Toyota Highlander or 4Runner: which fits Danvers drivers?
The Highlander fits Danvers drivers who want family seating and the lower fuel use in Toyota’s published EPA ratings for daily commuting. The 4Runner fits drivers who tow heavier loads or want its off-road equipment. Ira Toyota of Danvers sells both, so you can compare them in person.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Danvers. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Highlander suits Danvers daily driving; 4Runner suits towing and trail use
Toyota publishes 5,000 pounds of maximum towing for the gas Highlander and 3,500 pounds for the Highlander Hybrid, against 6,000 pounds for most 4Runner trims. The Highlander XLE and Limited seat 8, while the 4Runner SR5 seats 7 and the TRD Off-Road seats 5. We sell new Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, 4Runner and 4Runner i-FORCE MAX.
For a daily commute with four or five passengers, the Highlander’s seating and fuel figures matter most. For a trailer or a trail, the 4Runner’s towing rating and its TRD Off-Road equipment set it apart.
What are the EPA mpg ratings for the Highlander and 4Runner?
The EPA’s 2026 certified ratings put the Highlander Hybrid AWD at 35 mpg combined, above every 4Runner rating in that record. The gas Highlander AWD is rated 21 city, 28 highway and 24 combined. Among the 4Runner’s gas trims, the 2WD is rated 22 combined and the 4WD 21 combined.
Say, hypothetically, you drive 12,000 miles a year. Every figure in this example is hypothetical. At 35 mpg you would buy about 343 gallons of fuel, and at 22 mpg about 545 gallons.
How many seats and how much cargo do the Highlander and 4Runner have?
The Highlander XLE and Limited seat 8, and the XSE and Platinum seat 7. The Highlander XLE gives 84.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the first row, 48.4 behind the second and 16.0 behind the third. Its third-row legroom is 28.0 inches.
The 4Runner SR5 seats 7, with 41.8 inches of first-row legroom, 34.8 inches of second-row legroom and 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row.
How much can a Highlander or 4Runner tow?
Toyota rates the gas Highlander at 5,000 pounds of maximum towing on the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum trims. The Highlander Hybrid XLE, Limited and Platinum are rated at 3,500 pounds. The 4Runner is rated at 6,000 pounds on most trims and on the TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX, with 5,800 pounds on the Platinum, Trailhunter and TRD Pro.
If a trailer is part of your plans, the 4Runner’s rating sets the limit. The Highlander’s rating does not reach it.
Which drivetrains do the Highlander and 4Runner offer for Danvers winters?
The Highlander offers all-wheel drive on its gasoline model, and the Hybrid AWD and Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT trims also have it. Toyota lists 8 inches of ground clearance on the Highlander XLE, which weighs 4,376 pounds, and 8.1 inches on the rear-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5, which weighs 4,455 pounds.
Boston Logan airport’s 1991 to 2020 normals show 49.2 inches of snow a year (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991-2020 normals). For a winter that heavy, the drivetrain is the choice to weigh first.
What are the MSRP, mpg, towing and seating for Highlander and 4Runner?
Toyota’s published 2026 starting MSRPs run from $42,270 for the 4Runner SR5 to $48,750 for the 4Runner TRD Sport, with the Highlander XLE at $46,270. The 4Runner TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX starts at $53,490, with 6,000 pounds of towing and 5 seats.
| Model and trim | Starting MSRP (USD) | EPA combined mpg | Max towing (lbs) | Seating (seats) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander XLE | $46,270 | 24 (gasoline AWD) | 5,000 | 8 |
| Highlander Hybrid XLE | $48,020 | 35 (hybrid AWD) | 3,500 | 8 |
| Highlander Hybrid Limited | $52,475 | 35 (hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT) | 3,500 | 7 |
| 4Runner SR5 (RWD) | $42,270 | 22 (2WD gasoline) | 6,000 | 7 |
| 4Runner SR5 (4WD) | $44,270 | 21 (4WD gasoline) | 6,000 | 7 |
| 4Runner TRD Sport (RWD) | $48,750 | 22 (2WD gasoline) | 6,000 | 5 |
Which Danvers drivers should skip the Toyota Highlander or 4Runner?
