Compare the2023 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 527 to 1002 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander has not been fully tested, yet.

The Highlander Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 62 more horsepower (243 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander Hybrid gets better mileage than the Outlander:

Regenerative brakes improve the Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outlander doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Highlander Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Highlander Hybrid has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (17.1 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Highlander Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Outlander (6 to 7). This means the Highlander Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outlander every 15,000 miles.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Outlander (112.2 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Highlander Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Highlander Hybrid has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Highlander Hybrid has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Highlander Hybrid has 15.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (141.3 vs. 125.5).

The Highlander Hybrid has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.6 inches more third row headroom, 9.3 inches more third row legroom, 3.5 inches more third row hip room and 3.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander Hybrid. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the Highlander Hybrid and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Highlander Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Highlander Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over five to one during 2022.