What Lexus is equivalent to the Toyota Highlander?

The Lexus Grand Highlander is the closest Lexus counterpart to the Toyota Highlander.

In the broader market, the Toyota Highlander is a well-known midsize, three-row SUV. Lexus answered with a premium variant that slots into the same size class while offering more space, upscale materials, and additional features. This article explains why the Grand Highlander is considered the direct Lexus equivalent and outlines other Lexus options that occupy similar roles in the lineup.

Direct Lexus Equivalent: Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander is designed to fill the same family-SUV niche as the Toyota Highlander, but with more space and a higher level of luxury. It sits above the standard Lexus RX in size and capacity, targeting buyers who want three rows of seating and a more premium experience without stepping up to a full-size luxury SUV.

Before diving into the details, here are the key points that define its position in the lineup:

• Shared platform and powertrain options with the Toyota Highlander, including gas and hybrid configurations.


• Expanded interior that accommodates seven or eight passengers, depending on seating configuration.


• Enhanced materials, sound insulation, and larger touchscreen/instrument panel choices typical of Lexus.


• Introduced for the 2024 model year as a larger, more upscale alternative to the standard Highlander.

In short, the Grand Highlander is the direct answer to the Highlander within the Lexus family, offering similar practicality with added luxury and space.

Other Lexus Options for a 3-Row SUV in the Same Ballpark

For buyers who want three-row seating in a Lexus but with different emphasis—size, luxury tier, or off-road capability—these models provide alternative paths to a similar family-SUV goal.

• Lexus RX L — A three-row variant of the RX that provides a more compact footprint than the Grand Highlander, with a focus on luxury and ride comfort rather than maximum third-row space.


• Lexus GX — A mid-size, rugged SUV with three rows, offering more off-road capability and a more traditional SUV stance, typically at a lower luxury emphasis than the LX but higher than the RX family too.


• Lexus LX — The flagship full-size luxury SUV with three rows, delivering the most space, technology, and prestige, but at a substantially higher price and size footprint.

These options illustrate how Lexus covers a spectrum from compact luxury to full-size premium, all while providing three-row seating that can approximate the Highlander’s function in daily family life.

Summary

The direct Lexus counterpart to Toyota’s Highlander is the Grand Highlander, a larger, more upscale three-row SUV designed to compete in the same market segment. While RX L, GX, and LX offer alternative three-row options with varying balances of size, luxury, and ruggedness, the Grand Highlander remains the closest match in terms of architecture, seating capacity, and intended use. For buyers seeking a premium, space-conscious family SUV without stepping into full-size territory, the Grand Highlander is the most straightforward option in the Lexus lineup.

Is the Lexus RX 350 the same as the Toyota Highlander?

No, the Lexus RX 350 and Toyota Highlander are not the same, though they are built on similar platforms and share some underlying components. The RX 350 is a luxury, two-row SUV with a more upscale interior and slightly more power, while the Highlander is a larger, more practical three-row SUV with a focus on utility and a lower price point. 
Lexus RX 350

• Luxury: Positioned as a luxury vehicle, the RX 350 features higher-end materials, more advanced comfort features, and a more refined, comfortable ride. 
• Seating: It is a two-row SUV, seating a maximum of five passengers. 
• Performance: Often has slightly more horsepower and torque from its standard engine. 
• Design: Features a sleeker, more modern exterior design. 

You can watch this video to see a comparison of the Lexus RX 350 and Toyota Highlander's interior and exterior: 57sUpper James ToyotaYouTube · Jun 15, 2024
Toyota Highlander

• Practicality: Designed for family utility, it offers a third row of seating and more cargo space. 
• Seating: Seats up to eight passengers across three rows. 
• Performance: The base engine is powerful, but typically has slightly less horsepower than the RX 350. 
• Design: Has a more rugged and conventional exterior styling. 

This video provides a comparison between the 2021 Highlander XSE and the 2020 RX 350: 48sUpper James ToyotaYouTube · Jun 23, 2024

What is the difference between 2025 Lexus RX 350 and 2025 Toyota Highlander?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a larger, three-row SUV with a lower starting price, greater towing capacity, and more cargo space behind the front seats, while the 2025 Lexus RX 350 is a more premium, two-row vehicle that offers more horsepower, a more luxurious interior, and greater rear cargo space with the rear seats in use. The best choice depends on whether you need the extra seating and towing capability of the Highlander or the luxury and premium features of the RX.
 
You can watch this video for a visual comparison of the interior and exterior of the Highlander and RX 350: 1mUpper James ToyotaYouTube · Jun 15, 2024
Toyota Highlander

• Pros:
  • Size and seating: Larger overall with a standard three-row, seven or eight-seat configuration, making it better for families or carpooling.
  • Towing: Offers a higher towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs compared to the RX's 3,500 lbs.
  • Cargo: Provides substantially more maximum cargo space when all seats are folded down.
  • Fuel: Uses regular unleaded gasoline for its hybrid option, which can be cheaper than the premium required for the RX.
  • Price: Has a lower starting MSRP.
• Cons:
  • Less standard horsepower in the gasoline model (265265265 hp vs. 275275275 hp).
  • Interior is less luxurious and has less cargo space behind the rear seats. 

Lexus RX 350

• Pros:
  • Performance: Has more horsepower (275275275 hp) and torque than the gasoline Highlander. 
  • Luxury: Features a more upscale interior with higher-quality materials. 
  • Cargo: Offers more cargo space behind the rear seats with the seats in use. 
  • Warranty: Comes with a longer comprehensive and powertrain warranty. 
• Cons:
  • Size and seating: Smaller, with only two rows of seating, which limits passenger capacity. 
  • Towing: Lower towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. 
  • Fuel: Requires premium gasoline, which can be more expensive. 
  • Price: Has a higher starting MSRP. 

Is Lexus TX the same size as Highlander?

The Lexus TX and Toyota Grand Highlander are similarly sized, though there is some deviation. The Lexus TX measures 203.1 inches long, while the Grand Highlander shrinks in comparison with only 201.4 inches of length. The two three-row SUVs are identical in width, measuring 78.3 inches wide.

Which Lexus is similar to a Highlander?

The Lexus TX is the modern equivalent to the Toyota Grand Highlander, while the Lexus RX was a closer comparison to the older Toyota Highlander model. Both the TX and Grand Highlander are three-row SUVs built on similar platforms, but the TX offers more luxury features, a more potent engine option, and a higher price point. The RX is a more traditional two-row or smaller three-row Lexus SUV, but it shares some technology and powertrain elements with the standard Highlander.
 
This video discusses the Lexus TX and its similarity to the Toyota Grand Highlander: 50sKirk KreifelsYouTube · May 15, 2025
Lexus TX vs. Toyota Grand Highlander

• Positioning: The TX is Lexus's more upscale, three-row SUV that is a direct competitor to the Grand Highlander. 
• Platform: They are built on the same platform but the TX is slightly longer, providing more cargo space behind the third row. 
• Powertrain: Both offer similar engine options, but the TX has more powerful standard and hybrid options. 
• Luxury: The TX includes more premium features, like a more powerful engine and advanced technology options. 

Lexus RX vs. Toyota Highlander

• Positioning: The RX was historically considered the equivalent of the Highlander before the TX was introduced. 
• Platform: The standard RX is a two-row SUV, while the Highlander is a three-row SUV. However, some hybrid versions have three rows, and some powertrain elements are shared. 
• Seating: The Highlander offers more standard seating capacity (up to eight) than the RX (up to five). 
• Price: The RX has a higher starting price point due to its luxury status.