Skip the Highlander if you need 6,000 pounds of towing, because the gas Highlander is rated at 5,000 pounds. Skip the 4Runner if you want 8 seats, since its 7-seat trims are the most seats it offers. The 4Runner SR5 starts at $42,270, which is $4,000 below the Highlander XLE’s $46,270.
A vehicle bought from a registered dealer in Massachusetts carries a 6.25% sales tax rate (Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2022). Every figure in this example is hypothetical. On a $46,270 sale, that rate comes to $2,891.88 in tax.
FAQ
How can I finance or lease a Highlander or 4Runner at Ira Toyota of Danvers?
Ira Toyota of Danvers provides new Toyota financing, pre-owned car loans and Toyota leases for the Highlander and 4Runner. Leases typically run 2 to 3 years, and at lease end you can start a new lease, buy the car or extend the lease. Our secure online finance application is an application, not a pre-approval, and our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount. Posted lease and finance offers carry an expiry date.
What hybrid versions of the Highlander and 4Runner does Ira Toyota of Danvers sell?
We sell the Highlander Hybrid. Toyota rates the Highlander Hybrid XLE, Limited and Platinum at 243 horsepower, and the EPA rates the Hybrid AWD at 35 mpg combined. The 4Runner i-FORCE MAX trims are rated at 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
What warranty comes with a new Highlander or 4Runner?
Toyota’s published warranty for the 2026 Highlander and 4Runner is 36 months or 36,000 miles basic, and 60 months or 60,000 miles powertrain. The Highlander also carries a corrosion warranty of 60 months with unlimited miles.
How do I book service for a Highlander or 4Runner in Danvers?
For a Highlander or 4Runner, you can book a service appointment online with a scheduling tool that shows real-time availability. The tool shows open times as they stand, so you can book the one that fits your day.
What should I decide before choosing between a Highlander and a 4Runner?
Three questions settle most of the choice: how many passengers you usually carry, whether you prefer hybrid fuel economy or gasoline, and whether you plan to tow or drive off-road. More regular passengers point toward the Highlander’s 8-seat XLE or Limited. Towing or off-road use points toward the 4Runner, which Toyota rates at 6,000 pounds of towing.
Does Ira Toyota of Danvers carry the Grand Highlander if I need more room than the Highlander?
Yes, we sell the Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander LE seats 8, with 33.5 inches of third-row legroom and 97.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the first row.
Why shop the Highlander and 4Runner at Ira Toyota of Danvers?
We sell the new Highlander and 4Runner, and we offer an online trade-in tool and a secure online finance application. Our Google record, as of November 2026, is 4.4 stars across 7,424 reviews, and 76 in 100 of those reviews are five-star (Google, 2026).
In an August 2026 Google review, Christina P. wrote: “Henry Yanes was absolutely fantastic to work with! From the moment we walked in, he was incredibly helpful, patient, and genuinely focused on providing outstanding customer service. He took the time to answer all of our questions, made the entire process smooth and stress-free, and worked hard to get us a price we were happy with. We never felt pressured—just supported every step of the way. If you’re looking for someone who truly cares about his customers and goes above and beyond, I highly recommend asking for Henry. Thank you for making our car-buying experience such a great one! Ask for Henry for any future purchase he understands it’s not just about selling and moving metal it’s about finding something that’s comfortable that you can make memories in that also won’t break the bank! Thank you Henry!”
That review describes one customer’s visit, from the first conversation to the price.
Start at toyotaofdanvers.com, where you can browse new Highlander and 4Runner inventory, or visit Ira Toyota of Danvers at 99b Andover St, Danvers, MA 01923.
Ira Toyota of Danvers answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Danvers showroom, or call (978) 363-6931.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Ira Toyota of Danvers for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
