Compare the2024 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2023 VinFast VF 9

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The VinFast VF 9 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Highlander Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The VF 9 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and VF 9 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The VF 9’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the VF 9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 50 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The VF 9 has not been tested, yet.

The Highlander Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the VF 9’s (unlimited vs. 125000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. VinFast doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the VF 9.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. A locking charge port is an option at extra cost on the VF 9. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the VF 9; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For greater off-road capability the Highlander Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the VF 9 (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Highlander Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1700 to 1900 pounds less than the VinFast VF 9.

The Highlander Hybrid is 6.6 inches shorter than the VF 9, making the Highlander Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Highlander Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The VF 9 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the VF 9 can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The VF 9’s third row seats don’t recline.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The VF 9 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The VF 9 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The VF 9’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Highlander Hybrid Platinum’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The VF 9 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.