7 Cars More Reliable Than A Toyota Highlander

Are you debating whether your next vehicle should be a Toyota Highlander? If you're looking for a new car, the Highlander can be an excellent place to start — but the search doesn't need to stop there. In fact, it can be important to consider the traits that you like in a vehicle such as the Highlander — including reliability — and then compare those traits to other cars. You might be surprised by the results, with publications like Consumer Reports predicting that several vehicles will actually be more reliable than the Highlander.

Even better, many of these vehicles have high marks for styling, comfort, handling, braking, and even warranty protection. Between Consumer Reports' reliability assessment, and data from J.D. Power and CarEdge — to examine things like reported problems, maintenance costs, and the likelihood of major repairs when available — you just might find a vehicle that better suits your needs while proving more dependable than the Highlander.

Consumer Reports found the Accord to be a solid entry in the mid-sized car category. Reviewers appreciated the roomy cabin with its excellent visibility and had good things to say about the powertrain's performance. More importantly, Consumer Reports reports that the Accord will be more reliable than the Highlander.

​Good handling and a smooth ride were two of the reasons Car and Driver also chose the Accord as its preferred family sedan. The Accord is a perennial entry in the magazine's annual list of the 10 best vehicles and is currently the No. 1 for mid-sized family sedans. CarEdge projects a 16.08% chance that the Accord will require a major repair during its first 10 years, slightly below the Highlander's 16.61% probability. It also estimates that the Accord will cost $5,807 to maintain and repair during that period, compared with $6,224 for the Highlander. 

Car and Driver also praised the easy-to-use controls, which help the Accord appeal to everyone from retirees to first-time drivers. Although far from a luxury sedan, the Accord boasts a tasteful interior design, such as hidden-in-plain-sight air vents. There's notable legroom for rear-seat passengers, and if you need the room for cargo, the rear seats fold down.

Consumer Reports considers the 2026 Camry more reliable than the Highlander and even calls excellent reliability one of the model's hallmark. Testers praised the drivetrain for its smoothness, which contributed to a comfortable and even sporty drive. CarEdge also projects that the Camry will face a 12.28% chance of requiring a major repair during its first 10 years, compared with 16.61% for the Highlander. Its estimated maintenance and repair costs are also lower, at $4,580 versus $6,224 over that period.

Consumers at Edmunds gave the Camry 4.2 out of 5 stars. One owner said that it was the best of the five hybrids they've owned, which included an Avalon, a Lexus, an Accord, and a Corolla. The owner said that even in cold wintry weather, the car was averaging 50 mpg. Another driver using the car in warm weather reported that, according to the car's computer calculation, the Camry was averaging over 54 mpg.

If you hate stopping at gas pumps, the Corolla could ease your pain. The vehicle boasted 36 mpg during testing. Consumer Report testers also applauded the car's handling in curves and the way it smoothly navigated uneven road surfaces. They expect the 2026 Corolla to be more reliable than the Highlander, based on data from the three previous model years.

No matter your preferred driving style, you're protected with standard warranties plus two years of roadside assistance regardless of the car's mileage. CarEdge projects a 12.28% chance that the Corolla will require a major repair during its first 10 years, compared with 16.61% for the Highlander. It also estimates $4,434 in maintenance and repair costs for the Corolla, significantly less than the Highlander's projected $6,224. 

U.S. News and World Report considers the Corolla a go-to choice for drivers searching for a compact car that won't leave them stranded but also a car that won't strain their bank accounts. U.S. News gave it especially high marks for fuel economy and safety.

Consumer Reports considers the Lexus ES Hybrid a leading luxury midsized sedan and reports it will be more reliable than the Highlander. Testers liked the smooth acceleration and comfortable ride, highlighting the car's ability to absorb the shock of a demanding road surface. The car also registered a noteworthy 42 mpg during testing. CarEdge projects a 15.63% chance that the ES 300h will require a major repair during its first 10 years, below the Highlander's 16.61% probability. It also estimates $5,952 in maintenance and repair costs for the Lexus, compared with $6,224 for the Highlander.

​MotorTrend gave the ES Hybrid a thumbs up for including driver-assist features that rivals charge more for. MotorTrend also mentioned the car's generous legroom of 42.4 inches in the front and 39.2 inches in the rear. Those measurements fare well against and even surpass most of the measurements for ES rivals. Between its lower projected repair risk, slightly cheaper long-term maintenance, strong fuel economy, and roomy interior, the ES Hybrid makes a compelling case.

Per Consumer Reports, the 2026 Toyota Crown is more reliable than the Highlander, based on data from recent Crown model years. The Crown replaces the Avalon as Toyota's flagship sedan. While the Crown name has appeared on non-U.S. market Toyota offerings for decades, it was last seen in the U.S. in 1972 before returning in recent years. However, this time it's a hybrid, and while it is definitely a sedan, it has characteristics that SUV lovers might enjoy.

The Crown delivered 42 mpg during Consumer Reports' testing, and drivers found that it could travel at speeds up to approximately 25 mph before the gas engine kicked in. Its standard hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce 236 horsepower. CarEdge also projects that the Crown will cost about $1,662 to maintain and repair over 5 years, compared with $2,048 for the Highlander. Its estimated chance of requiring a major repair during that period is also lower, giving buyers another concrete reason to expect fewer ownership headaches

Per Consumer Reports, the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross earned high midrange scores for reliability — above that of the Highlander — based on data from recent model years. The magazine also recorded a combined 28 mpg during testing of the all-wheel-drive version. Kelley Blue Book was also impressed with its fuel efficiency, listing a combined 32 mpg for the standard front-wheel-drive model. Kelley Blue Book experts gave the Corolla Cross 4.5 stars out of 5, while consumers gave it 3.9. 

The Cross has notably wide doors, generous headroom, and large windows, which all add to passenger comfort. Consumer Reports recommends upgrading to the LE trim to get additional safety features, such as blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings. The reliable Corolla Cross also comes with a complimentary scheduled maintenance plan covering two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. CarEdge projects that the Corolla Cross will cost about $1,852 to maintain and repair over 5 years, compared with $2,048 for the Highlander.

Lexus is among the most reliable luxury vehicle brands, with Consumer Reports finding that the 2026 IS is more reliable than the Highlander. The IS is also backed by a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty. During Consumer Reports' testing, reviewers praised the vehicle's braking system — specifically its ability to bring the car quickly to a complete stop. CarEdge provides more support for that reliability advantage, estimating that the IS 350 will cost about $5,891 to maintain and repair over 10 years, compared with $6,224 for the Highlander. It also gives the Lexus a slightly lower chance of requiring a major repair during that period

Car and Drive found the IS more than capable of delivering a comfortable ride for front-seat passengers, surrounding them with an attractive and cozy redesigned interior. If you don't often have rear-seat passengers and would prefer getting more from the driving experience, Car and Driver suggests choosing the F Sport over the base F Sport Design trim.