Chevrolet Tahoe vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, maintaining its reputation for capability and practicality. Its design updates were subtle, with a new grille and lighting elements aligning it with other Chevy trucks. The Tahoe offered six trim levels, each catering to different preferences, from the no-frills LS to the luxurious High Country. The Z71 trim, which we tested, stood out with its off-road enhancements, including skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Tahoe featured a new 17.7-inch touchscreen and a redesigned dashboard, enhancing the cabin's sophistication while retaining physical controls for essential functions.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, embraced a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, offering a spacious interior with seating for up to eight. The Platinum trim we evaluated featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The Grand Highlander prioritized functionality, with logically laid-out controls and decent material quality. However, some storage areas were unlined, potentially affecting cabin noise levels. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a choice of two V8 engines and a diesel option. The 5.3-litre V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-litre V8 provided 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine, a 3.0-litre inline-six, produced 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive fuel efficiency at 9.7 L/100 km on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tahoe's steering was surprisingly light, and while the brakes were effective, the pedal feel was heavy. The SUV featured an independent rear suspension, with options for Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension for enhanced ride quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 362 net horsepower. It featured a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning of CVTs. The Hybrid Max achieved a combined fuel economy of 8.8 L/100 km and could tow up to 2,268 kg. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city-highway route. The powertrain offered rewarding acceleration, while the ride quality was soft and isolating. Handling was secure, though the tires scrubbed early in spirited driving. Visibility was excellent, aided by available camera systems.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe excelled in towing capacity, with the ability to tow up to 3,810 kg with the Max Trailering package. Its cargo volume was impressive, offering 3,474 litres with all seats folded. However, with all seats in place, cargo space was limited to 722 litres. The Tahoe's large fuel tank allowed for extended highway driving. Shoppers interested in large wheels were advised to opt for Magnetic Ride Control to improve ride quality, especially with the new 24-inch wheel option.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows and a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. However, the rear doors required ample space to open, making child seat installation challenging. The second-row captain's chairs offered flexibility with a removable centre console. The third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind them measured 586 litres. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 1,640 litres, while folding the second row provided 2,761 litres of space.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver information screen, and an optional 15-inch HUD. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. However, the user experience had a learning curve, with a cluttered steering wheel and unintuitive driver information display customization. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, which delivered better sound quality than expected.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe had not been crash-tested for the 2025 model year, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA and an Acceptable rating from the IIHS. It included standard ADAS features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise was available but not included in late 2024 models.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The camera system's screen takeover was more annoying than helpful.