Subaru Forester vs Toyota Grand Highlander

2026 Subaru Forester
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
$43,320MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
$43,320MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1998-Present

Years produced

2024-Present

MSRP

$29,995

MSRP

$43,320

Listings

9368

Listings

4102

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Pros

  • Impressive off-road capability

  • Lots of utility

  • Good safety ratings

Cons

  • Potentially polarizing design

  • Sluggish performance

  • Dissatisfying infotainment system

Pros

  • Plenty of cargo space

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Multiple powertrain options

Cons

  • Poor handling

  • Too many subscription-dependent tech features

Reviews Summary

To create the 2026 Forester Wilderness, Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Drivetrain modifications enhance traction, added underbody protection prevents damage when off-roading, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire is ready when you need it. Styling changes convey this model’s rugged capabilities, and Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up. All 2026 Forester models get a new center console design and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

Verdict: Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you’ll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you’re not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations.

Reviews Summary

If you have more than a couple of kids, chances are good that a regular Toyota Highlander won’t be big enough for all your needs. For many shoppers like you, the Kia Telluride and its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, have become the obvious choices. Those three-row crossovers are newer, bigger, and incredibly nice to drive.

But now there’s a new Highlander. A bigger Highlander. A Grand Highlander. This all-new model takes a popular nameplate (which, don't worry, isn’t going anywhere) and adds a little extra space. But what separates the Grand Highlander from the field is the availability of not one, but two different hybrid powertrains. This all-new model offers plenty of space, good fuel efficiency, and Toyota’s sterling reputation for reliability. So, is the 2024 Grand Highlander an immediate threat to the hot-selling Kia Telluride?

Search for a Toyota Grand Highlander on CarGurus

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 180 hp H4

Engine

2.4L 265 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

8

Horsepower

Horsepower

265 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

26

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

33

MPG Highway

28
2026 Subaru Forester
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
$43,320MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
$43,320MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1998-Present
2024-Present
MSRP
$29,995
$43,320
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.4

4.6

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Impressive off-road capability

  • Lots of utility

  • Good safety ratings

Cons

  • Potentially polarizing design

  • Sluggish performance

  • Dissatisfying infotainment system

Pros

  • Plenty of cargo space

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Multiple powertrain options

Cons

  • Poor handling

  • Too many subscription-dependent tech features

Summary

To create the 2026 Forester Wilderness, Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Drivetrain modifications enhance traction, added underbody protection prevents damage when off-roading, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire is ready when you need it. Styling changes convey this model’s rugged capabilities, and Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up. All 2026 Forester models get a new center console design and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

Verdict: Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you’ll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you’re not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations.

If you have more than a couple of kids, chances are good that a regular Toyota Highlander won’t be big enough for all your needs. For many shoppers like you, the Kia Telluride and its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, have become the obvious choices. Those three-row crossovers are newer, bigger, and incredibly nice to drive.

But now there’s a new Highlander. A bigger Highlander. A Grand Highlander. This all-new model takes a popular nameplate (which, don't worry, isn’t going anywhere) and adds a little extra space. But what separates the Grand Highlander from the field is the availability of not one, but two different hybrid powertrains. This all-new model offers plenty of space, good fuel efficiency, and Toyota’s sterling reputation for reliability. So, is the 2024 Grand Highlander an immediate threat to the hot-selling Kia Telluride?

Search for a Toyota Grand Highlander on CarGurus

Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 180 hp H4
2.4L 265 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
8
Horsepower
265 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
26
21
MPG Highway
33
28
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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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