Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

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

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.

The Toyota Grand Highlander’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 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Grand Highlander is much safer than the Outlander:

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 over 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.

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.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (245 vs. 174) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 91 more horsepower (265 vs. 174) and 104 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 188 more horsepower (362 vs. 174) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

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 average track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Highlander is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track 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.

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 all of them 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/SEL/Trail.

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/SEL/Trail.

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 for the second row.

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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Grand Highlander as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, 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.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over three to one during 2025.