Compare the2025 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Mitsubishi Outlander has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Outlander has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mitsubishi Outlander achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Outlander’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Outlander and the Highlander Hybrid 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Highlander Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Highlander Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Highlander Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Highlander Hybrid’s (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Outlander has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Outlander’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

The Outlander stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

For better traction, the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R18).

The Outlander ES’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Outlander SEL AWC handles at .87 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outlander SEL AWC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Highlander Hybrid’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Highlander Hybrid (8.4 vs. 8 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 850 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

The Outlander is 9.1 inches shorter than the Highlander Hybrid, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outlander has 1 inch more front headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mitsubishi service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 24% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

The Outlander SEL/Platinum’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Outlander ES’ standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Highlander Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander second among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Highlander Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.