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 Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Toyota Highlander has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer Daytime Running Lights.

Both the Highlander and the Range Rover Evoque have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Toyota Highlander weighs 479 to 859 pounds more than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Range Rover Evoque has not been tested, yet.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Land Rover covers the Range Rover Evoque. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Range Rover Evoque 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. Land Rover only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Range Rover Evoque.

There are almost 7 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Land Rover 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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 28th, 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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 147 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 29th.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (270 vs. 240) than the Range Rover Evoque's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque:

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

The Highlander has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Range Rover Evoque (19.2 vs. 18.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Range Rover Evoque (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the Range Rover Evoque (109.8 inches vs. 104.8 inches).

The Highlander's front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Range Rover Evoque's (58% to 42%). This gives the Highlander more stable handling and braking.

The design of the Toyota Highlander amounts to more than styling. The Highlander offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .33 to .34 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Range Rover Evoque (.35 to .36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Highlander get better fuel mileage.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Range Rover Evoque can only carry 5.

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

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Range Rover Evoque 5-Door.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is limited to 3968 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Range Rover Evoque (1455 vs. 1100 lbs.).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Highlander to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Land Rover doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Range Rover Evoque.

The Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

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

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Highlander has standard extendable sun visors. The Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer extendable visors.

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 Range Rover Evoque doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Range Rover Evoque 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 $1370 to $3680 less than the Range Rover Evoque 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 Range Rover Evoque only retains 45.01% to 52.55%.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $13230 to $18994 less than for the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

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