Compare the2026 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Highlander Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Outlander.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum 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 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 612 to 914 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 Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Outlander:

	Highlander Hybrid	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	71	171
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	.71 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	647 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Highlander Hybrid is 1% to 3.4% less likely to roll over than the Outlander.

Warranty

The Highlander Hybrid’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 Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 22 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mitsubishi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 94 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 30th.

Engine

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:

	Highlander Hybrid	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Highlander Hybrid
	AWD	XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/35 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/34 hwy
Outlander
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

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.

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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.

Passenger Space

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

The Highlander Hybrid has 14 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (139.5 vs. 125.5).

The Highlander Hybrid has .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, 2.5 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.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Highlander Hybrid	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	16 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

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.

Towing

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

Ergonomics

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 standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front 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/SEL/Platinum.

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/Platinum.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Highlander Hybrid 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.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid retains 61.9% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 76% during 2024.

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