2026 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a blend of practicality and subtle elegance. It featured a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid powertrain with an impressive fuel efficiency of 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres, and a robust Hybrid Max configuration with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. The Canadian trim levels included XLE, Limited, and Platinum Hybrid Max, with prices ranging from $57,465 to $69,060. The Platinum Hybrid Max trim, which we reviewed, came in a Storm Cloud paint, a flat grayish blue, and was priced at $69,060. The design echoed the popular RAV4, offering a familiar yet grander aesthetic with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. Inside, the Grand Highlander prioritized function over form, with a touch of luxury in the Platinum trim. The controls were logically arranged, and the climate system was user-friendly, though the infotainment interface had room for improvement.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid aimed for a more stylish and bold design, particularly with the RX 500h F Sport Performance model. The front featured a large, black trapezoidal grille flanked by slim headlights, creating a striking, albeit controversial, appearance. The profile was sleek, with flat wheel flares and a character line suggesting motion, while the floating roofline added a sporty touch. The RX 500h sat on 21-inch wheels, and the rear boasted a full-width taillight. Inside, the RX 500h offered a choice of Dark Graphite or Rioja Red leather, with sporty elements like a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The interior was designed for comfort, with soft-touch materials and digital screens enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was designed for those who valued both performance and efficiency. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering a total of 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route and 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous roads. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves. Visibility was excellent, thanks to available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, matched the power of some luxury rivals with a different approach. It combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The engine generated 271 horsepower, while two electric motors contributed the remaining power. The RX 500h featured a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD, with a seamless transition from electric to gas propulsion. It achieved a 0-96 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, though it was slower than some competitors. The RX 500h came with adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, and a firmer suspension, enhancing stability but not significantly improving sportiness. The ride was firm, especially in Sport mode, and the steering lacked feel. The RX 500h offered a Custom mode for personalized settings, but for a truly sporty experience, other luxury SUVs might be more suitable.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space and practicality. It offered comfortable seating for all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, providing comfort for long journeys. However, the rear doors were large and required ample space to open, which could be challenging when securing child seats. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with 586 litres behind the third row and up to 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable interior, though the ride could be firm. Front-seat occupants enjoyed eight-way power-adjustable sport seats with heating and cooling, while the rear seats provided good legroom. The RX 500h had 838 litres of cargo space with the second row up, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats folded. The interior was designed for comfort, with a heated steering wheel and a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard across all trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered various features, including automatic collision notification and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with a standard head-up display. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Lexus Intelligent Assist for voice commands. The touchscreen was responsive, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel pads were frustrating to use. Lexus offered a three-year Drive Connect subscription with real-time traffic information.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated accurately, the lane keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. It also included parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the updated moderate front overlap test by the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick award. The safety features worked well, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons were challenging to use.