Comparison: Toyota Fortuner vs Toyota Highlander

Saudi Arabia : Toyota’s brand reputation and models’ resale cachet eclipse that of many of its contemporary competitors. Within the lineup, the most popular models of the automaker have to be its range of SUVs and crossovers. The Toyota Fortuner is a proper body-on-frame SUV, first emerging in global markets in 2004.

The Fortuner shares the brand’s truck-based IMV platform with the formidable Hilux. The Toyota Highlander has been around for nearly 25 years, making it one of Toyota’s best-selling crossovers. Unlike the rugged Fortuner, the Highlander utilizes a modern monocoque construction.

Currently in its fourth generation, the Highlander shares its TNGA-K platform with the more premium Lexus RX. While the Fortuner and Highlander have both been designed for different set of buyers, these audiences can sometimes overlap. Otherwise, the Fortuner rivals the Nissan X-Terra, and the Highlander rivals the Nissan Pathfinder.

Price Comparison

1. The Toyota Fortuner 2025 in Saudi Arabia is available in five variants, including petrol and diesel versions. The Fortuner’s entry-level GX2 4x2 is priced at SAR 123,855, with the GX2 4x4 variant costing SAR 134,665. These are followed by the GX2 4x4 DSL priced at SAR 147,085 and the VX1 4x4 priced at SAR 158,010. The top-end VX3-S 4x4 costs SAR 182,160.
2. As for the Toyota Highlander 2025, its base LE HEV 4x4 variant is priced at SAR 157,780. Second in line is the GLE HEV 4x4 variant, which costs SAR 168,360. The Highlander’s penultimate GLE HEV 4x4 Black Edition is priced at SAR 172,845. Meanwhile, the top-end Highlander HEV 4X4 LTD in Saudi Arabia is priced at SAR 207,460.

The prices mentioned above are all inclusive of 15 percent VAT. Moreover, what’s quite evident is that the Highlander is more expensive than the Fortuner. The Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Highlander are officially sold in KSA by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors.

Dimensions Comparison

A quick look at the exterior dimensions of these two cars will help us understand them better. The differences in their designs are as stark as the similarities in the Toyota badge that they wear. However, one of these is arguably more family-friendly than the other.

Dimensions	Toyota Fortuner	Toyota Highlander
Length	4,795 mm	4,950 mm
Width	1,855 mm	1,930 mm
Height	1,835 mm	1,730 mm
Wheelbase	2,745 mm	2,850 mm
Weight	2,110 kg	2,085 kg
Fuel capacity	80 liters	65 liters
Boot capacity	296 liters	453 liters
Wheel size	Up to 18 inches	Up to 20 inches

 Thanks to its ladder frame chassis, the Fortuner stands taller than the Highlander. This, along with its higher ground clearance and deeper wheel wells, makes the Fortuner appear tougher and more intimidating. The Fortuner’s smaller wheels are shod with thicker tires, hinting at its off-road capabilities.

The Highlander is not only longer and wider than the Fortuner, but its wheelbase is over 100 mm longer as well. The Highlander also looks urbane than the Fortuner, courtesy of its 20-inch wheels on the top variant. Finally, the added exterior dimensions of the Highlander mean more room for occupants and luggage.

There’s no doubt that the Highlander is easier to live with on a day-to-day basis in the city, as it feels more car-like. It also offers a larger boot that’s easier to load and unload due to the lower floor. Stepping in and out of the Highlander is just as easy. Getting in and out of the Fortuner, meanwhile, requires a bit more determination.

Drivetrain and Performance Comparison

The Toyota Fortuner comes with three different engine options in Saudi Arabia. While an automatic gearbox is standard, there are two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions on offer. So, how do these stack up?

Specs	Toyota Fortuner 2.7	Toyota Fortuner 4.0	Toyota Fortuner 2.4D
Engine	2.7-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol	4.0-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder petrol	2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Gearbox	6-speed AT	6-speed AT	6-speed AT
Drive System	2WD/4WD	4WD	4WD
Power	164 hp	235 hp	147 hp
Torque	245 Nm	376 Nm	400 Nm
Mileage	10.3 kmpl (9.7 L/100 km)	9.6 kmpl (10.4 L/100 km)	14.2 kmpl (7.0 L/100 km)
Top Speed	170 kmph	185 kmph	175 kmph
0-100 kmph	13.5 sec	9.5 sec	11.5 sec

 The Fortuner was designed to work tirelessly off-road, which is helped by a load of bottom-end torque. Even its automatic transmission is meant to perform similarly, though it works well in city traffic as well. The quickest but least efficient Fortuner V6 petrol also has perhaps the smoothest powertrain of the three.

The Fortuner’s heavy steering can make tackling constant city commutes a bit frustrating. The brakes can feel a bit spongy at times and aren’t the best around, but they are just about adequate. There is considerable body roll when going around corners, though that’s to be expected in most body-on-frame SUVs.

