The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Allroad doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Allroad doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Highlander Limited's optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Allroad doesn't offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing safer, the Highlander Limited/Platinum's cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Allroad doesn't offer a cross-path warning system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it's stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Allroad doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Highlander and the Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

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 Audi Allroad:

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

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Allroad has not been tested, yet.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Allroad. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Allroad ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Allroad.

There are almost 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 14th.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 50 more horsepower (270 vs. 220) than the Allroad's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Allroad requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Allroad (19.2 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the Allroad:

The Highlander stops shorter than the Allroad:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The Allroad's largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Allroad.

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Allroad (8 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Allroad can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Allroad.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The Allroad's rear seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Allroad.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Allroad's rear cargo window doesn't open.

The Highlander's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Allroad's (1500 vs. 1100 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Allroad is only 1100 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Highlander has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Allroad only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Allroad's headlights, which were rated “Good.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Allroad doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Highlander and the Allroad offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the Allroad.

Standard air conditioned seats in the Highlander Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Allroad doesn't offer air conditioned seats.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Allroad doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Allroad doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

Standard Entune App Suite for the Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, finding fuel prices at nearby service stations, searching the internet and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The Allroad doesn't offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Allroad doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Allroad doesn't offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $1270 to $2825 less than the Allroad over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 58.27% to 61.09% of its original price after five years, while the Allroad only retains 45.05% to 48.68%.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $12832 to $16359 less than for the Audi Allroad.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Allroad isn't in the top three in its category.