Compare the2025 Toyota HighlanderVS 2025 Genesis GV80

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Genesis GV80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Compared to metal, the Highlander’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Highlander and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander’s reliability 34 points higher than the GV80.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 18th.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the GV80:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GV80 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the GV80’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Toyota Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 650 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

The Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GV80 can only carry up to 7.

The Highlander has 1 inch more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom and 1.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

The Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander 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 GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GV80’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Highlander’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis GV80 isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Genesis GV80 by almost 9 to one during 2023.