most often about vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Lexus RX4 configurations →02 · 2026Toyota Highlander3 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Lexus RX or the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Efficiency

The 2026 Lexus RX lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30 vs. the 2026 Toyota Highlander's 29.5 MPG/MPGe).