Safety

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The Highlander offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The XT5 doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Highlander and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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 XT5 has not been tested, yet.

Reliability

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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 Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 21st, 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 Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fourth.

Tires and Wheels

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For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the XT5 (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The Highlander's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT5's standard 65 series tires.

Passenger Space

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The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XT5 can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

Cargo Capacity

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The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the XT5.

	Highlander	XT5
Third Seat Folded	42.3 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	30 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	83.7 cubic feet	63 cubic feet

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XT5's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Ergonomics

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The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The XT5's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

Recommendations

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

	Highlander	XT5
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	n/a
Kiplinger's Awards	2	n/a
Intellichoice	A “Best Value in Class”	n/a