2025 Toyota Highlander vs the Competition

The Murano is completely redesigned for 2025. It features a bold appearance, derivative of the Ariya EV in exterior and interior. No longer V6-powered, it runs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine connected to a nine-speed transmission driving either the front or all four wheels. As there is no Murano hybrid, comparisons are with the non-hybrid Highlander, except where otherwise specified. 

• The Murano has no available third-row seat and no hybrid models.  

• With a half-liter greater displacement, the Highlander has more horsepower (265 hp vs. 245). 

• The Highlander also has more torque, available at lower rpm (310 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm vs. 260 @ 4,400). 

• In addition to having more power, the Highlander is more fuel-efficient. Nissan states that both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) Murano models have fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg (city), 27 (highway), and 23 (combined). The FWD Highlander is rated at 22/29/25 mpg, while the AWD model is rated at 21/28/24. 

• If mpg is a priority, the Murano has nothing close to the Highlander Hybrid combined mpg figures of 36/35/36 mpg for FWD and 35/35/35 for AWD. 

• The Highlander has a greater overall interior volume (157.8 cubic feet vs. 144.0). 

• Rear passengers will benefit from 2.5 additional inches of rear legroom in the Highlander (38.7 inches vs. 36.3). 

• The Highlander also offers slightly more shoulder and hip room for second-row passengers.  

• When configured for five-passenger seating, the Highlander has more cargo space than the Murano (48.4 cubic feet vs. 32.9) and more cargo space when all seats are folded (84.3 cubic feet vs. 63.5). 

• The maximum payload is also significantly greater for the Highlander (1,715 pounds vs. 1,407). 

• The Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Murano’s maximum towing capacity is only 1,500 pounds. 

• The Highlander has a standard separate climate control zone for rear passengers. This is not available on the Murano. 

The Honda Passport is a shortened five-passenger version of the brand’s third-generation three-row Pilot model. It is one of the few models in this segment that retains a V6 engine. Honda positions the Passport as its off-road adventure model and gives it AWD across the model line. Its trim levels are EX-L, Black Edition, and the off-road-leaning TrailSport. Unless otherwise specified, the Highlander LE AWD model will be compared to the Passport EX-L.  

• The Passport has no available third-row seat and no hybrid models.  

• The entry price for the Passport is $42,400, whereas the Highlander LS AWD is priced at $40,870. 

• The Highlander has a bit less horsepower than the Passport (265 hp vs. 280), but it boasts significantly greater torque (310 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm vs. 262 @ 4,700). 

• The AWD non-hybrid Highlander offers superior city, highway, and combined fuel economy compared to the Passport (21/28/24 mpg vs. 19/24/21). 

• The Highlander has a considerably higher maximum payload compared to the Passport (1,638 pounds vs. 948). 

• The Highlander’s turning circle is about two feet tighter (37.4 feet compared to 39.3), making it ideal for parking lots and other tight spaces. 

• The Highlander comes equipped with the convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All Passports necessitate a wired connection. 

The Blazer was originally a two-door, V8-powered SUV built on a short, full-sized truck chassis designed for off-road driving. The model was discontinued in the 1980s, but Chevrolet has revived the name for its mid-size crossover model, which features Camaro-inspired details in both the exterior and the interior. The five-seater is available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, as well as an optional non-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, featuring FWD on most models and AWD available or standard on all. The Blazer LT with the 3LT package is the most price-comparable to the entry-level Highlander LE. 

• The Blazer has no available third-row seat and no hybrid models.  

• When compared with the standard Blazer engine, the Highlander has more horsepower (265 hp vs. 228) and more torque (310 lb-ft vs. 258). 

• The Blazer with the optional V6 delivers more horsepower than the Highlander (308 hp vs. 265) but less torque (270 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm vs. 310 @ 1,700). 

• Though significantly more powerful, the non-hybrid Highlander FWD has the same city/highway/combined mpg rating as the Blazer FWD with 22/29/25 mpg. 

• The Highlander has a greater overall interior volume (157.8 cubic feet vs. 138.3). 

• When configured for five-passenger seating, the Highlander has more cargo space than the Blazer (48.4 cubic feet vs. 30.5) and more cargo space when all seats are folded (84.3 cubic feet vs. 64.2). 

• The Highlander’s 8.0-inch ground clearance exceeds the Blazer’s 7.5 inches. 

• The Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Blazer’s maximum towing capacity is only 1,500 pounds. 

• When three passengers are sitting in the second-row seat, the Highlander offers more hip room (57.0 inches vs. 54.2). 

• The Highlander has a separate climate control zone for rear passengers, which is not standard on the Blazer. 

• The Highlander is available with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Blazer has a 10.5-inch screen. 

• The Highlander has standard Wi-Fi hotspot capability, which is optional on the Blazer.

The Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first SUV. Like the Highlander, it was introduced for the 2001 model year. Debuting for the 2024 model year, the 2025 Santa Fe continues the fifth generation of this model line. This redesign marks the most comprehensive change in Santa Fe’s history, featuring a distinctly boxy design with numerous details, such as the “H” theme in the headlights, taillights, and interior vents. Like the Highlander, the Santa Fe offers three rows of seating. The Santa Fe is available with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, paired with an eight-speed double-clutch automatic. The model is also available as a hybrid, using a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Santa Fe is available in SE, SEL, Limited, XRT, and Calligraphy trim levels. The hybrid model is available in SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims.  

• The non-hybrid Highlander has a little less horsepower (265 hp vs. 277) and about the same torque (310 lb-ft vs. 311) as the Santa Fe. 

• The Highlander Hybrid produces more horsepower than the Santa Fe Hybrid (243 hp vs. 231). 

• The non-hybrid Highlander FWD has slightly better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Santa Fe FWD (22/29/25 mpg vs. 20/29/24). The same advantage applies to AWD models.  

• The Highlander provides more cubic feet of cargo volume in all configurations: 

• Behind the third row: 16.0 cu-ft vs. 14.6 

• Behind the second row: 48.4 cu-ft vs. 40.2 

• Behind the first row: 84.3 cu-ft vs. 79.6 

• The maximum payload is greater for the Highlander (FWD models): 

• Non-Hybrid: 1,715 pounds vs 1,191 

• Hybrid: 1,485 pounds vs. 1,224 

• The Highlander is capable of greater maximum towing capacity: 

• Non-Hybrid: 5,000 pounds vs. 3,500 

• Hybrid: 3,500 pounds vs. 2,000 

• The Highlander provides more shoulder room for second/third-row passengers (58.7/55.0 inches vs. 58.1/53.5). 

• The Highlander provides more hip room for second/third-row passengers (57.0/45.6 inches vs. 54.9/42.7).