Compare the2026 Toyota HighlanderVS 2026 Genesis GV80

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Genesis GV80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Highlander	GV80
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-22 MPH	-22 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	-25 MPH	-24 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-25 MPH	-19 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2 sec	1.1 sec

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Highlander. But it costs extra on the GV80.

The Toyota Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Genesis GV80 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Compared to metal, the Highlander’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Highlander and the GV80 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Highlander	GV80
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	292	328
Leg Forces (l/r)	321/243 lbs.	254/334 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	34%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	228 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	545/323 lbs.	388/497 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Highlander	GV80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	119 lbs.
Hip Force	300 lbs.	335 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	152 lbs.	341 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are almost 6 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander’s reliability 14 points higher than the GV80.

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 Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 14th.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the GV80:

			MPG
Highlander
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
GV80
	RWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GV80 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis GV80 (5 to 6). This means the Highlander produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV80 every 15,000 miles.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the GV80’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

Chassis

The Toyota Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 900 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

Passenger Space

The Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GV80 can only carry up to 7.

The Highlander has .4 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom and 1.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

	Highlander	GV80
Behind Third Seat	16 cubic feet	11.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	38.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	71.7 cubic feet

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the 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 GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GV80’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Highlander’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Highlander retains 58.21% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 45.07% resale value of the 2025 Genesis GV80 after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $15332.38908 in depreciation.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Highlander and the Genesis GV80, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Genesis GV80 by almost four to one during 2024.

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