Compare the2025 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander weighs 487 to 1312 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Outlander:

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

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 Grand Highlander’s warranty.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 64 more horsepower (245 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (265 vs. 181) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 181 more horsepower (362 vs. 181) and 219 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

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

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

The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (17.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Grand Highlander’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (17.8 vs. 14.5 gallons).

For better traction, the Grand Highlander has larger tires than the Outlander (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander’s wheelbase is 9.6 inches longer than on the Outlander (116.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

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

The Grand Highlander’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Grand Highlander more stable handling and braking.

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

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Grand Highlander has 27.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (153.3 vs. 125.5).

The Grand Highlander has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.7 inches more third row headroom, 14.8 inches more third row legroom, 3.6 inches more third row hip room and 6.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Grand Highlander’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 Grand Highlander. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Grand Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the Grand Highlander and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander’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 Grand 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 Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/Black Edition/SEL.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/Black Edition/SEL.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade 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 Grand Highlander and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Outlander has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.