Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Forerunner: Dave Erickson's take

Dave Erickson presents a side-by-side that concludes: the Toyota Highlander is the better daily-family SUV while the Toyota Forerunner is the better off-road bargain for enthusiasts. He uses powertrains, construction, comfort, tech, safety, and price to justify that split.

• Power and efficiency: Highlander uses a '3.5-liter V6' with '295 horsepower' and '263 pound-feet' routed through an 8-speed shiftable automatic; Erickson cites EPA-like economy of '27' mpg highway and '20' city. The Forerunner has a '4-liter, 6-cylinder V6' making '270 horsepower' and '278 pound-feet' with a 5-speed shiftable automatic and quoted economy roughly '16-city, 19' highway.

• Construction and handling: Erickson contrasts Highlander's unibody, comfort-oriented setup and sedan-like road manners against the Forerunner's body-on-frame construction and '9 inches of ground clearance', framing the Forerunner as purpose-built for rough terrain, snow, ice and crawl-control-style off-road features.

• Comfort, cargo, utility: Per Erickson the Highlander is superior. It is a seven-seater with three rows (third row best for kids but can fit three adults), more comfort features on higher trims (heated/ventilated seats) and better overall daily usability. The Forerunner is described as not as comfort-focused and typically lacks the same level of trim comfort, though seven seats are optional.

• Technology and safety: Erickson says Highlander offers a better infotainment and optional larger touchscreens and audio packages, but notes a downside: at the time of recording both vehicles are not compatible with Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto. He also quotes a safety line for Highlander: 'switch system with an insurance institute for highway safety rating of good.' Both vehicles include modern driver-assistance features but the Forerunner prioritizes off-road capabilities.

• Price and recommendation: Highlander quoted between "$35 and around $50, just below $50,000." Forerunner quoted as starting "just above $36,000" and up to "around up to $49,000," with the "most popular premium off-road trim goes for just over $43,000,000" (verbatim as stated). Erickson's practical advice: buy the Highlander if you want a comfortable family daily driver; buy the Forerunner if you want a capable, bang-for-buck off-roader and stick near the mid-level off-road trim unless you value extra options.

Erickson closes with the standard test-drive recommendation and invites comments; his core verdict is: Highlander = comfort/family; Forerunner = off-road capability/value.