2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling elements from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, notably in its trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged look popular among midsized SUVs. However, the design softened on the sides with a swooping character line over the rear wheel arch, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna. This design choice added unnecessary visual weight, making the Highlander appear somewhat bloated. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's interior was unconventional yet less jarring, featuring an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element that created a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash, reducing driver distraction.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design, emphasizing clean and simple lines. While not flashy, it offered a sophisticated appearance with options like Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, in Eiger Grey with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a luxurious ambiance. The Range Rover Sport's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights. The interior featured sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, providing a high-tech and luxurious feel.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. Toyota estimated it could reach 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in an uninspired drone during acceleration, especially when climbing hills. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride quality, with a suspension that smoothed over road imperfections, and a quiet cabin on highways.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Range Rover Sport could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. It boasted a towing capacity of 3,500 kg. The SUV's adaptive damping air suspension and Dynamic driving mode enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it didn't match the sportiness of competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with advanced suspension and technology, offering impressive ground clearance and wading depth.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments for drivers of all sizes. However, the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The interior provided plenty of storage options, including trays and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for increased passenger capacity. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with Windsor leather upholstery and 20-way power adjustments. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Storage space was decent, with a deep bin under the centre armrest and a second bin under the cupholder tray. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable with power-folding rear seats.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were available on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. While intuitive, the Pivi Pro system could be confusing and frustrating. The SUV offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation. A wireless charging pad was included, though accessing it could be challenging.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The systems generally worked well but could use fine-tuning.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured a surround-view camera system, Wade Sensing, and Remote Park Assist. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist had room for improvement, particularly in responsiveness and reliability.