2025 Highlander vs 2025 Outlander in Lynchburg

2025 Toyota Highlander

2025 Highlander vs 2025 Outlander

When you’ve got a growing family, a packed schedule, and weekend plans in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you need a vehicle that’s built to handle it all. At Berglund Toyota in Lynchburg, VA, we’re comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander to help Central Virginia drivers make the right call. Both offer three rows and modern features – but only one stands out when it comes to space, power, and real-world practicality for life in and around Lynchburg.

Interior Comparison

Step into the Highlander and you’ll find thoughtful design abounds. With available leather-trimmed seating, a quiet cabin, and multiple second-row options, it’s designed to keep passengers comfortable from the school run to Smith Mountain Lake. It even offers a usable third row – something not all midsize SUVs can claim.

The Outlander looks great with its quilted leather accents on higher trims and a stylish dash layout. But its third row is tighter and better suited for kids or shorter trips. Cargo space also takes a hit, especially when that third row is in use.

2025 Toyota Highlander

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Rows: Three

Max Seating: Eight

Max Cargo Capacity: 84.3 Cubic Feet

Upholstery Options: Cloth Upholstery (Standard) / Synthetic and Genuine Leather Upholstery (Optional)

Rows: Three

Max Seating: Seven

Max Cargo Capacity: 64.3 Cubic Feet

Upholstery Options: Cloth Upholstery (Standard) / Synthetic Leather Upholstery, Genuine Leather Upholstery (Optional)

Power and Performance

The Highlander’s turbocharged 2.4-liter engine offers 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque – plenty for merging onto Route 460 or towing the family camper. Its smooth eight-speed transmission and available all-wheel drive give you confidence in the rain, snow, or rolling hills of central Virginia.

Outlander offers a 2.5-liter engine with 181 horsepower and a CVT. It’s efficient, but when the SUV is full or you’re heading into the mountains, it may feel a bit underpowered. Towing is also limited to 2,000 pounds – less than half of what the Highlander can handle.

2025 Toyota Highlander

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds

Base Engine: Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 265

Torque: 310 lb-ft

Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

Max Towing Capacity: 2,000 Pounds

Base Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 181

Torque: 181 lb-ft

Transmission: Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT)

Tech and Entertainment

Toyota didn’t just give the Highlander good tech – it gave it smart tech. Standard features on most trims include a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and five USB ports to keep everyone charged and entertained. Add the available JBL® sound system and you’ve got a road trip playlist powerhouse.

Outlander brings solid tech to the table with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and available 12-speaker Yamaha audio. But not every trim includes wireless smartphone connectivity, and many top features are reserved for higher trims.

2025 Toyota Highlander Top Technology Features

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Top Technology Features

  • Infotainment Screen Options: 8-inch Touchscreen (Standard), 7-inch digital instrument display (standard) / 12.3-inch Touchscreen (optional), 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Display (optional)
  • Audio System Options: Six-Speaker Stereo (standard) / 11-speaker JBL® Premium stereo system (optional)
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ (standard)
  • Five USB Ports (standard)
  • Infotainment Screen Options: 12.3-inch Touchscreen (Standard), 7-inch Driver Information Display (standard) / 12.3-inch Digital instrument cluster (Available)
  • Audio System Options: Eight-Speaker Yamaha Stereo (standard) / 12-Speaker Yamaha Stereo (available)
  • Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ (standard)

Safety Features

​Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 comes standard on every 2025 Highlander and includes advanced features like lane tracing assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian detection. It's safety tech you’ll actually use, especially during unpredictable Lynchburg commutes or family road trips.

Outlander has MI-PILOT Assist with similar features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping. But Toyota’s suite feels more polished and intuitive for everyday driving.

2025 Toyota Highlander Standard Safety Features

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Standard Safety Features

  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Forward Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Pedestrian Detection
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Lane-Departure Warning
  • Lane-Keep Assist
  • Lane-Trace Assist
  • Traffic-Sign Recognition
  • Automatic High-Beam Headlights
  • Rearview Camera
  • Blind-Sport Monitoring
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
  • Forward and Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Pedestrian Detection
  • Automatic High-Beam Headlights
  • Driver-Attention Monitoring
  • Blind-Spot Monitoring
  • Rear Parking Sensors
  • Rearview Camera
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
  • Lane-Departure Warning
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Lane-Change Assist
  • Rear-Seat Alert

Berglund Toyota’s Bottom Line

The Outlander might catch attention with style and price, but the Highlander checks every box that matters: more space, stronger towing, better tech, and class-leading safety. It's a three-row SUV that’s ready for real life – rain or shine, commute or road trip.

Come to Berglund Toyota in Lynchburg and get a firsthand look at the 2025 Highlander. We’ll help you find the right trim, right features, and right deal.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.