Specs	Toyota Highlander HEV 4X2	Toyota Highlander HEV 4X4
Engine	2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol w/ one electric motor	2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol w/ one electric motor
Gearbox	eCVT	eCVT
Drive System	FWD	AWD
Power	240 hp	240 hp
Torque	237 + 270 Nm (ICE + Electric motor)	237 + 270 Nm (ICE + Electric motor)
Mileage	20.7 kmpl (4.8 L/100 km)	19.3 kmpl (5.1 L/100 km)
Top Speed	185 kmph	190 kmph
0-100 kmph	9 sec (appx.)	8 sec (appx.)

Being slightly lighter than the Fortuner and boasting a modern hybrid powertrain has its advantages. The Highlander is not only quicker and faster, but it feels more precise and comfortable to drive. The body roll is also less dramatic in the Highlander, while the fuel consumption is way less than in the Fortuner.

The hybrid powertrain of the new Highlander is noticeably smoother and more civilized. This ensures a calmer experience behind the wheel and makes long-distance driving reasonably enjoyable. In low-speed traffic situations, the electric motor helps to keep the car moving without any mechanical noise. On the flip-side, the Highlander’s AWD system isn’t meant for serious off-roading.

Features Comparison

From what’s under the hood to what the brochures promise. When it comes to the features of these two cars, we will look at their respective top variants only.

Exterior Features	Toyota Fortuner VX3-S 4X4	Toyota Highlander HEV Limited 4X4
LED projector headlights	Yes (w/ auto-levelling)	Yes (w/ auto high-beam)
LED DRLs	Yes	Yes
LED foglights	Yes	Yes
Puddle lamps	No	Yes
Powered & auto-folding ORVMs	Yes	Yes (w/ heating)
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes
Powered tailgate	Yes	Yes (motion-sensing)
Rain-sensing wipers	Yes	Yes
Roof rails	Yes	Yes
Rear spoiler	Yes	Yes

 

On the inside, there’s no doubt that the Highlander looks and feels way more modern than the Fortuner. The fit & finish in the Highlander’s cabin and the overall quality of the materials used are superior as well. 

Interior Technologies	Toyota Fortuner VX3-S 4X4	Toyota Highlander HEV Limited 4X4
Push-button start	Yes	Yes
Electric sunroof	No	Yes (panoramic)
Digital driver’s display	No (3.5-inch MID)	Yes (12.3-inch)
Touchscreen infotainment	Yes (8-inch)	Yes (12.3-inch)
Head-up display	No	Yes
Wireless charger	Yes	Yes
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Yes (CarPlay only)	Yes (wireless CarPlay)
Paddle shifters	Yes	No
Drive mode selector	Yes (two modes)	Yes (three modes)
Sound system	Yes (6-speaker audio)	Yes (11-speaker JBL premium audio)

 

If you thought the above-mentioned features were better on the Highlander, wait till you see the next table. However, keep in mind that the current-generation Fortuner is an older model when compared to the outgoing Highlander.

Comfort Offerings	Toyota Fortuner VX3-S 4X4	Toyota Highlander HEV Limited 4X4
Leather upholstery	Yes	Yes
Powered front seats	Yes	Yes (w/ driver power lumbar & memory)
Ventilated front seats	Yes	Yes
Heated front & second-row seats)	No	Yes
Steering telescopic adjustment	Yes	Yes
Split-folding rear seats	Yes	Yes
Rear armrest	Yes	Yes
Rear window shades	No	Yes
Automatic climate control	Yes (single-zone w/ rear vents)	Yes (three-zone w/ rear vents)
Electronic parking brake	No	Yes (w/ auto-hold)
Cooled glovebox	Yes	No
Auto-dimming IRVM	Yes	Yes
USB ports	Yes (two)	Yes (five)

 

Another area where the Fortuner loses out big time against the Highlander is on the safety front. Where the Highlander scores multiple modern safety features, the Fortuner lags behind quite evidently (and worryingly).

Safety Systems	Toyota Fortuner VX3-S 4X4	Toyota Highlander HEV Limited 4X4
Cruise control	Yes	Yes (adaptive w/ collision warning)
Lane-departure alert	No	Yes (w/ lane-tracing assist)
Blind-spot monitoring	Yes	Yes
Rear cross-traffic alert	No	Yes
Tire-pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes
Surround-view cameras	Yes	Yes
Parking sensors	Yes (front & rear)	Yes (front & rear)
Airbags	Yes (3)	Yes (7)
Vehicle stability control	Yes	Yes
Traction control	Yes	Yes
Differential lock	Yes (rear)	No
4WD w/ transfer case	Yes	No
Hill-start assist	Yes	Yes

Conclusion

The Toyota Fortuner is a good SUV, offering good hardware for those who wish to go off-road regularly. However, in 2025, the lack of modern equipment and comfort quotient is noticeable. This is made worse by the clear shortcomings on the safety front. All things considered, if you want an all-rounder, the Toyota Highlander is a better bet.