Acura RDX vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Acura RDX, positioned between the smaller ADX and the larger MDX in Acura's lineup, offered a blend of style and performance. Available in base, A-Spec, and Platinum Elite A-Spec trims, it featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive as standard. Prices ranged from $57,526 to $66,356, with the Platinum Elite A-Spec model priced at $64,756 in Canada. The RDX's design evolved with a frameless grille and new wheel designs, while the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim boasted a sportier look with gloss black accents and full leather upholstery. The interior was bathed in natural light from a panoramic sunroof, and the cabin featured premium materials, though the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was less desirable.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, with its conservative styling reminiscent of the RAV4, offered a spacious and functional interior. The Platinum Hybrid Max trim, priced at $69,060, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and no additional options. The Grand Highlander prioritized function over form, with logically laid-out controls and decent material quality. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Grand Highlander provided ample seating for up to eight passengers and generous cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Its 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, offered manual control via paddle shifters. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel when needed. The RDX featured an Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) with Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, and the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim included an adaptive-damping suspension. Fuel economy was rated at 9.9 L/100 km for the base trim and 10.3 L/100 km for A-Spec trims, though real-world testing showed higher consumption. The RDX's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with responsive steering and effective brakes, but it lacked the thrill of a true performance model.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. Its six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning typical of CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, with a rating of 8.8 L/100 km combined, compared to the regular hybrid's 7.0 L/100 km. It could tow up to 2,268 kg, making it versatile for various needs. During testing, the Hybrid Max achieved 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city-highway route and 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous terrain. The powertrain provided confident acceleration, while the ride quality was soft and isolating. Handling was secure but limited, with early tire scrub and nose push in curves. Visibility was excellent, aided by available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2025 Acura RDX Platinum Elite A-Spec trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. The interior offered soft or padded surfaces for comfort, though rear seat comfort was less satisfactory for taller passengers. Storage was generous, with oversized cupholders and a wireless charging pad. The cargo area provided 835 litres of space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. Three underfloor storage compartments added versatility, though the TTI touchpad compromised the centre console design.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating across all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and supportive cushions. The rear doors required ample space to open, posing challenges for child seat installation. Second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console allowed easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,761 litres with the second row folded, nearly matching the Sienna minivan's capacity.

The 2025 Acura RDX's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch display controlled by the TTI touchpad, which required coordination between the pad and display. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in were available, reducing reliance on the TTI. The system included SiriusXM, AcuraLink connected services, and a premium sound system with 16 speakers. The lack of a touchscreen was a drawback, but separate climate controls and a volume knob improved usability.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's infotainment system included a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services offered features like collision notification and a digital voice assistant. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and low-contrast font were minor issues. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2025 Acura RDX came with AcuraWatch, a comprehensive safety package including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered low-speed braking and a surround-view camera system. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, the lane-assist systems were often intrusive, though adaptive cruise control was more satisfactory.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with standard safety features like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist was also included, though it was often turned off due to its intrusiveness. The safety tech operated accurately, though lane keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.